On the industrial waterfront in Hamilton, a new chapter in Canada’s marine defence story is taking shape.
On February 18, 2026, in a move that signals both strategic ambition and practical execution, Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at accelerating the return of large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario. At the same time, Hanwha Ocean, Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College entered into a trilateral Letter of Intent (LOI) to embed a shipbuilding training and innovation hub directly within Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton facility.
Taken together, the agreements outline more than cooperation—they establish a coordinated industrial and workforce development framework designed to position Ontario as a scalable centre of excellence for defence-related shipbuilding and advanced marine manufacturing in the Great Lakes region.
At the heart of it all is a single objective: strengthening Canada’s sovereign defence industrial capacity.
Rebuilding Large-Scale Shipbuilding in Ontario
Under the bilateral MOU, Hanwha Ocean will provide structured technical and operational support to Ontario Shipyards, enhancing production readiness and shipyard performance. The collaboration focuses on four key pillars:
- Design and engineering
- Production planning and construction sequencing
- Quality management systems
- Advanced shipyard processes and smart-yard best practices
The intent is clear: accelerate the re-establishment of large-scale vessel construction capability in Ontario while improving production efficiency and ensuring long-term naval industrial readiness.
For Ontario, this is about rebuilding capability at scale. For Hanwha Ocean, it is about embedding expertise, not merely advising from afar.
Hee-Chul Kim, President and CEO, Hanwha Ocean, framed the effort in unequivocal terms:
“Our objective is not simply to transfer expertise, but to embed Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding processes and operational know-how directly into Ontario Shipyard operations. By doing so, we are strengthening Canada’s domestic industrial base, supporting high-quality Canadian jobs, and ensuring long-term workforce readiness. This partnership reflects our commitment to building sustainable submarine construction and sustainment capacity in Canada, fully aligned with the objectives of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.”
As part of the agreement, Hanwha Ocean will also support the design and construction of a Training and Recruitment vessel that Ontario Shipyards will begin building in 2026. The vessel is intended as a practical demonstration of next-generation shipbuilding capability in the province—a tangible signal that Ontario is preparing to scale.
Subject to the award of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), Hanwha Ocean has indicated its intention to pursue further strategic investment in Ontario, including the establishment of a dedicated shipbuilding training centre and expanded industrial cooperation with Ontario-based suppliers.
An Embedded Workforce Model
The parallel LOI between Hanwha Ocean, Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the marine sector: skilled labour shortages.
Rather than treating workforce development as a secondary initiative, the partners are embedding training directly into the shipyard environment. The collaboration will focus on:
- Establishing an integrated training hub embedded within Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton Shipyard
- Developing industry-led credentials and specialized shipbuilding certifications
- Supporting apprenticeship and co-op pathways aligned with production requirements
- Exploring applied research in automation, robotics and digital manufacturing
Under this framework:
- Mohawk College will lead academic programming across skilled trades and technology disciplines, including welding, electrical, millwright, marine mechanics, robotics, logistics and non-destructive evaluation.
- Ontario Shipyards will provide facilities and direct workforce integration aligned with its production and expansion plans.
- Hanwha Ocean will contribute technical advisory support and access to its global industrial networks to ensure training aligns with international standards and operational best practices.
Shaun Padulo, President and CEO, Ontario Shipyards, emphasized the human dimension of the agreement:
“At its core, this partnership is about people. With Hanwha Ocean working alongside our teams and Mohawk College training the next generation in a live shipyard, we are building the Canadian workforce that will deliver and sustain Canadian ships for decades to come. That is how sovereign capacity is created. This partnership activates Ontario’s industrial strength in direct support of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Canadian Navy and creates meaningful long-term careers for Canadians.”
For Mohawk College, the initiative represents an evolution of industry-led education—one where classrooms and shop floors merge.
Paul Armstrong, President, Mohawk College, underscored that vision:
“Mohawk College believes in the strength and power of industry-led learning. By working alongside Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards, we are creating an environment where expertise, innovation, and education come together to support workforce development. This collaboration will strengthen advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding capability in Canada and help build the skilled talent required for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marine sector.”
Aligning with Canada’s Sovereign Industrial Objectives
By integrating industrial modernization with structured workforce development, the partnership aligns with Ontario’s advanced manufacturing strategy and Canada’s broader objective of strengthening sovereign defence industrial capability.
The coordinated framework is expected to:
- Generate and sustain high-quality skilled employment
- Expand Ontario-based marine and defence supply chains
- Increase participation of regional small and medium-sized enterprises
- Strengthen Canada’s domestic capacity to construct, maintain and sustain complex naval platforms
Over the long term, the initiative is designed to position the Golden Horseshoe and the broader Great Lakes region as a nationally significant hub for advanced marine manufacturing and shipbuilding.
In practical terms, the agreements reflect a deliberate model: modernize the yard, train the workforce, integrate global best practices, and anchor industrial capability domestically.
For Canada’s marine defence ecosystem, Hamilton may well become a proving ground—not only for ships, but for the next generation of sovereign industrial capacity.