By Brian Campued
“Today, we raise the sails once more.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday affirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring and revitalizing the Philippines’ global competitiveness in shipbuilding with the revival of the Subic shipyard in Zambales.
During the inauguration of the HD Hyundai Shipyard with the HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Industries and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines, Inc. (HHIP) at the Agila Southern Yard in Subic Freeport Zone, the President recalled that from 2014–2018, the country had been producing up to 2 million gross tons of ships yearly until the industry lost its momentum in 2019.
“Together with our partners, we are reviving shipbuilding in the country to strengthen industries, promote livelihood, and build a better, stronger future for the Philippines,” Marcos said in a speech.
Today, we will begin reclaiming our rightful place among the world’s great shipbuilding nations,” he added.
According to the Chief Executive, Hyundai’s investment is expected to expand the shipyard’s capacity from 1.3 million to 2.5 million deadweight tons, boosting its output to eight massive oil tankers annually.
It would also create more job opportunities for Filipino seafarers, with a goal of employing 4,300 Filipino workers by 2030. As of end-July 2025, HHIP employs a total of 1,200 employees.
In line with this, Marcos said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also strengthening its efforts to train Filipinos by awarding 25 more scholarship slots for Shielded Metal Arc Welding National Certificate (NC) I and 100 slots for enterprise-based training in Flux-Cored Arc Welding NC I.
“We now have 16 training programs covering every discipline—from marine electricity to gas or arc welding—so that the skills forged here meet the standards of any shipyard around the world,” he noted.
“Together, let us show the world that Filipinos have the skills, the vision to navigate the uncertain waters of an ever-changing world,” he added.
HD Hyundai will begin operations in Subic in January 2026, with a 10-year lease covering shipyard operations designed to support both offshore wind platform construction and vessel production.
The steel cutting ceremony symbolizes the start of the first vessel’s construction.
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