Hanwha Ocean has announced its successful bid to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the USNS Wally Schirra, a 40,000-ton U.S. Navy dry cargo and ammunition ship. This project marks the first time a Korean shipbuilder will provide MRO services for the U.S. Navy.
The ship is undergoing maintenance and inspection at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard, with additional onshore maintenance work being conducted using the shipyard’s floating facilities. The three-month project is expected to expand Hanwha Ocean’s global defense activities by showcasing its advanced technology and maintenance infrastructure to the U.S. Navy.
“With the global naval vessels MRO market size projected to exceed $60 billion annually, this U.S. Navy maintenance project represents a stepping stone to a significant leap forward,” said a spokesperson for Hanwha Ocean. "We have meticulously prepared and refined our MRO services to build trust with the U.S. Navy. We will also work closely with local small and medium-sized enterprises to support the maintenance industry in South Korea.”
The MRO contract requires a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) certification, which Hanwha Ocean earned in July 2024. The certification, granted by the U.S. Navy, validates the quality of Hanwha Ocean’s shipbuilding and MRO capabilities. Alongside the recent acquisition of Philly Shipyard, a leading U.S. shipbuilder in Philadelphia, this MRO project will serve as a pilot initiative in Asia, accelerating Hanwha Ocean’s entry into the U.S. naval shipbuilding market.
