Vigor Marine Group, Samsung Heavy Industries to develop advanced maritime training center

Vigor Marine Group CEO Francesco Valente:“We understand the Navy’s evolving needs and have built a track record of delivering results in support of our national defense.”

Vigor Marine Group (VMG) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have announced their intent to develop an advanced training center focused on maritime trades in the Pacific Northwest. Announced at yesterday’s launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center, the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between the two companies calls for the “establishment and infrastructure development of the training center,” as well as collaboration on curriculum, innovative technology and marketing. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen the maritime industrial base in support readiness across the U.S. maritime sector.

“Today’s announcement represents an important evolution in our growing relationship with Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world’s leading and most technologically advanced shipbuilders,” said VMG CEO Francesco Valente. “Workforce remains one of the key challenges our industry faces and partnering with SHI both supports more pathways into maritime trades and adds the important layer of new technology. Our industry is ever changing and expertise in newer technologies will enable us to make our work safer and find efficiencies that help us better support our customer’s mission.”

SHI and VMG have been working through the first half of 2026 on the overall design for a training center in the Pacific Northwest, including on the location, types of trades to include at launch and the education partner to lead the training itself. This JDA is a foundational part which allows the parties to work through the next steps over the coming weeks.

VMG has a long history of supporting and hosting maritime trades education, including through partnerships with Portland Community College and South Seattle College, as well as the Virginia Ship Repair Association. The company says that, as a national leader in maritime maintenance and modernization, it is focused on securing a long-term workforce pipeline which enhances its capabilities, as well as advancing toward future technologies which will support evolving customer needs for years to come.