Group 1 - The core project "MASGA" (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) involves a specialized shipbuilding fund of up to $150 billion, aimed at enhancing U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation [2][3] - The three major Korean shipbuilders, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, along with the Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Equipment Association (KOSHIPA), have established a task force to discuss the implementation of the MASGA project [2][3] - The fund is part of Korea's commitment to a total investment of $350 billion in the U.S., with the shipbuilding fund representing 43% of this total, making it the largest specialized fund in a single industry under the U.S.-Korea trade agreement [3] Group 2 - The fund will support various areas including new shipyard construction, talent development, shipbuilding, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), although specific operational details are yet to be disclosed [3][4] - Hanwha Ocean is noted for its proactive investment strategy in the U.S., having acquired 100% of the Philly shipyard for $100 million, aiming to enhance its shipbuilding capacity significantly by 2035 [6][7] - HD Modern Group is also accelerating its collaboration with U.S. shipbuilders, having signed memorandums with major U.S. companies to enhance shipbuilding capabilities and reduce costs [9][10] Group 3 - The task force's role includes gathering industry trends and sharing information with the U.S. side, potentially evolving into a formal communication channel to reflect industry needs [3][4] - The Korean government emphasizes the importance of identifying quality projects to ensure the effective deployment of the fund, alongside securing necessary funding [4] - Samsung Heavy Industries is exploring various cooperation opportunities with U.S. shipbuilders, including joint construction and business expansion [10]

Core Viewpoint - The South Korean economy should view the U.S. government's shipbuilding industry revitalization plan as an opportunity for its own shipbuilding sector, suggesting the selection of specific business areas for collaboration, such as LNG ships, commercial ships, naval ship MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), and next-generation vessel cooperation [2] Group 1: U.S. Shipbuilding Policy - The U.S. Shipbuilding Act (SHIPS for America Act) mandates an increase in the U.S. national strategic merchant fleet to 250 vessels, with 15% of U.S. LNG exports to be transported by U.S.-built ships by 2047 [2] - The U.S. Navy plans to build 364 new ships over the next 30 years, driven by the retirement of existing vessels and new construction programs [2] - By 2037, U.S. ship orders in commercial, LNG, and naval sectors are projected to reach between 403 and 448 vessels due to the U.S. government's shipbuilding revitalization policies [2] Group 2: Strategic Recommendations for South Korea - In the LNG ship sector, South Korea should prepare for localization as U.S. LNG exports increase, while also developing public-private partnerships to expand orders for medium-sized vessels [2] - For U.S. Navy ship MRO, South Korea should start with hull repair tasks to build trust before expanding into more complex projects, eventually aiming to participate in weapon system maintenance [3] - In the new naval vessel sector, South Korea should focus on transport and support ships, enhancing its military vessel capabilities for potential overseas exports [3] Group 3: Collaborative Efforts and Market Entry - South Korea and the U.S. should negotiate on improving production efficiency in U.S. shipyards and the restructuring of land and infrastructure acquired by South Korean firms [3] - To facilitate South Korean shipbuilders' entry into the U.S. market, it may be beneficial to relax restrictions on the export of shipbuilding technology, excluding core technologies [3] - A strategic approach to ensure labor force and supply chain stability is essential for South Korea's operations in the U.S. market, alongside ongoing discussions to maintain consistency in U.S. aid policies [4]