Reviving the old glory of shipbuilding

On a recent visit to the Subic Shipyard, I had the privilege of standing atop the Goliath crane, 85 meters high. It conjured images of this colossal machine, which can lift hundreds of tons, hoist massive steel blocks and gently set them into place, like a giant LEGO toy, until they turn into a ship.

I again witnessed this drama unfold at the same site during its launch last Sept. 2. A crucial first step – steel-cutting – took place as a symbol of commencement. Steel-cutting marks the birth of a vessel. It is where concept becomes reality, blueprint takes form and the promise of an industry is set into motion. On that historic moment, the familiar sound of steel being cut echoed as loudly as it did a long time ago, heralding the beginning of a new era in Philippine shipbuilding.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s presence at the event underscored its relevance, for he recognizes the importance of reviving the Philippines’ proud heritage of vessel-making. His message resonated: “Today, we will begin reclaiming our rightful place among the world’s great shipbuilding nations.”

Centuries ago, the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade placed the Philippines at the center of global commerce, serving as a vital link between Asia and the New World. The Museo del Galeón in Manila, which is expected to reopen in 2026, once displayed a magnificent miniature galleon, a reminder of its storied past.

HD Hyundai’s investment brings maritime manufacturing back to Subic. After the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement entered into force last year, Korea emerged as one of the Philippines’ largest investors, a position made even stronger by Hyundai’s substantial commitment in Subic.

The choice of Subic for this renaissance is meaningful. Once the stage for the 1996 APEC Summit, Subic has always been more than a harbor; it is a symbol of openness to trade, business and diplomacy. Today, as part of the Luzon Economic Corridor, it is again poised to drive connectivity, supported by new infrastructure projects.

The HD Hyundai venture will generate numerous jobs, and thanks to the CREATE More Act, which provides fiscal incentives for enterprises that create employment on a large scale, the company is expected to have a crew of up to 2,000 by the end of this year, with numbers projected to significantly grow in the years ahead. In doing so, it will not only uplift local livelihoods but also solidify Subic’s position as a vital artery of growth.

The story of Hyundai itself reflects this pioneering and audacious spirit. Its founder, Chung Juyung, rose from the devastation of war with the conviction that industry could make a nation both rich and strong. His dream of making ships made history. In the early 1970s, with only a sketch of a dockyard and a photograph of Mipo Bay, Chung convinced London bankers to extend a loan, famously pointing to the image of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s turtle ship – developed in the late 16th century but clearly ahead of its time – on a 500-won bill as proof that Koreans had always excelled at innovation. From that bold gamble arose Hyundai’s first maritime facility that catapulted Korea to the top of this field.

The Subic Shipyard, however, is more than an economic catalyst. It reflects the close cooperation among three partners: Korea, the Philippines and the United States. HD Hyundai brings Korea’s shipbuilding expertise, Cerberus provides US capital support, while the Philippines offers its skilled workforce and strategic location. In many ways, Subic has come full circle: from serving as one of America’s key naval stations in the Pacific to its renewal as a hub for partnership and industrial development.

Since this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War – when Korean soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with Americans and Filipinos – this new synergy feels especially meaningful. In 1950, the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) set sail for Busan, giving the Philippines the distinction of being the first Asian country to send its troops.

Last Saturday, I joined Defense Secretary Teodoro at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to honor the PEFTOK veterans who made that monumental journey. As PEFTOK soldiers were dispatched in American transport ships during the war, today we find ourselves sailing together again – this time in the name of economic progress and maritime solidarity.

During his recent visit to the United States, President Lee Jae Myung highlighted Korea’s global leadership in shipbuilding – particularly in advanced shipyard modernization, green and digital technologies and world-class workforce training. These strengths have positioned Korea at the forefront of a changing maritime industry, where supply chain resilience and skilled manpower are critical.

This vision can also promote the Philippines’ quest to shine again as shipbuilders, with Subic as its heart and soul. Soon, vessels can once more be produced en masse, powered by Filipino craftsmanship, reviving the country’s maritime glory of old while opening a new chapter for deeper bilateral collaboration.

As we cut steel in Subic, we do more than shape ships. We affirm centuries of shared experience, we invest in co-prosperity and we chart a course for interaction that reaches far beyond the horizon. In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” The Philippines, together with its partners, now takes to the waters once again – not to sail the calm, but to master the waves.

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Lee Sang-hwa is the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines.