HHIP launches first Subic-built ship

MANILA, Philippines — HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines (HHIP) rolled out yesterday its first newly built vessel, marking the official start of its full-scale shipbuilding operations.

HHIP held a launching ceremony for the Orion Jade, a 115,000-deadweight tonnage crude oil/product tanker, at the Subic shipyard.

The vessel is the first of four ships ordered by an Asia-based shipping company in December 2024. It is 250 meters in length, 42.4 meters in beam and 21.5 meters in depth.

Around 100 guests attended the ceremony to celebrate the launch of HHIP’s first vessel, including Im Dae-jun, president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines; Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Lee Sang-hwa, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines.

Go said the launch is a “testament to the Marcos Jr. administration’s efforts to attract strategic investments and ensure that these commitments materialise into projects that generate quality jobs, strengthen out industrial capabilities and create meaningful economic opportunities for Filipinos.”

For his part, Im expressed gratitude to the Philippine government, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and its suppliers and contractors for supporting the firm’s local operations.