▶ The launch ceremony for the second 3,200-ton corvette, Diego Silang, was held. ▶ The event was followed by the successful launch of the first vessel, Miguel Malvar, and is scheduled for delivery this September. ▶ "Based on the strengthened cooperation between our two countries, we will continue to actively support the modernization of the Philippine military." The second 3,200-ton corvette for the Philippine Navy — recognized as a major success in South Korea’s naval ship exports — was successfully launched off the coast of Ulsan. On March 27th (Thursday), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the launch ceremony for the second 3,200-ton corvette, Diego Silang, at its headquarters in Ulsan. This marks a significant milestone, following the successful launch of the first vessel, Miguel Malvar, in June of the previous year. The ceremony was attended by key Philippine military and government officials, including Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr., Deputy Secretary of Acquisitions at the Philippine Department of National Defense; Romeo S. Brawner, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, the Chief of Naval Staff; and Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, the Philippine Ambassador to South Korea. Officials from the company and Korean government included Sangkyun Lee, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Hyunki Cho, Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's Power Resource Office; Sangwoo Lee, Head of the Korean Submarine Project Division of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; and Rear Admiral Sangmin An, the Commander of the Navy Logistics Command. The Diego Silang vessel is an advanced corvetter, measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width. It boasts a cruising speed of 15 knots (approx. 28km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330km). The vessel is equipped with cutting-edge weapon systems, including close-in weapon systems, vertical launch systems, hull-mounted sonar, and search radars. Named after Diego Silang, a Filipino independence leader who fought against Spanish colonial rule and sought to establish an independent state, the Diego Silang vessel will soon undergo sea trials and final outfitting. It is scheduled for delivery to the Philippine Navy in September of this year. Previously, the Philippine government has been actively advancing a military modernization project aimed at enhancing its naval forces and strengthening overall defense capabilities. As part of this initiative, the Government placed orders with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for a total of 10 ships. This includes two frigates in 2016, two corvettes in 2021, and six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in 2022. At the launch ceremony, Sangkyun Lee, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, expressed, “We are very pleased to successfully launch the second patrol vessel, Diego Silang, following the first vessel for the Philippines. Based on the strengthened cooperation between our two countries, we will continue to actively support the modernization of the Philippine military.” Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr., Deputy Secretary of Acquisitions at the Philippine Department of National Defense, said, “Indeed, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' commitment to quality, innovation and excellence has played a pivotal role in advancing the modernization of our Philippine Navy,” and added, “This event also highlights the strength and enduring nature of partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.” Meanwhile, set to be delivered five months ahead of schedule, the first vessel, Miguel Malvar, which was launched in June last year, will be handed over to the Philippine Navy on March 31st. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has proven its global competitiveness not only in performance and cost, but also in punctual delivery—having delivered all vessels, including the 2,600-ton frigate in 2021 and the 3,200-ton patrol vessels, ahead of schedule. In addition, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is taking the lead in strengthening South Korea’s maritime defense industry competitiveness. Leveraging its cutting-edge naval technologies, the company is forging global partnerships, establishing local shipbuilding infrastructure, and standardizing technology transfer packages.

  ▶ Accelerating mine and infrastructure development in Ethiopia… Expanding large-scale equipment orders; ▶ Securing 57% market share in Ethiopia to solidify top ranking in quality and service; ▶ Pursuing sales expansion in emerging markets from the Middle East to Africa HD Hyundai Infracore is expanding its position in the African market by successfully attaining a major order for large excavators in Ethiopia. On the 25th (Tuesday), HD Hyundai Infracore (co-CEOs Cho Young-cheul and Oh Seung-hyun) announced that it recently had signed a contract to supply a total of 100 large excavators with two Ethiopian mine development companies. The machinery ordered this time comprises 36-ton crawler-type large excavators, a top-selling local model that recorded sales of 212 units in Ethiopia alone last year. The above products are scheduled to be supplied to customers in succession by June of this year. Despite intense competition from Japanese and Chinese rival products, HD Hyundai Infracore maintained its top-ranked position last year with a 57% market share in Ethiopia, leveraging the world-class quality and prompt service response of Develon. Following the Middle East, HD Hyundai Infracore is expanding its sales force to Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, to pursue sales expansion in emerging markets. Currently, the Ethiopian government is actively fostering the mineral industry using resources such as the country’s underground cobalt and lithium, and SOC projects are actively underway, such as the construction project of Africa's largest airport, which will be used by 110 million people annually, near the capital Addis Ababa. Therefore, construction equipment demand is expected to stay on a growth trajectory. Notably, the growth in sales of excavators and medium- and large-sized wheel loaders in Africa hit 34.8% from 13,500 units in 2023 to 18,200 units in 2024, which forebodes strong market growth for the product group. An HD Hyundai Infracore official said, “Ethiopia is a key market that accounts for more than a third of our African market sales,” and added, “Based on this, we will pursue market expansion into neighboring countries and aggressively establish our brand recognition throughout Africa.”  

However, the latest news from HHI, the largest shipbuilder in the world, represents a tipping point for maritime AM. From developing to installing and validating onboard 3D printing, the 3D Printing Digital Workshop now stands as the world’s first commercial vessel with onboard metal AM capabilities. (See original article below)   On-Ship 3D Printer From HD Hyundai-ABS Consortium Turns The Tide For Maritime 3D Printing