- Hanwha Ocean successfully completed the first-ever MRO of a U.S. Navy vessel in Korea at its Geoje Shipyard.
- USNS Wally Schirra underwent hull and engine repairs, system upgrades, and major equipment inspections over six months.
- The project marks a milestone under Hanwha’s Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy.
Hanwha Ocean has successfully completed maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the U.S. Navy’s dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Wally Schirra, marking a historic first for Korea’s shipbuilding industry. The vessel has now departed from Hanwha’s Geoje Shipyard after undergoing a six-month maintenance program that covered hull and engine repairs, major system upgrades, and equipment replacements.
This project is a significant milestone, as it is the first time the U.S. Navy has awarded an MRO project to a Korean company. In meeting the U.S. Navy’s stringent technical standards, Hanwha Ocean views this successful collaboration as an opportunity to further solidify its presence in the global defense industry.
“It is a great honor to assist the U.S. Navy through this project. Based on the experience gained from Wally Schirra, we will continue to strive to make greater contributions as a key partner,” said Dae-Sik Kim, Managing Director of Hanwha Ocean’s MRO business.
“Today is the result of months of hard work and dedication by the team here at Hanwha and by the men and women of Wally Schirra. This serves as a reminder of the close partnership between our two countries and the opportunities we have to continue to strengthen that partnership,” said Patrick J. Moore, Command Officer of Military Sealift Command Office, Korea (MSCOK).
Building on a Strong U.S. Navy Partnership
Hanwha Ocean’s work on USNS Wally Schirra was its first MRO project under the Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) signed with the U.S. Navy in July 2024. The company has already secured another contract for the scheduled maintenance of USNS Yukon, a replenishment oiler assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, reinforcing its growing role in the sector.
With the global naval MRO market expanding, Hanwha Ocean plans to leverage its success with the U.S. Navy to secure further contracts and strengthen its defense shipbuilding business worldwide.
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Source: Hanwha Group
