Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, recently visited Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje shipyard, where she praised the technological capabilities of South Korea's shipbuilding industry and underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Greece.

Guilfoyle revealed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that she had attended a Samsung Heavy Industries ship launching ceremony, stating that it "symbolizes the craftsmanship of Korea's shipbuilding industry." She added: "When we build (ships) with allies, we all rise together."

The ceremony took place on June 27 at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje shipyard. Attendees included officials from Greece's major shipping company Tsakos Group and U.S. energy company ExxonMobil.

"This vessel is proof of what can be achieved when Korea's outstanding engineering meets Greece's ambition for the maritime industry," Guilfoyle said. She emphasized the broader significance of the event, describing "a vibrant shipyard and sailors setting out for global trade, nations that stand proudly side by side, united by shared values and purpose beyond a simple contract."

Her remarks come as President Donald Trump pushes to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which has seen its share of global commercial vessel production fall sharply over recent decades. South Korea and China together dominate the global commercial shipbuilding market, with Korean yards holding a leading position in high-value segments such as LNG carriers and large tankers. The presence of ExxonMobil officials at the ceremony also reflects the intersection of energy shipping demand and Korean shipbuilding capacity, as global LNG trade continues to drive orders for specialized vessels.

Greece is widely regarded as a "big spender" in the global shipbuilding market, with Greek shipowners placing orders for dozens of tankers and bulk carriers at once. They rank among the world's largest buyers of new vessels, making Greece a critical market for Korean shipbuilders including Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai, and Hanwha Ocean. The strategic importance of commercial shipbuilding extends beyond trade: shipyard infrastructure and skilled labor also underpin naval construction, a dimension that has drawn increasing attention from U.S. policymakers concerned about maritime competitiveness.

Against this backdrop, Guilfoyle is seen as playing a bridging role in facilitating shipbuilding cooperation among the three nations. She has demonstrated particular interest in Korea's shipbuilding sector throughout the year. In May, she attended a signing ceremony to expand business cooperation between ONEX Group — one of Greece's largest shipbuilding and defense corporations — and Hanwha Ocean.

"It served as an opportunity to further strengthen the great shipbuilding cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Greece," Guilfoyle said of the May event. "The United States stands proudly side by side with Greece and Korea to build a safer and more prosperous future. This is a tangible strategic investment."

A former Fox News host, Guilfoyle is well known as the ex-fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, and as the ex-wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been mentioned as a potential future presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. President Trump nominated Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece after she publicly split with his son last year, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July.

Source: Chosun