Hanwha Ocean held high-level talks with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax on a wider naval partnership in Canada. The discussions covered naval sustainment, workforce development, industrial participation, supply chain development, and facility modernization.

Both companies also shared an interest in supporting Canada’s sovereign submarine capability, with a focus on sustainment, industrial participation, and capability development. The talks pointed to a broader partnership model rather than a basic builder-supplier arrangement, combining Hanwha Ocean’s naval engineering experience with Irving Shipbuilding’s role in Canada’s shipbuilding base.

Over the past four decades, Hanwha Ocean has built submarines and surface vessels for the Republic of Korea Navy, including the Jang Bogo-class, Sohn Won-yil-class, and Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class submarines. Its naval portfolio also includes KDX-III Aegis destroyers, frigates, escort vessels, and auxiliary ships, supported from its Geoje shipyard.

Based in Halifax, Irving Shipbuilding is a key contractor under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The company is building major combat vessels for the Royal Canadian Navy, works with more than 700 Canadian firms, and is upgrading its yard for long-term production. Its current programs include Arctic and offshore patrol ships, Halifax-class frigate life extension and maintenance, and the River-class destroyer program.