General Dynamics’ U.S. shipbuilding arm, NASSCO, entered into a tri‑party memorandum of agreement on December 3, 2025 with South Korean firms DSEC Co., Ltd. and Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. The deal combines NASSCO’s long‑standing experience in designing and building naval auxiliary vessels with DSEC’s ship‑design and engineering expertise and Samsung’s advanced manufacturing and automation capabilities.
The partnership is aimed at accelerating ship design, manufacturing automation, and technology transfer for both U.S. Navy and commercial projects, with a particular focus on the Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program. By leveraging the combined capabilities of the three companies, the alliance seeks to shorten delivery timelines, reduce costs, and enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which has struggled with supply‑chain disruptions and a shrinking skilled‑labor pool.
NASSCO brings more than 150 vessels delivered since the 1950s and current projects such as the John Lewis (T‑AO 205) fleet oilers and the Submarine Tender (AS‑X) class design. DSEC has over three decades of experience working on U.S. ship designs, while Samsung Heavy Industries is a global leader in LNG carriers, drillships, and offshore platforms, known for its high‑automation production lines. Together, the trio can integrate cutting‑edge design tools, advanced manufacturing processes, and proven U.S. shipbuilding know‑how.
Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, said the collaboration “brings together three extraordinary companies with a track record of success and over 160 years of combined shipbuilding and design experience. Leveraging our expertise and years of learning will enable us to execute on the next generation of shipbuilding.” Seogyong Youn, president of DSEC, added that the 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.” Joonyun Kang, director of Samsung Heavy Industries, noted that the tri‑party collaboration “is committed to leveraging its technological expertise, skilled workforce and production infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. shipbuilding industries.”
For General Dynamics, the agreement signals a strategic expansion of its Marine Systems segment, positioning the company to capture a larger share of future naval and commercial contracts. The alliance also provides a pathway to secure bids for the NGLS program, where the U.S. Navy seeks medium‑sized at‑sea resupply ships capable of operating in contested environments. By integrating advanced design and automation, the partnership could reduce lead times and lower unit costs, giving General Dynamics a competitive edge against Asian shipbuilders that currently dominate the global market.
The collaboration is expected to begin joint design work in the coming months, with the first integrated ship design proposals slated for presentation to the Navy in 2026. If successful, the partnership could secure the first NGLS contract award, creating a new revenue stream for all three companies and reinforcing the U.S. shipbuilding industry’s resilience against global supply‑chain and workforce challenges.
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