NASSCO and South Korean partners shake hands on shipbuilding projects

December 4, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics, and South Korean companies DSEC and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to collaborate on the ship design and manufacturing automation and technology in the US market.

As informed, the partnership aims to advance all three companies’ endeavors into commercial, naval, and other government shipbuilding projects. This includes the US Navy’s next-generation logistics ship (NGLS).

General Dynamics NASSCO has been a designer and builder of major naval auxiliary and commercial vessels for the US Navy. Since the 1950s, the San Diego-based shipyard has delivered more than 150 ships.

Today, NASSCO is advancing several high-profile naval programs, including construction of the US Navy’s 20-ship John Lewis-class (T-AO 205) fleet oilers. The company is also in the design phase for the navy’s next-generation submarine tender (AS-X) class.

NASSCO secures $1.7B deal to build pair of John Lewis-class oilers for US Navy

Vessels

“This partnership brings together three extraordinary companies with a track record of success and over 160 years of combined shipbuilding and design experience,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

“Having worked closely with DSEC over the last two decades and now welcoming Samsung Heavy Industries, there is great opportunity in leveraging our expertise and years of learning to execute on the next generation of shipbuilding.”

DSEC provides a complete range of shipbuilding and marine engineering services, including ship design, material procurement, quality management, shipyard operations, and development consulting, logistics support, and eco retrofit solutions. The firm has worked on U.S.-built ship designs and material packages, supporting a wide variety of commercial, naval, and government ship programs.

“This MOA strengthens our long-standing collaboration with General Dynamics NASSCO by combining the capabilities of Samsung Heavy Industries and we look forward to contributing greater value to the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry,” commented Seogyong Youn, president of DSEC.

“Through this tri-party collaboration, SHI is committed to leveraging its technological expertise, skilled workforce and production infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. shipbuilding industries,” added Joonyun Kang, director of SHI.