TOTE selects Hanwha Defense USA to build $269 million Medium Landing Ship

Hanwha Philly Shipyard named Hyuk Kim president effective Nov. 2, 2026, to lead its expansion and transition to dual-use shipbuilding.^1–2

The appointment puts Kim in charge of a yard with defense work taking shape alongside its commercial business. In July, the yard was awarded a Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel contract for the Missile Defense Agency. TOTE Services has also selected Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) to construct a Medium Landing Ship there for the Navy and Marine Corps.¹

Kim brings more than 25 years of naval and commercial shipbuilding experience, including senior roles at Hanwha Ocean and its predecessor, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. He succeeds David Kim, whom the company credits with helping Hanwha acquire the yard in 2024 and leading a near doubling of its workforce since then.¹

The appointment aligns with HDUSA's acquisition of majority ownership of the yard. Hyuk Kim reports directly to HDUSA Shipbuilding President Tom Anderson, a retired rear admiral who oversees all of HDUSA's U.S. shipbuilding operations.¹

TOTE Services executed a shipyard subcontract with Hanwha Philly Shipyard on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to build the first of a planned series of Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for the Missile Defense Agency. Just before, TOTE signed its own contract with the Maritime Administration to manage the program's construction. The ships will replace Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, tracking ships built in 1965 and 1970. The first is scheduled for delivery in 2030.¹

Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean, part of South Korea's Hanwha group, bought the yard in December 2024.⁵ The agency's ship reaches it through the Transportation Department: the program runs under an existing Maritime Administration (MARAD) contract vehicle with TOTE, as an interagency effort with the Department of War.¹ The yard already builds MARAD's National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, training ships for future mariners, under TOTE's management.^1–3 The MRIV keeps that hull design, with 70% overall commonality, and will use the same production line and workforce.¹

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced the award in July at a Philadelphia christening, calling the ship Golden Defender. He said it would support the President's Golden Dome missile defense system.² TOTE says it has since finalized terms, advanced the design and secured firm fixed pricing in less than three months.¹ Hanwha Defense USA Chief Executive Michael Coulter said in July that the yard is "continuing to evolve in complexity" as Hanwha pursues its "ambition to become a premier U.S. shipbuilder."²