Han Media: HD Hyundai Launches 'MASGA', First US Vessel Maintenance Contract

Amid the official start of the South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project "MASGA," South Korea's largest shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, has secured the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contract for a U.S. Navy military supply ship.

On the 6th, according to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, it recently secured the regular maintenance contract for the 41,000-ton cargo supply ship "USNS Alan Shepard" belonging to the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet. This is HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' first U.S. MRO contract, and also marks the first U.S. MRO order undertaken by a South Korean company after the establishment of MASGA, which played a decisive role in the South Korea-US tariff compromise.

The Alan Shepard is 210 meters long, 32 meters wide, and 9.4 meters high, and was officially commissioned in 2007. The vessel is named after Alan Shepard, the first American naval officer who became an outstanding astronaut. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to begin repairs at the wharf near Ulsan HD Hyundai Yusung starting in September. After cleaning the propeller, repairing various barrels, and checking equipment, it plans to deliver the ship to the U.S. Navy in November.

Kim Won-ho, representative of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' special ships division, said, "This MRO order is the first one finalized after the government proposed the South Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project 'MASGA,' so it holds significant meaning." He added, "As a representative shipbuilder of the Republic of Korea, we will do our best to successfully complete the MRO of the U.S. Navy's military supply ship."

South Korean companies have officially entered the U.S. Navy MRO business since last year. The annual scale of the U.S. MRO business is expected to be around 20 trillion won (approximately 144 billion USD). If successful, future collaboration on warship projects with the United States can be anticipated. In 2024, Hanwha Ocean became the first South Korean company to secure an MRO order from the U.S. Navy, and recently, competition with Singapore-based MRO companies has begun. Japan is also expanding its MRO business to strengthen its shipbuilding industry cooperation with the United States.

Sources: Chosun Ilbo

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839715331947531/

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