1949
1949
Born, 5 December
Korea, four years after liberation. The sea is not yet part of the story.
The record
A record few will ever match.
From an army battalion to the world's launch records. Follow the rail: every carriage is a year that moved the story toward the sea.
1971
1971
The soldier
Electronics and communications battalion, Army Strategic Command.
1978
1978
The welder
Precision welding division, Uljin Nuclear Power Plant. The craft that becomes the method.
1986
1986
Sungdong is founded
A welding company. Automatic and CO2 machines, patented, supplied to Korea's great shipyards.
1991
1991
The supplier of record
Primary supplier to Korea's three major shipyards. Named Best Partner by Samsung Heavy Industries.
2003
2003
The shipbuilder
Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering is established on an empty shore at Anjeong, with no dry dock and no intention of building one.
2004
2004
The first order
Eight 92,000DWT bulk carriers for a Greek owner, won before the yard was finished.
2006
2006
GTS, a world first
The Gripper-jacks Translift System launches a finished vessel from land. Patented. Shipbuilding is rewritten.
2007
2007
The world takes notice
First two vessels delivered in February. By October, the world's 8th largest order book (Clarkson). Top 10 within three years of the first delivery.
2008
2008
Five hours
World-record load-out of a finished ship, 170,000DWT, the world's largest vessel built on land. One trillion won in sales.
2009
2009
The billion-dollar year
World's first 6,500TEU containership built on land. The One Billion Dollar Export Tower, awarded by the Korean government.
2010
2010
Honoured at home
180,000DWT built on land, a new world record. Presidential Commendation as a top-100 job creator. An Aframax named a Significant Ship of 2009.
2011
2011
The hundredth ship
SPYROS K, the 100th vessel, delivered in the shortest time ever recorded for its class. A first offshore FSO order follows.
2016
2016
The Persian Gulf
A modernization contract with ISOICO brings the method to the Gulf for the first time.
2018
2018
Indonesia
An agreement to build a large shipyard in Lombok, modeled on the Sungdong story.
2026
The rail reaches the Emirates.
Sungdong Holding is established in the Emirates. The next launch begins.
National honours
Honoured by the state, more than once.
2010Presidential Commendation, Top 100 Job-Creating Companies of Korea
2009One Billion Dollar Export Tower, 46th Trade Day
2008One of the “10 Honored People”, Woori Bank 109th anniversary
2006Ministry of Finance and Economy Commendation, exemplary tax payment
2005Gyeongsangnam-do Province Commendation
2003Ministry of Health and Welfare Commendation, support for disadvantaged neighbours
1997National Tax Service Commendation
Source: the founder's official record. Full documentation available on request.