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Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s Special Envoy for Defense Procurement, who is responsible for the approximately 60 trillion won ‘Canadian Next-Generation Submarine Program (CPSP),’ visited HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Center (GRC) in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, on the 4th.

In the race to win Canada’s submarine contract, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean have joined forces as one team to challenge Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Minister Fuhr is the senior official in charge of overseeing the Canadian government’s defense procurement strategies. After visiting Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard on the 2nd to examine manufacturing facilities, Minister Fuhr further evaluated South Korea’s shipbuilding expertise by touring HD Hyundai’s R&D center.

The minister’s team thoroughly reviewed a model of the Changbo III-class Batch-I (Shin Chae-ho ship) on the first level of the GRC prior to capturing souvenir photographs in the foyer. Following a visit to the center’s cutting-edge facilities, Minister Fuhr reportedly said, “Wow!” and remarked, “It’s truly impressive. I felt as if I was in the future.”

This trip was organized to enable Canadian officials to personally assess the construction capabilities and technological expertise of domestic companies. At the GRC’s digital control center, Minister Fuhr was provided with an overview of HD Hyundai Marine Solution’s AI and big data-driven marine data system, ‘Ocean Wise,’ which tracks vessels worldwide in real time and enhances fuel efficiency while adhering to carbon emission reduction standards. The Canadian delegation reportedly demonstrated strong interest and posed many questions regarding the system.

Park Yong-yeol, head of the Vessel Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, “HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is a strategic partner that can provide long-term collaboration with the Canadian government. Leveraging our cutting-edge shipbuilding technology and business expertise, we have put forward several cooperative initiatives to address the performance, delivery, and industrial infrastructure improvement standards set by the Canadian government for the submarines.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian side has highlighted the ‘economic contribution’ element of this agreement. Previously, HD Hyundai announced group-wide plans to buy Canadian crude oil valued at trillions of won as part of detailed collaborative efforts.