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Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the return of large-scale shipbuilding in the province and to strengthen Canada’s ability to deliver future naval programs.

Under the bilateral MOU, Hanwha Ocean will support the design and construction for a 35-metre training and recruitment vessel that Ontario Shipyards will begin building in 2026.

The co-operation will focus on:

• Design and engineering.
• Production planning and construction sequencing.
• Quality management systems.
• Advanced shipyard processes and smart-yard best practices.

In addition to ramping up large-scale vessel construction in Ontario, the intention is to also enhance production efficiency and support long-term naval industrial readiness.

Ontario Shipyards, Canada’s largest ship repair and shipbuilding company on the Great Lakes, will build the long-sought training vessel at its Hamilton facility and the project is expected to produce upwards of 100 new jobs.

Over the long-term, the initiative is designed to position the Golden Horseshoe and the broader Great Lakes region as a nationally significant hub for advanced marine manufacturing and shipbuilding.

“We’re working to bring meaningful shipbuilding to Ontario and working with the provincial government and industry partners to make that happen,” said Ted Kirkpatrick Ontario Shipyards director of business development and government relations, adding, “we hope to cut steel this year,” in reference to the training vessel.

The partnership comes as Hanwha Oceans – one of the “Big Three” shipbuilders of South Korea, along with Hyundai and Samsung – is seeking a major contract with the Canadian government.

Hanwha is one of two firms in the running to be the main supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP); an initiative aimed at replacing aging navy vessels.

“Our objective is not simply to transfer expertise, but to embed Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding processes and operational know-how directly into Ontario Shipyard operations. By doing so, we are strengthening Canada’s domestic industrial base, supporting high-quality Canadian jobs, and ensuring long-term workforce readiness. This partnership reflects our commitment to building sustainable submarine construction and sustainment capacity in Canada, fully aligned with the objectives of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project,” said Hee-Cheul Kim, president and CEO, Hanwha Ocean.

Subject to the award of the CPSP, Hanwha Ocean intends to pursue further strategic investment in Ontario, including the establishment of a dedicated shipbuilding training centre and expanded industrial co-operation with Ontario-based suppliers.

In line with their training objectives, Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards also entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mohawk College. The aim is to establish an embedded shipbuilding training hub at Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton facility, aligned with the sector’s long-term workforce requirements.

The trilateral LOI establishes a structured pathway to address persistent shortages in skilled trades and technical professionals critical to shipbuilding.

“Together, the agreements establish a co-ordinated industrial and workforce development framework intended to position Ontario as a scalable centre of excellence for defence-related shipbuilding and advanced marine manufacturing in the Great Lakes region,” stated a Hanwha Ocean press release.

Under the plan with Mohawk College:

• Ontario Shipyards will provide facilities and direct workforce integration aligned with its production and expansion plans.
• Mohawk College will lead academic programming across skilled trades and technology disciplines including welding, electrical, millwright, marine mechanics, robotics, logistics and non-destructive evaluation.
• Hanwha Ocean will contribute technical advisory support and access to its global industrial networks to align training with international standards and operational best practices.

“With Hanwha Ocean working alongside our teams and Mohawk College training the next generation in a live shipyard, we are building the Canadian workforce that will deliver and sustain Canadian ships for decades to come,” said Shaun Padulo, president and CEO, Ontario Shipyards.

“That is how sovereign capacity is created. This partnership activates Ontario’s industrial strength in direct support of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Canadian Navy and creates meaningful long-term careers for Canadians.”