Welding Shipyards Inc. in Norfolk VA was founded in 1940 by the legendary D. K. Ludwig, who had formed National Bulk Carriers in 1936. Since Ludwig was planning to build much larger ships, he needed a bigger yard. Welding Shipyard was only a small yard with a single building way, which was only large enough to build the 30,000 ton Bulkpetrol class of ships. In 1950, he negotiated a lease on the former Japanese naval shipyard in Kure, Japan. This yard was big enough to build the mammoth tankers and ore ships Ludwig had in mind. Ludwig was able to lease this yard for 10 years with an option to renew for another 5 years. It became known as National Bulk Carriers Inc, Kure Shipyards Division.
