Hanwha Ocean signs landmark agreements to strengthen Canada’s sovereign defense industrial capacity, expand domestic shipbuilding workforce and accelerate large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario

Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the return of large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario and to strengthen Canada’s ability to deliver future naval programs.

In parallel, Hanwha Ocean, Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College have entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish an embedded shipbuilding training hub at Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton facility, aligned with the sector’s long-term workforce requirements.

Together, the agreements establish a coordinated industrial and workforce development framework intended to position Ontario as a scalable centre of excellence for defence-related shipbuilding and advanced marine manufacturing in the Great Lakes region.

Memorandum of Understanding Between Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards

Under the bilateral MOU, Hanwha Ocean will provide structured technical and operational support to Ontario Shipyards to strengthen production readiness and shipyard performance.

The cooperation will focus on:

• design and engineering
• production planning and construction sequencing
• quality management systems
• advanced shipyard processes and smart-yard best practices

These measures are intended to accelerate the reestablishment of large-scale vessel construction capabilities in Ontario, enhance production efficiency, and support long-term naval industrial readiness.

As part of this cooperation, Hanwha Ocean will provide support to the design and construction for a Training and Recruitment vessel that Ontario Shipyards will begin building in 2026, serving as a practical demonstration of next-generation shipbuilding capability in the province.

Subject to the award of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), Hanwha Ocean intends to pursue further strategic investment in Ontario, including the establishment of a dedicated shipbuilding training center and expanded industrial cooperation with Ontario-based suppliers.

Letter of Intent Between Hanwha Ocean, Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College

The trilateral LOI establishes a structured pathway to address persistent shortages in skilled trades and technical professionals critical to shipbuilding.

The collaboration will focus on:

• establishing an integrated training hub embedded within Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton Shipyard
• developing industry-led credentials and specialized shipbuilding certifications
• supporting apprenticeship and co-op pathways aligned with production requirements
• exploring applied research in automation, robotics ad digital manufacturing

Under this framework:

• Mohawk College will lead academic programming across skilled trades and technology disciplines including welding, electrical, millwright, marine mechanics, robotics, logistics, and non-destructive evaluation.
• Ontario Shipyards will provide facilities and direct workforce integration aligned with its production and expansion plans.
• Hanwha Ocean will contribute technical advisory support and access to its global industrial networks to align training with international standards and operational best practices.

Strengthening Ontario’s Role in Canada’s Marine Defense Ecosystem

By integrating industrial modernization with structured workforce development, the partnership aligns with Ontario’s advanced manufacturing strategy and Canada’s broader objective to strengthen sovereign defense industrial capability.

The coordinated framework is expected to:

• generate and sustain high-quality skilled employment
• expand Ontario-based marine and defense supply chains
• increase participation of regional small and medium-sized enterprises
• strengthen Canada’s domestic capacity to construct, maintain and sustain complex naval platforms

Over the long term, the initiative is designed to position the Golden Horseshoe and the broader Great Lakes region as a nationally significant hub for advanced marine manufacturing and shipbuilding.

“Our objective is not simply to transfer expertise, but to embed Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding processes and operational know-how directly into Ontario Shipyard operations. By doing so, we are strengthening Canada’s domestic industrial base, supporting high-quality Canadian jobs, and ensuring long-term workforce readiness. This partnership reflects our commitment to building sustainable submarine construction and sustainment capacity in Canada, fully aligned with the objectives of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.”

Hee-Chul Kim, President and CEO, Hanwha Ocean

“At its core, this partnership is about people. With Hanwha Ocean working alongside our teams and Mohawk College training the next generation in a live shipyard, we are building the Canadian workforce that will deliver and sustain Canadian ships for decades to come. That is how sovereign capacity is created. This partnership activates Ontario’s industrial strength in direct support of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Canadian Navy and creates meaningful long-term careers for Canadians.”

Shaun Padulo, President and CEO, Ontario Shipyards

“Mohawk College believes in the strength and power of industry-led learning. By working alongside Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards, we are creating an environment where expertise, innovation, and education come together to support workforce development. This collaboration will strengthen advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding capability in Canada and help build the skilled talent required for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marine sector.”

Paul Armstrong, President, Mohawk College

Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean is a leading global shipbuilder with more than four decades of experience in complex naval and commercial shipbuilding programs. Supported by its large-scale, integrated shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, that spans 5-square kilometers and has more than 31,000 employees, the company combines proven industrial capacity with operational experience to deliver modern, in-service naval platforms backed by a resilient through-life support model.

Since its establishment in 1973, Hanwha Ocean has delivered more than 1,400 vessels worldwide, and has built deep expertise in the design, construction, and sustainment of submarines and surface combatants for the Republic of Korea Navy. The company builds approximately 45 commercial and naval ships each year.

For more information, visit: www.hanwhaocean.com

Ontario Shipyards 

Ontario Shipyards is the largest Canadian ship repair and shipbuilding company on the Great Lakes, with major shipyards in Hamilton, Port Weller and Thunder Bay. For decades, we have delivered complex vessel life extensions, refits and in-service support for the Canadian Coast Guard and for the commercial fleet that keeps the country’s economy moving. Our job is simple. Keep critical Canadian ships safe, operational and available when they are needed.

We are making the investments to bring continuous large-scale shipbuilding back to Ontario. We are modernizing our facilities, introducing advanced manufacturing and rebuilding the skilled trades and technical workforce this country will need for the next generation of fleets. In doing so, we are activating Ontario, the industrial heartland of Canada, in support of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Royal Canadian Navy.

For more information, visit: onshipyards.com

Mohawk College  

Mohawk College is a nationally recognized leader in applied research and education. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, the college serves more than 29,000 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students annually across four main campuses. It offers nearly 200 industry-led programs spanning health, technology, aviation maintenance, skilled trades and climate action, and operates living classrooms embedded within industry partner sites. Since opening in 1967, more than 175,000 students have graduated from Mohawk College.

For more information, visit: mohawkcollege.ca