HD Hyundai marks a milestone with the record delivery of its 5,000th vessel

By Admin

20 Nov, 2025

A Landmark Achievement in Global Shipbuilding
HD Hyundai has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the world’s first shipbuilder to construct and deliver 5,000 vessels an accomplishment that spans just over half a century since its very first ship was delivered in 1974. This remarkable feat not only highlights the company’s engineering excellence but also reinforces South Korea’s leadership in the global maritime industry.

The 5,000th Vessel: Diego Silang for the Philippine Navy
The milestone vessel, Diego Silang, marks the second offshore patrol vessel delivered to the Philippine Navy. This delivery underscores HD Hyundai’s continued commitment to building technologically advanced and mission-ready vessels that support global maritime security.

A Half-Century Journey Across the Oceans
Since its first delivery the 260,000 dwt Atlantic Baron VLCC HD Hyundai has supplied ships to more than 700 shipowners across 68 countries. The company’s three major shipbuilding units have contributed significantly to the milestone:
• HD Hyundai Heavy Industries: 2,631 vessels
• HD Hyundai Mipo: 1,570 vessels
• HD Hyundai Samho: 799 vessels

When combined, and assuming an average vessel length of 250 meters, the total length of all ships built by HD Hyundai is equivalent to more than 140 times the height of Mount Everest a staggering comparison that illustrates the scale of this achievement.

Leadership Vision: A Legacy of Maritime Excellence
HD Hyundai chairman Chung Kisun emphasized the significance of the accomplishment, stating that the 5,000-vessel milestone symbolizes the pride of Korea’s shipbuilding sector and the bold challenges that have shaped the global maritime landscape. As the grandson of founder Chung Ju-Yung, Kisun carries forward a legacy built on resilience, ambition, and innovation.

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Empire
Chung Ju-Yung’s inspirational journey remains at the heart of HD Hyundai’s success story. Born in 1915 to an impoverished family in Asan (in what is now North Korea), he was the eldest of eight children. At age 16, determined to escape poverty, he walked 200 km to Seoul financing his trek by selling one of his father’s cows. His lifelong remorse for this act later inspired a humanitarian gesture in 1998, when he sent 1,500 cattle to North Korea.

By 1937, Chung had saved enough to open a rice shop, but Japanese colonial authorities shut it down. Undeterred, he became a truck driver, then ran a delivery service, and later established a car repair garage. After World War II and Korea’s liberation, he founded the Hyundai empire, which expanded into construction, engineering, and automobiles by the late 1960s.

The Gamble That Changed Shipbuilding Forever
In 1972, Chung Ju-Yung made a bold move he secured an order for a VLCC from C.T. Tung, a leading Hong Kong shipowner, before he had even built his shipyard. Against all odds, the vessel was delivered on time, marking the birth of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding division. Less than three decades later, South Korea surpassed Japan to become the world’s top shipbuilding nation.

A Future Powered by Innovation and Legacy
Today, HD Hyundai’s 5,000th vessel milestone stands as a testament to decades of engineering brilliance, global trust, and visionary leadership. It reflects not just the growth of a company, but the rise of an entire nation as a leader in maritime technology and innovation. With continued focus on advanced shipbuilding, sustainability, and global partnerships, HD Hyundai is set to shape the future of the world’s oceans for decades to come.