Shipbuilding and Shipping Industry CEOs Gather to Devise Strategies in Response to Trump Administration 2.0 Policies 
9th Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore CEO Forum Held at SNU 


▲ Photo from the 9th Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore CEO Forum

Seoul National University announced that the 9th Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore CEO Forum, co-hosted by the SNU Lloyd’s Register Foundation Research Center and the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association, was held on April 26 at the university’s Gwanak campus in Seoul.

This year’s forum was convened to evaluate the potential impact of the U.S. shipbuilding and shipping policies under a possible second Trump administration on the Korean industry and to explore strategies for responding to such changes.

Launched in 2021 and now in its fifth year, the Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore CEO Forum serves to strengthen communication and cooperation among Korean shipbuilding and offshore industry stakeholders. CEOs and former executives of major companies attend the forum to discuss current industry challenges and future directions. The forum is currently chaired by Sam Hyun Kah, former Vice Chairman of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, with Professor Yonghwan Kim of SNU’s Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering serving as secretary.

This year’s event brought together approximately 40 participants, including Sang-kyun Lee, Co-CEO and President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Chairman of the Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Association; Hee-cheul Kim, CEO and President of Hanwha Ocean; Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register (UK); 25 current and former CEOs from the industry; Seung-ryeol Lee, Deputy Minister for Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Young-oh Kim, Dean of SNU College of Engineering; and other government officials and subject matter experts.

Given the rapidly evolving trade policies anticipated under a second Trump administration, participants noted that Korea has positioned shipbuilding as a key negotiation card. They also discussed how potential changes in the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) shipping policy stance could significantly alter the global shipping landscape. As such, the forum featured in-depth discussions on the current state of the industry and strategic responses by Korean companies.

Panelists participating in the keynote discussion shared the view that while the USTR’s newly announced shipping policy may not be strong enough to substantially undermine China’s shipbuilding sector, the situation does not warrant excessive optimism or concern. Instead, they emphasized the importance of a measured and steady response. Forum Chair Sam Hyun Kah commented, “While the U.S. administration's policy directions are unpredictable, we must carefully assess their actual impact on Korea’s shipbuilding and shipping industries and respond strategically to protect our national interests.”

Additionally, during the forum, participants agreed to establish a regular dialogue between the leadership of the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association and the Korea Shipowners’ Association to promote closer cooperation between the shipbuilding and shipping sectors.

[Contact Information]
Professor Yonghwan Kim, Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Seoul National University / +82-2-880-1543 / yhwankim@snu.ac.kr