Princess Anne visits HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard to discuss potential cooperation strategies with HD Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Ki-sun on July 14.HD HYUNDAI
Britain's Princess Anne visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' headquarters in Ulsan on Tuesday, touring the Korean shipbuilder's construction facilities and engine plant as part of a broader effort by the British government to revitalize its domestic shipbuilding industry.
The Princess Royal was accompanied by Vice Adm. Sir Timothy Laurence and British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks. HD Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Ki-sun and senior executives received the delegation, discussing potential areas of cooperation between the two countries' shipbuilding and maritime sectors.
During the visit, Princess Anne inspected HD Hyundai's commercial and naval vessel construction yards and received briefings on existing partnerships with British defense contractors Rolls-Royce and Beaufort. Rolls-Royce has supplied its MT30 gas turbine to HD Hyundai since 2012 for integration into propulsion packages aboard Korean Navy frigates, including next-generation vessels currently in development. Beaufort, which manufactures survival equipment for naval crews, has supplied submarine life-saving systems and other vessel fittings to HD Hyundai since 2013.
“The United Kingdom is more than a partner country; it is a special partner that has been part of HD Hyundai’s journey from the beginning,” Chung said. “With our world-class technologies and shipbuilding capabilities, we will support the continued growth and development of the U.K.’s shipbuilding and maritime industries."
Princess Anne, then a member of the British Olympic Committee, shakes hands with HD Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung during his campaign to bring the 1988 Olympic Games to Seoul.HD HYUNDAI
The visit underscores growing British interest in partnerships with established Asian shipbuilders as the UK seeks to rebuild naval and commercial shipbuilding capacity at home.
HD Hyundai's relationship with the British Royal Family predates Tuesday's meeting. The company's late founder, Chung Ju-yung, received the Order of the British Empire in 1977 for his contributions to Korea-Britain trade, and met Princess Anne in London in 1983 during Seoul's campaign to host the Olympic Games.
