A shipbuilding company from South Korea is pulling out of a joint project with Mohawk College and Ontario Shipyards in Hamilton due to Canada’s decision to purchase navy submarines from a German company instead of Hanwha Ocean. Despite this setback, the remaining partners are committed to continuing their initiative.
The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Mark Carney revealing that the government had selected German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the construction of Canada’s new submarine fleet. The defense program, valued at billions of dollars, is set to be the largest in Canadian history.
In February, Hanwha signed agreements with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College to collaborate on the development of a naval training and recruitment vessel. The partnership was contingent on Hanwha being chosen for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, which aims to replace the country’s aging submarine fleet.
While Hanwha has withdrawn from the project, Ontario Shipyards CEO Sean Padulo stated that the company will proceed with constructing the training vessel independently. Mohawk College also confirmed that their standalone agreement with Ontario Shipyards remains in place.
The impact of Hanwha’s withdrawal on the remaining partners is yet to be fully determined. Ted Kirkpatrick, Ontario Shipyards’ vice president of business development, emphasized the significant contributions Hanwha would have made in terms of knowledge transfer and training.
Hanwha expressed disappointment over not being selected for the submarine program but remains committed to fulfilling its obligations. The company had previously announced partnerships with Canadian entities to support its bid for the submarine project.
The collaboration between Hanwha, Mohawk College, and Ontario Shipyards would have encompassed various trade programs and disciplines, benefiting a significant number of students once fully operational.