On March 12, a Lewis & Clark-class supply ship left Hanwha Ocean Geoje Shipyard, marking the first time that Korea has completed maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service for a U.S. Navy ship.
Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander U.S. Naval Forces Korea, said in a press release about the ship’s completion, “Korea’s ability to conduct large-scale maintenance on U.S. Navy ships in the Indo-Pacific theater underscores the strong strategic partnership between Korea and the United States.”
Last summer, Hanwha Ocean received a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MRSA) certification from the U.S. Navy, which confirms the shipbuilder’s ability to undertake MRO projects on U.S. ships. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Navy’s supply ship USS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) sailed into the Korean shipyard to undergo extensive repairs over a seven-month period. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Navy’s supply ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) sailed into the Korean shipyard to undergo extensive repairs over a seven-month period.
This is the first time a U.S. ship of this size has been overhauled in Korea. During the overhaul, Hanwha Ocean completed 300 work items, including cleaning hull corrosion and replacing the rudder.
The U.S. Military Sealift Command highlighted Hanwha Ocean’s ability to reverse-engineer components such as rudders in the absence of drawings, and praised the yard’s “resilient supply chain, advanced automations and skilled workforce.”
In a press release, Neil Koprowski stated, “ Maintenance of ships in theater reduces downtime and costs while increasing readiness. This is a milestone worth celebrating.”
Hanwha Ocean acquired the U.S. Philly shipyard for $100 million last July and has committed to a large-scale investment. In South Korea, Hanwha Ocean serves both commercial clients and manages submarines for the South Korean Navy. South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities are second only to China’s, and the White House is eyeing South Korea’s shipbuilding industry as the U.S. claims to be working to revitalize its own.
It is worth noting that this MRO program is taking place in the context of the U.S. Navy’s maintenance program at shipyards in the Indo-Pacific region.
In the summer of 2023, India’s Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd and Larsen & Toubro Ltd have also received MRSA certification from the US. In the Philippines, the U.S. has taken local shipyards in Subic Bay into consideration for MRO business. Hanwha Ocean’s competitor HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also signed an MRSA agreement last July. In addition, Japanese shipbuilders are also striving to obtain the certification.