U.S.-Korea Shipbuilding Centers: Masters Academy Training & Consulting in 2026 - News and Statistics

Apr 18, 2026

Korea and U.S. to Establish Joint Shipbuilding Centers

According to a report from ChosunBiz, the Korean government has confirmed plans to establish a shipbuilding and marine technology cooperation center in Washington, D.C. A second location is anticipated to be in Texas.

A consortium consisting of the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering and the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association was selected as the final operator for the project. The institute will lead research and development efforts, with the association serving as a joint research and development institution.

The centers will focus on training personnel and improving productivity at shipyards through a program named the Masters Academy. Initial activities will involve surveying demand within the United States. A committee will then review requests for training and consulting before arranging for Korean experts to be dispatched and training schedules to be set.

A primary objective is workforce development. Korean personnel will provide on-site training at American shipyards for periods ranging from approximately one to three months, followed by a feedback process. Three major Korean shipbuilding companies are expected to support the initiative by sending their master artisans for short durations.

Productivity consulting is another key component. Upon request, Korean experts will visit U.S. shipyards for assessments lasting from two weeks to a month. Following these visits, the center will provide consulting reports with plans for productivity improvements. All U.S. shipyards are eligible for this service.

The Masters Academy also plans to invite around ten production workers from American shipyards to Korea for apprenticeships at Korean shipyards, aiming to enhance the quality of their training.

The selection of Washington, D.C., for one center is noted as being due to the political variables intertwined with industrial cooperation in shipbuilding. The potential Texas location is considered due to the presence of a university specializing in shipbuilding and ocean engineering, which would aid research and the identification of cooperation items.

With the operator now chosen, project momentum is expected to increase. Staff from the selected organizations have already been sent to the United States for preliminary work, and plans are in place to hire local employees. While the schedule may adjust based on local conditions, core activities are definitively planned for the second half of this year. Additional activities will include information gathering and international seminars.

A government official stated that specific projects will be operated in consideration of the cooperation needs of U.S. entities and Korean corporations.

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