Vigor Marine Group, Samsung Heavy Industries to Pursue Pacific Northwest Advanced Maritime Training Center
Shipbuilding and Maintenance and Modernization leaders sign joint development agreement as part of U.S.-Korea Shipbuilding Partnership Center Opening
Vigor Marine Group (VMG) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced their intent to develop an advanced training center focused on maritime trades in the Pacific Northwest, as part of the launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center today. The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between the two companies calls for the “establishment and infrastructure development of the training center,” as well as collaboration on curriculum, innovative technology and marketing. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen the maritime industrial base in support readiness across the U.S. maritime sector.
“Today’s announcement represents an important evolution in our growing relationship with Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world’s leading and most technologically advanced shipbuilders,” said VMG CEO Francesco Valente. “Workforce remains one of the key challenges our industry faces and partnering with SHI both supports more pathways into maritime trades and adds the important layer of new technology. Our industry is ever changing and expertise in newer technologies will enable us to make our work safer and find efficiencies that help us better support our customer’s mission.”
SHI and VMG have been working through the first half of 2026 on the overall design for a training center in the Pacific Northwest, including on the location, types of trades to include at launch and the education partner to lead the training itself. This JDA is a foundational part which allows the parties to work through the next steps over the coming weeks.
VMG has a long history of supporting and hosting maritime trades education, including through partnerships with Portland Community College and South Seattle College, as well as the Virginia Ship Repair Association. As a national leader in maritime maintenance and modernization, the company is focused on securing a long-term workforce pipeline which enhances our capabilities, as well as advancing toward future technologies which will support evolving customer needs for years to come.
Vigor Marine Group is a values-driven, established, differentiated, solutions provider with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. With operations in five locations, the family of companies employs approximately 2,700 people in the Pacific Northwest, Virginia and California. Vigor Marine Group’s spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make it a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors, offering advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Coast Guard, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more. Vigor Marine Group strives to be a positive, regenerative force for good in the lives of its employees and in the community. For more information, visit vigormarine.com
About Samsung Heavy Industries
Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI), a core subsidiary of the Samsung Group, stands as one of the world's leading shipbuilders. Established in 1974, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of engineering and construction, solidifying its position as a top shipbuilder in South Korea. The company's expertise lies in the engineering, procurement, construction, and delivery of a wide range of vessels and offshore facilities. SHI is particularly recognized for its capabilities in building highly technical, high-value-added ships, including: LNG Carrier, Container Ship, FPSO, FLNG, etc. SHI is a key innovator in the industry and has a history of developing and building "world's first" products, such as the Arctic Shuttle-Tanker and FLNG, which have opened up new markets. With the recent intensification of global efforts to address environmental issues and the transition to the future ship era with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Samsung Heavy Industries is leading the future of the shipbuilding and offshore industry by applying ICT to its business to implement Digital Shipyard and focusing on ship technology development, including autonomous ships and low- and zero-carbon fuel-powered ships.
Benton Strong,
Director, Public Affairs