General Dynamics NASSCO and South Korean Shipbuilding Leaders DSEC Co. and Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Sign Tri-Party Memorandum of Agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

General Dynamics NASSCO (NYSE:GD), DSEC Co. and Samsung Heavy Industries signed a tri-party Memorandum of Agreement to collaborate on ship design, manufacturing automation and technology for U.S. commercial, naval and government shipbuilding.

The collaboration targets programs including the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS), builds on decades of joint work, and leverages NASSCO's history (over 150 vessels delivered and current work on the 20-ship John Lewis (T-AO 205) class and future Submarine Tender (AS-X) design), DSEC's three decades of U.S. design support, and SHI's global production scale (constructing three FLNG units and 120 commercial ships).

Insights

Strategic Shipbuilding Analyst

Tri-party MOA aligns U.S. and South Korean shipbuilding capabilities to pursue commercial and naval programs, including the NGLS.

General Dynamics NASSCO, DSEC, and Samsung Heavy Industries commit to collaborate on ship design, manufacturing automation and technology transfer in the U.S. market, creating a combined offering across commercial, naval, and government segments. The agreement formalizes cooperation on projects such as the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Logistics Ship and leverages decades of joint experience in design and material packages.

Execution depends on formal contract awards, U.S. procurement rules, and successful integration of design and automation capabilities across the three firms; each step carries program-timing and compliance risks. Monitor award notices and procurement milestones for the U.S. Navy's NGLS, announcements of joint bids or teaming agreements, and any statements on technology-transfer or domestic production commitments over the next 12–36 months.

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), and its long-term partner, DSEC Co., Ltd., together with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) of South Korea announced today the signing of a tri-party Memorandum of Agreement – joining forces to collaborate on their industry leading ship design and manufacturing automation and technology in the U.S. market.

The partnership will advance all three companies' endeavors into commercial, naval, and other government shipbuilding projects, including the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS), and will leverage decades of common experience and success teaming in U.S.-South Korean shipbuilding.

General Dynamics NASSCO has been the U.S. leading designer and builder of major naval auxiliary and commercial vessels since the 1950s, delivering over 150 vessels to date. NASSCO is currently building the U.S. Navy's 20-ship class of John Lewis (T-AO 205) Fleet Oilers and is designing the U.S. Navy's future Submarine Tender (AS-X) class. Recent commercial programs include ConRo ships, containerships, and medium range (MR) tankers, all designed with DSEC and other South Korean partners, leveraging NASSCO's long history of cooperation with some of the world's leading ship designers and builders.

"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 Co., Ltd. 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. With over three decades of experience, DSEC has worked extensively on U.S. built ship designs and material packages throughout the U.S., 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," said Mr. Seogyong Youn, president of DSEC.

Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) is recognized as one of the world's leading shipbuilders, specializing in the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and delivery of advanced commercial vessels. Its portfolio includes liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC), container ships, drill ships, and floating production units for the oil and gas industry. SHI currently holds the top global market share in drill ships, LNG carriers, and floating LNG production units (FLNG). The company is actively engaged in the construction of three FLNG units and 120 commercial ships.

"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," said Mr. Joonyun Kang, director of SHI.

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SOURCE General Dynamics NASSCO

FAQ

What did General Dynamics NASSCO, DSEC and Samsung Heavy Industries announce on December 4, 2025 regarding GD?

They signed a tri-party Memorandum of Agreement to collaborate on ship design and manufacturing technology in the U.S., including work related to NGLS.

How does the MOA affect General Dynamics NASSCO's involvement in U.S. Navy programs (GD)?

The MOA formalizes collaboration on naval projects cited by NASSCO, including the Next Generation Logistics Ship and the Submarine Tender (AS-X) design.

What experience do the partners bring to the GD collaboration?

NASSCO cites over 150 vessels delivered, DSEC has three decades of U.S. design support experience, and SHI is building three FLNG units and 120 commercial ships.

Will the tri-party agreement with DSEC and SHI create new commercial ship opportunities for GD?

The MOA is intended to advance commercial and government shipbuilding collaboration in the U.S., potentially supporting commercial programs such as ConRo, containerships and MR tankers.

Is the Memorandum of Agreement a binding contract that guarantees work for GD (General Dynamics)?

The announcement describes a Memorandum of Agreement to collaborate; it does not state binding contract terms or guaranteed awards.

How might SHI's capabilities influence U.S. shipbuilding projects involving GD?

SHI intends to contribute technological expertise, production infrastructure and skilled workforce to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities alongside NASSCO and DSEC.