Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Kuok Singapore Limited (KSL) to broaden cooperation beyond shipbuilding into offshore energy, marine logistics and digital infrastructure, reinforcing its long-term global growth strategy.
The company announced that it had signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with KSL to pursue joint business opportunities across a wide range of maritime and future-oriented industries.
The signing ceremony was attended by SHI Vice Chairman and CEO Choi Sung-an, KSL Chairman Ean Kuok and PaxOcean CEO Tan Thai Yong, along with senior executives from both companies.
Under the agreement, the two sides will collaborate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and energy-related projects, offshore facility maintenance and module fabrication, new shipbuilding, vessel conversion and repair, marine logistics support, and digital infrastructure development.
KSL is one of Asia’s leading diversified business groups, with operations spanning real estate, hospitality, shipping and logistics across Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and other regional markets. Its maritime portfolio includes offshore marine services provider POSH (PACC Offshore Services Holdings), shipping company Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), and shipbuilder PaxOcean, which operates shipyards in Singapore, China and Indonesia.
As part of the visit, KSL executives toured SHI’s Geoje shipyard, where they inspected the company’s robotics-based automated block fabrication facilities as well as production sites for LNG carriers and floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units. The visit highlighted SHI’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and technological expertise in high-value shipbuilding.
The two companies have already established a working relationship through tanker construction projects. In 2024 and 2025, SHI signed contracts with PaxOcean for the construction of eight crude oil tankers ordered by two global shipping companies. Under the arrangement, SHI is responsible for vessel design and procurement of major equipment, while construction is carried out at shipyards in Southeast Asia, creating a more flexible and efficient production network.
Industry observers expect the expanded partnership to strengthen both companies’ competitiveness by combining SHI’s engineering and shipbuilding expertise with KSL’s global maritime assets and regional production network. The collaboration is also expected to enhance supply chain resilience, improve project execution flexibility and support growing demand for LNG carriers and offshore energy infrastructure.
Beyond traditional shipbuilding, the agreement reflects both companies’ intention to explore new growth opportunities in digital infrastructure and integrated maritime services, positioning the partnership to respond to the evolving needs of the global shipping and offshore industries.
SHI said the strategic alliance will provide a foundation for long-term cooperation, enabling the two companies to leverage their complementary strengths while expanding their presence in high-value maritime and energy businesses worldwide.