WASHINGTON, DC, July 28, 2026 – A nine-figure deal between Siemens and HD Hyundai aims to produce a digital shipyard model for U.S. and allied commercial and defense shipbuilders, with the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio serving as the technology backbone.
The digital model connects design, engineering, manufacturing, production planning, simulation, and lifecycle management through a single digital thread. The Siemens Xcelerator stack includes Designcenter for product engineering and ship design, Teamcenter for product lifecycle management and configuration control, Opcenter for manufacturing operations management, Plant Simulation for production planning and optimization, Simcenter for simulation and systems engineering, and Intelligence Center X for industrial AI orchestration.
HD Hyundai has deployed the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio across its shipbuilding operations. The new agreement extends that work into a commercial offering for shipbuilders at various stages of modernization, from traditional yards to advanced naval programs.
“As a leader in industrial AI, engineering, manufacturing, simulation, and operational software, Siemens is uniquely positioned to help transform how shipyards design, build and sustain the next generation of vessels,” said Tony Hemmelgarn, president and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software. “This strategic collaboration is about more than technology deployment; it’s about establishing a repeatable blueprint for modern shipbuilding. By combining Siemens’ digital capabilities with HD Hyundai’s operational excellence, we can help shipbuilders improve throughput, quality, and workforce productivity while strengthening U.S. shipbuilding competitiveness.”
Together, Siemens and HD Hyundai intend to conduct shipyard modernization assessments, develop modernization roadmaps, identify pilot deployments, engage government and commercial stakeholders, and create reusable digital shipyard offerings.
“AI is not merely a tool for improving productivity, but a transformative technology that is reshaping how ships are designed, built and operated,” said H.K. Kim, president & CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. “By integrating AI, digital twin and automation technologies into a connected digital shipyard environment, we aim to establish a future-ready model for the shipbuilding industry. Together with Siemens, we look forward to helping accelerate the digital transformation of shipyards worldwide, while contributing to the modernization and competitiveness of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.”
The agreement also supports the launch of a U.S.-Korea Shipbuilding Technology Cooperation Center in Washington, D.C. The center will focus on modernization strategies, adoption of digital shipyard technologies, and workforce and industrial development in the U.S. and allied markets.
“Establishing a practical blueprint creates an opportunity for shipyards to modernize operations while continuing to execute today’s critical programs,” said Brittany Ng, vice president, maritime, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “By connecting engineering, planning, and production through an integrated digital thread, we can help shipbuilders make more informed decisions earlier, reduce costly disruptions during construction and create a more connected path from concept to delivery.”
HD Hyundai is pursuing a multi-million-dollar investment strategy in the U.S. market alongside this agreement.
Source: Siemens
About Siemens Digital Industries Software
Siemens Digital Industries Software, a business unit of Siemens AG, provides industrial software, hardware and related services through the Siemens Xcelerator platform. The company’s portfolio includes product lifecycle management, electronic design automation, simulation and digital twin tools, manufacturing operations management and low-code application development. These products support design, engineering and production workflows across sectors such as aerospace and defense, automotive, electronics and semiconductors, machinery, medical devices and process manufacturing. Siemens Digital Industries Software traces its origins to 1963 as United Computing, later becoming Siemens PLM Software in 2007 before adopting its current name. It supplies technologies that help organizations manage product, process data, and improve development and manufacturing efficiency across a range of industrial applications.
Source: Siemens
About Siemens
Siemens Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, operates across industry, infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare sectors. Founded in 1847, Siemens AG has more than 175 years of history and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its U.S. operations are based in Washington, D.C. The company maintains 24 manufacturing sites in the United States and employs over 50,000 people, serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Siemens focuses on integrating digital and physical technologies to support customer needs in efficiency, urban development, and sustainable transportation. The company applies industrial AI – including generative AI – to use cases across sectors.
About HD Hyundai
HD Hyundai is a South Korean conglomerate that provides shipbuilding, offshore engineering, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, energy, and petrochemical services, along with smart energy and robotics solutions. The company serves industries such as marine mobility, oil and gas, petrochemicals, construction, infrastructure, and digital industrial systems. Founded in 1972 with its first shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, HD Hyundai has grown into a global industrial leader.