South Korean Shipbuilder Completes First US Navy Repair Project, Seeks More Contracts

South Korean shipbuilder HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has completed its first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) project for the US Navy. The company finished repairs on the logistics ship USNS Amelia Earhart after finding additional defects and maintenance needs during inspections.

The vessel departed the company’s Yeongdo shipyard in Busan on October 15, after the expanded work was completed. The project, initially scheduled to finish in April, continued until October, increasing the contract value and giving HJ Shipbuilding its first completed US Navy ship repair project.

HJ Shipbuilding signed the contract with the US Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) in December 2025. The 40,000-tonne vessel arrived at the South Korean shipyard in January 2026 for maintenance and inspections.

The work included inspections of the hull and major systems, maintenance of onboard equipment and facilities, and replacement of components. During the inspection process, HJ Shipbuilding identified defects and additional maintenance requirements that were not covered by the original contract.

The company proposed corrective measures, which the US Navy accepted. The expanded scope of work extended the project from its original April completion date to October, about six months later.

HJ Shipbuilding said the additional work increased the contract value, revenue and profit. It did not disclose the revised contract amount. The company also said the US Navy expressed satisfaction with the quality and completeness of the repairs and its performance in carrying out the contract.

According to the company, the project makes HJ Shipbuilding the first mid-sized South Korean shipbuilder to secure and complete a US Navy MRO contract. It plans to use the experience to pursue more repair work for US Navy vessels, but it has not announced a follow-on contract.

The completed project gives HJ Shipbuilding experience working to US Navy maintenance requirements as it seeks to expand its presence in the naval repair market. Further opportunities will depend on the award of additional contracts.

The USNS Amelia Earhart is a logistics support vessel measuring about 210 metres long and 32 metres wide, with a displacement of approximately 40,000 tonnes. It supplies US Navy aircraft carriers and other combat vessels with ammunition, food, cargo and fuel.

The ship can carry up to 6,000 tonnes of ammunition, food and other cargo, along with 2,400 tonnes of fuel. HJ Shipbuilding has not disclosed the revised contract value or confirmed when it might secure another US Navy repair project.

References: Korea Times, UPI