US Navy Supply Ship Completes First Large-Scale Maintenance at South Korean Shipyard

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa – March 13, 2025 6:49 PM

SSNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) departs Hanwha Ocean shipyard after a seven-month overhaul at Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea, March 12, 2025. Hanwah Ocean Photo

A Lewis and Clark dry cargo ship departed Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard on Wednesday, marking the completion of South Korea’s first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service of an American naval vessel amid the Navy’s efforts to find yards in the Indo-Pacific to repair ships in theater.

“The Republic of Korea’s ability to conduct large-scale maintenance to USNS ships within the Indo-Pacific Theater demonstrates the strong strategic partnership between the Republic of Korea and the United States,” said Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, in a release on the MRO completion.

USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) pulled into the South Korean shipyard last summer shortly after Hanwha Ocean gained a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MRSA) certification from the Navy, which validated the company’s ability to tackle MRO projects on American vessels. A company release from the time claimed that the project would take three months, contrary to the seven months stated in the Military Sealift Command release.

According to MSC Far East, this is the first time an American vessel of this size has conducted a regular overhaul in South Korea. The maintenance period saw Hanwha Ocean shipyard workers tackle 300 work items that covered hull corrosion and the replacement of Wally Schirra’s rudder.

MSC highlighted Hanhwa Ocean’s ability to reverse engineer certain components when schematics were not available, citing the shipbuilder’s “resilient supply chains, advanced automations and skilled workforce.”

“Maintenance in theater reduces downtime and costs, while enhancing operational readiness. This is a landmark achievement to be celebrated as a symbol of our strengthened partnership and ironclad commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance,” said Koprowski in the release.

Assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Force, Wally Schirra’s maintenance in South Korea kept the supply vessel in-theater, Cmdr. Patrick Moore, commanding officer, MSC Office-Korea, highlighted this new MRO option from Hanwha Ocean as an “additional means to deliver repair of military logistics vessels in order to sustain the readiness necessary to support Fleet operations.”

Hanwha Ocean bought out Philly Shipyard in a $100 million deal last July and promised “big time” investments. In South Korea, the company manages both commercial customers and submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy. Seoul’s shipbuilding capabilities, specifically through Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries, are second only to China in global rankings. American policymakers have eyed South Korean shipbuilding amid Washington’s efforts to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding.

The MRO effort also comes amid the service’s maintenance initiatives across Indo-Pacific shipbuilders. India’s Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Ltd and Larsen & Toubro Ltd gained their MRSA certifications in the summer of 2023. In the Philippines, American officials have eyed local facilities at Subic Bay for MRO. Hanwha Ocean competitor Hyundai Heavy Industries – owners of the world’s largest shipyard in Ulsan – inked their MRSA last July. Japanese yards have also been eyed for similar agreements.

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