Philadelphia, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, leaders from Hanwha Ocean, and more than 300 guests for the christening of the TS State of Maine at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The $350 million National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, commissioned by the U.S. Maritime Administration, is the third of five being built at the Navy Yard and represents the next chapter in Philadelphia’s long history of shipbuilding.
As Governor Shapiro said yesterday, Pennsylvania is open for business — and the Commonwealth is committed to growing its economy and attracting more investment from South Korea and Hanwha across industries from life sciences to manufacturing to shipbuilding.
Over the past two years, the Shapiro Administration has invested more than $34 million in the Hanwha Philly Shipyard and surrounding Navy Yard to expand shipbuilding, create jobs, and build out infrastructure to keep our nation safe. The Administration has also launched the Pennsylvania-Hanwha Leadership (PHL) Task Force to expedite permits, strengthen the skilled workforce pipeline, and maximize Hanwha’s investment in Philadelphia.
Together, Hanwha and the Shapiro Administration are positioning the Navy Yard for dramatic growth — with the potential to expand to 5,000 jobs, including significant numbers of good-paying union jobs, and to increase the number of ships built in Philadelphia each year.
This event builds on the Shapiro Administration’s broader efforts to make the Philadelphia Navy Yard a hub for innovation and manufacturing. Recent investments include a $100 million expansion by Rhoads Industries supporting the U.S. Navy submarine program, $30 million through the PA SITES program, and a $6 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant in November 2024 to fund the Philly Shipyard Office and Material Logistics Expansion.
The Shapiro Administration is delivering real results and building on that momentum. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal calls for new and expanded investments to advance the 10-year Economic Development Strategy and boost Pennsylvania’s competitiveness.
Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured over $25.2 billion in private sector investment and created more than 11,200 new jobs — transforming communities and positioning Pennsylvania for sustained growth. These investments include $20 billion from Amazon, the largest single private investment in the Commonwealth’s history.
Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is delivering real results that position the Commonwealth to compete and win, attract investment, and create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.
See what people are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro’s commitment to the Philadelphia Navy Yard:
NBC 10: State and federal officials christen ship to train cadets at Navy Yard
CBS News Philadelphia: Ship christening for State of Maine vessel at Hanwha Shipyard in South Philadelphia
Fox 29: Philadelphia shipyard gets $5B investment to ramp up U.S. shipbuilding
The Philadelphia Inquirer: South Korean president tours Hanwha Philly Shipyard ahead of proposed $5 billion upgrade
Reuters: South Korea bets big on reviving troubled US shipbuilding to woo Trump
Breaking Defense: Hanwha to invest $5 billion to improve infrastructure at Philadelphia shipyard
The Korea Times: President attends naming ceremony at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia
Korea IT Times: Hanwha Group Unveils $5 Billion Investment in U.S. Shipbuilding Industry during Philadelphia Ceremony
The Korea Times: Hanwha to invest $5 bil. in Philadelphia shipyard to build naval vessels in US
