Hanwha Ocean showcases submarine capabilities to Ontario minister

(Hanwha Ocean)

Hanwha Ocean Co. stepped up its bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) by showcasing its submarine construction capabilities to Ontario’s minister of economic development on Thursday.

According to Hanwha Ocean on Friday, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade Victor Fedeli visited the company’s Geoje shipyard, where he was briefed on the design and production process of the submarine model proposed for the CPSP.

Fedeli represents the Nipissing riding in the provincial legislature.

Hanwha Ocean also outlined industrial cooperation plans related to Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB), a key requirement of Canada’s submarine program, and highlighted expected investment and job creation effects across Canada, including Ontario.

The company said it plans to pursue partnerships aimed at supporting job creation and industrial development in Ontario, adding that such efforts could support its bid for the CPSP contract.

During the visit, Fedeli toured production automation facilities using welding robots and boarded the Jang Yeong-sil, a submarine launched last year as part of the Jangbogo-III Batch II program, to review its capabilities.

“Discussions with Ontario’s industrial sector demonstrate our commitment to building sustainable submarine construction, maintenance, and repair capabilities in Canada,” said Hanwha Ocean Chief Executive Officer Kim Hee-cheul.

Fedeli, in the meantime, visited the Busan office of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.’s naval shipbuilding division on Thursday to discuss partnerships as well as technological and personnel exchanges.