South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is eyeing a strategic leap into North Africa, as it seeks to secure long-term operating rights for Morocco’s flagship Casablanca shipyard. The latest global expansion effort comes at a time when South Korea’s largest shipbuilder aimed faces production bottlenecks at home amid a record orderbook.

With domestic shipyards operating at full capacity and a backlog of 451 vessels stretching nearly three years, HD Hyundai is turning to Morocco’s Atlantic coastline as its next major production base. The Casablanca facility — set to become Africa’s largest shipyard at 210,000 sq m — is being offered for 30-year operational rights by Morocco’s National Ports Agency. The site will include a crane, wharves, and an onshore dock.

Morocco, which currently has just 16 merchant vessels, aims to grow its fleet to 100 ships by 2040 to support trade growth. HD Hyundai sees this as a prime opportunity to capture local orders while using Morocco’s geographic advantage to attract business from European and transatlantic clients.

The initiative is part of HD Hyundai’s wider strategy to replicate its success in Vietnam and the Philippines by partnering with emerging maritime nations. The company is also deepening ties with India and the US, including recent deals with Cochin Shipyard and Edison Chouest Offshore.