1 week Ago By Lee Jun-sung
Hanwha Ocean has recently secured multiple Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) contracts for U.S. Navy vessels.
This achievement follows the formal mention of "collaboration with the South Korean shipbuilding industry" by President-elect Donald Trump and strengthens the maritime defense alliance between South Korea and the United States. On November 12, Hanwha Ocean announced that it has signed a regular repair contract for the supply ship 'USNS YUKON,' which is assigned to the U.S.
Navy's 7th Fleet. The 'USNS YUKON', in operation since its commissioning in 1994, is a large vessel measuring 206 meters in length, 29.6 meters in width, and with a displacement of approximately 31,000 tons.
Hanwha Ocean plans to complete repairs on the ship by April next year before delivering it back to the U.S. Navy.
This contract marks an important milestone, following Hanwha Ocean's initial MRO contract for the U.S. Navy’s logistics support vessel 'Wally Schirra' secured in August, showcasing a substantial achievement within just three months.
Hanwha Ocean has earned the U.S. Navy's trust by securing both MRO contracts issued by the logistics support center of the U.
S. Navy's 7th Fleet at their Singapore office in August and December. Additionally, last month, Admiral Stephen Koehler, commander of the U.
S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje plant to assess the maintenance status of the 'Wally Schirra' and discuss potential for future collaboration. This visit is part of Hanwha Ocean's efforts to enhance cooperation with the U.
S. Navy and elevate the status of K-marine defense. The U.
S. is currently recognizing South Korea's advanced marine defense technology for efficient maintenance of naval forces. The Department of Defense plans to establish logistics and maintenance hubs in five countries in the Indo-Pacific region, positioning South Korea as a key partner for defense collaboration.
President-elect Trump has also acknowledged South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities while emphasizing enhanced cooperation between the two nations in shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair. Moreover, Hanwha Ocean has signed an acquisition contract for the Philadelphia shipyard, gaining in-depth understanding of the MRO systems for U.S.
Navy vessels through the 'Wally Schirra' project. This has led the U.S.
Navy to recognize Hanwha Ocean as a trustworthy partner. "Hanwha Ocean has established itself as a reliable partner for the U.S.
Pacific Fleet and is contributing to the enhancement of U.S. Navy capabilities based on world-class MRO technology," said Kim Dae-sik, executive director of Hanwha Ocean's Special Ship MRO Business Team.
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