An LNG carrier built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The shipbuilder and its holding company posted strong results last year. Photo courtesy of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (UPI) — South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Monday that the world’s largest shipbuilder almost tripled its 2025 earnings from a year earlier, driven by strong global demand for new vessels.
The Seoul-based company posted $12 billion in sales for 2025, up 21.4% from a year ago. Operating profit surged 188.9% to $1.39 billion.
Fourth-quarter revenue rose 29.6% year-on-year to $3.55 billion, while operating income soared 103.8% to $390 million.
Its sister companies, including HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Marine Engine, also delivered solid performances last year, bolstering the results of their holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
As a result, HD Korea Shipbuilding reported 2025 sales of $20.49 billion, up 17.2% year-on-year, with operating income jumping 172.3% to $2.67 billion.
The holding firm said its operating margin approached 15% last year, which enabled it to pay generous year-end bonuses to employees.
“Based on the competitiveness of each business division, solid performance continues across our affiliates, including shipbuilding and engine operations,” HD Korea Shipbuilding said in a statement.
“Building on a stable order backlog, we will enhance profitability through a selective order-taking strategy,” it added.
The share price of HD Korea Shipbuilding edged down 0.25% on the Seoul bourse on Monday, while that of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries went up 0.74%. HD Hyundai Marine Engine gained 3.38%.
HD Hyundai Samho is not publicly listed.