South Korean shipbuilder announces boost for Ontario marine training in Hamilton

Mohawk College, Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards announced a three‑way agreement to create a shipbuilding training hub in Hamilton and to support construction of a 35‑metre naval training vessel planned for 2026.

Mohawk College in Hamilton announced a partnership with Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards to create a shipbuilding training hub at the Ontario Shipyards site. The agreement, announced on campus at Fennell Avenue West, includes a memorandum of understanding between Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards. Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipbuilder, will share knowledge and resources with Ontario Shipyards. The partners said the initiative is intended to support large‑scale shipbuilding and workforce training in Ontario. Key details: - The partnership involves Mohawk College, Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards and was announced at Mohawk’s Hamilton campus. - Glenn Copeland of Hanwha Defence Canada described the arrangement as worth "tens of tens of millions of dollars," without a specific investment breakdown. - Hanwha Ocean will help support construction of a 35‑metre naval training and recruitment vessel that Ontario Shipyards plans to build in 2026. - Mohawk and the companies signed a letter of intent to create a shipbuilding training hub with programs and credentials across trades such as welding, electrical, millwright, marine mechanics, robotics and logistics. - Mohawk said students will likely start working at the shipyard in about a year to 18 months and that the program could impact roughly 1,000 to 1,200 students when fully running. - Copeland said the companies plan personnel exchanges between Ontario and South Korea as early as this summer, and Hanwha Ocean is reported to be involved in a submarine project for the Royal Canadian Navy with the first delivery by 2032. Summary: The partners say the initiative aims to develop local shipbuilding skills and support growth in Ontario’s marine sector over the next decade. Mohawk expects students to begin practical work in roughly a year to 18 months, and the partners plan to build a 35‑metre training vessel in 2026. Specific investment breakdowns and some precise timelines were not provided.