HD Hyundai Samho, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has agreed to supply four new port cranes to Washington United Terminals (WUT) at the Port of Tacoma in the US.
The contract forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise terminal operations and replace ageing infrastructure at WUT, a subsidiary of Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), South Korea’s shipping company.
The scope of the project includes two quay cranes, designed for loading and unloading containers from vessels, and two yard cranes, which handle containers within the terminal yard.
These cranes are expected to be delivered by 2028, with HD Hyundai Samho responsible for a turnkey project covering design, manufacturing, transportation, installation and commissioning.
WUT currently operates eight quay cranes at the Port of Tacoma. Four of these were originally supplied by HD Hyundai Samho in 1999.
The current order will replace two older quay cranes with new equipment and add two yard cranes, resulting in increased capacity and improved cargo-handling efficiency.
According to both companies, the updates are aimed at accommodating larger container vessels and enhancing operational reliability.
The order marks the entry of HD Hyundai Samho into the US port crane market under the Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation initiative known as the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA) project.
A HD Hyundai Samho official said: “The port crane order for the Port of Tacoma is a meaningful achievement that reflects the recognition of our technological expertise and quality competitiveness, built through a wide range of domestic and international projects.
“Going forward, we will support the MASGA project through the development of eco-friendly, high-efficiency port equipment.”
The company has supplied 20 port cranes to major US ports since 1985.
The announcement comes at a time when US authorities and operators are placing increased emphasis on supply chain resilience and security at ports.
Last year, HD Hyundai chairman Chung Kisun met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss South Korea-US shipbuilding industry cooperation, during which HD Hyundai Samho’s crane production capabilities were presented.
