HD Hyundai Robotics Expands Smart Shipyard Push with Chouest Group Welding Automation Deployment

HD Hyundai Robotics, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has made a full-scale entry into the U.S. shipyard automation market through a strategic robotic welding order from Chouest Group. The development marks a key milestone in expanding advanced shipbuilding automation technologies across North America under the broader MASGA initiative.

The entry has been led by HD Hyundai Robotics USA, based in Duluth, Georgia, which coordinated business development and project execution with Chouest Group shipyards. The company said the collaboration represents a practical deployment of automation solutions in real shipyard environments.

HD Hyundai Robotics announced that it has secured an order for its robotic welding system, ArcLift GO, which will be deployed across multiple shipyards in North and South America, including facilities in Louisiana and Brazil operated by Chouest Group.

The U.S. shipbuilding industry is currently facing a structural shortage of skilled welders, which has increasingly impacted productivity and delivery timelines. In response, automation and robotics solutions are being adopted to complement human labor and improve production efficiency across shipyards.

HD Hyundai Robotics positions ArcLift GO as a scalable solution designed to address these challenges through phased automation, combining process optimization with gradual integration into existing shipyard workflows.

The ArcLift GO system delivers consistent welding quality while reducing reliance on scarce skilled labor. It is built on HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding expertise and uses a Plug-in & Play design with intuitive software to simplify operation in complex production environments.

The system allows even relatively inexperienced operators to manage multiple robotic units simultaneously, enabling shipyards to maintain stable output despite workforce constraints. This is particularly important as global shipbuilding demand continues to increase.

The order also represents HD Hyundai Robotics’ first major robotic welding deployment in the U.S. shipbuilding sector, providing a reference project for broader expansion across North American shipyards.

The company stated that real-world deployment at Chouest Group facilities strengthens its position within the U.S. maritime supply chain and demonstrates the reliability of its automation technology in operational conditions.

Building on this milestone, HD Hyundai Robotics plans to deepen collaboration with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and explore additional opportunities tied to the MASGA initiative and broader Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.

The company also aims to expand its global shipbuilding automation footprint by leveraging references gained from U.S. deployments, positioning itself as a long-term partner in the industry’s transition toward robotics-driven production systems.

Meanwhile, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering is also exploring joint cooperation opportunities in the United States, including potential commercial vessel construction projects and deeper integration of robotics into shipbuilding workflows.