US-Greece-South Korea: ‘Mega Deal’ on Shipbuilding and Energy Cooperation

_{Photo: ONEX Neorion Shipyards}

A major cooperation agreement between the Greek ONEX Shipyards & Technologies and Hanwha Power Systems was signed on Wednesday, February 25, in the presence of Greek foreign minister George Gerapetritis and U.S. deputy secretary of state Michael Rigas.The trilateral agreement linking the United States, Greece and South Korea was signed at the US department of transportation, marking a new phase in transatlantic shipbuilding and energy cooperation.

Officials said the ONEX-Hanwha deal fits into a broader strategy linking shipbuilding, energy infrastructure and transatlantic cooperation, aimed at strengthening the industrial base and deepening strategic ties between the United States, Greece and South Korea.

According to the Greek foreign minister, the ONEX-Hanwha agreement goes beyond the boundaries of shipbuilding, opening prospects for large-scale energy projects. He also recalled the historic role played by Greek shipowners by supporting Korean shipyards after the World War II and helping build an industrial titan.

ONEX, which operates shipyards in Greece, said in a press release that the deal lays the foundations for an industrial cooperation, optimization of shipbuilding production, and for the development