South Korea’s HD Hyundai becomes world’s first shipbuilder to deliver 5,000 ships

South Korea’s HD Hyundai on Thursday (20 November) said it has become the world’s first shipbuilder to build and deliver 5,000 ships, marking half a century since its first vessel delivery in 1974.

The 5,000th vessel delivered by HD Hyundai is the Diego Silang, the second offshore patrol vessel built for the Philippine Navy.  It was launched in March and delivered to the Philippine Navy in October. HD Hyundai has secured contracts to build a total of ten naval vessels for the Philippines.

HD Hyundai announced that it held a ceremony on 19 November at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan to celebrate delivering a total of 5,000 ships. 

Since delivering its first vessel—the 260,000-tonne Very Large Crude Oil Carrier Atlantic Baron—in 1974, the company said it has provided ships to more than 700 shipowners across 68 countries, culminating in the latest delivery of the Diego Silang.

In detail, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered 2,631 vessels, HD Hyundai Mipo has delivered 1,570 vessels, and HD Hyundai Samho has delivered 799 vessels. 

“This record-setting achievement has not been matched even by European or Japanese shipbuilders, despite their much longer shipbuilding histories,” the company said. 

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Kisun, said: “Our 5,000-vessel milestone represents the pride of Korea’s shipbuilding  industry and the history of bold challenges that have reshaped the global maritime paradigm.” 

“Building on this shared legacy of innovation, we will move confidently toward the next 5,000 vessels—and the next half century.”

Photo credit: HD Hyundai
Published: 24 November, 2025