A significant electrical fire at the HD Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea lasted nearly nine hours, causing extensive damage. The blaze began around 11:20 p.m. on July 28 in an underground tunnel housing a power substation, just hours after workers left for summer vacation. Fortunately, the timing helped prevent any casualties.
Local fire officials reported that the shipyard initially attempted to extinguish the fire internally, but it quickly escalated. Firefighters remained on-site throughout the night, finally declaring the fire under control by 8:30 a.m. on July 29. While the substation sustained severe damage, the transformer appeared unharmed. However, experts speculate that the existing wiring may not be salvageable.
All power to the shipyard has been shut off as officials assess the damage and plan repairs. Work is scheduled to resume on August 8, but it’s uncertain when operations will actually restart, given the extent of the damage. The Samho yard is crucial to HD Hyundai’s operations, accounting for 13% of the company’s assets, and is involved in major projects, including LNG carrier construction for Nakilat.
As of July 24, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering reported orders for 82 ships valued at $11.22 billion in 2025, indicating a robust backlog exceeding $74 billion.
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