HJ Heavy Industries, a leading South Korean shipbuilding company in the defense sector, has successfully secured its first contract in the U.S. Navy’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) project for military support ships. On December 15, HJ Heavy Industries announced that it signed a Mid-Term Availability contract with the U.S. Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) for the maintenance of the USNS Amelia Earhart, a 40,000-ton dry cargo ammunition ship.
The contractual work will begin in January at HJ Heavy Industries’ Yeongdo shipyard in Busan, South Korea, where the ship will undergo inspections, repairs, parts replacement, and painting of the hull and main systems. The ship is expected to be delivered back to the U.S. Navy by the end of March.
This endeavor signifies HJ Heavy Industries’ entry into the U.S. Navy MRO market, known for its high technical demands and profitability. The project involves essential maintenance and improvements to keep the ship operationally ready. The USNS Amelia Earhart, in service since 2008, is crucial for resupplying up to 6,000 tons of ammunition, food, and cargo, along with 2,400 tons of fuel to major vessels like aircraft carriers and combat ships.
HJ Heavy Industries has been preparing to enter the international MRO market since last year, leveraging its extensive experience in constructing and maintaining various naval and logistics support systems since becoming South Korea’s first marine defense contractor in 1974. Their facilities have already attracted the attention of high-profile U.S. military and government officials, who have visited the Yeongdo shipyard to assess its capabilities.
Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Heavy Industries, expressed that this contract confirms their maintenance prowess, technical skills, and ability to meet contract obligations on an international scale. He emphasized the importance of meeting the U.S. Navy’s delivery and quality expectations to build trust, drawing on over five decades of experience as a specialized defense industry contractor.