US Navy Commander Visits HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, States “Sufficient MRO Capabilities”

On April 10, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) CEO Yoo Sang-cheol met with U.S. Navy Commander in Korea, Rear Admiral Neil Koprowski, at the Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan to discuss cooperation in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of U.

S. Navy vessels. During the visit, Commander Koprowski, along with his staff, toured the Yeongdo Shipyard, HJSC's main facility, to inspect key naval vessels and construction facilities.



Following the tour, he held a meeting with the company’s management to exchange views on potential collaboration. Commander Koprowski expressed deep interest in HJSC's shipbuilding facilities, security systems, high-speed landing craft (LSF), and various other vessels and special ships currently under construction. He expressed satisfaction with the world-class level of technology and stated, “If HJSC actively participates in the U.

S. Navy's MRO operations, it will greatly contribute not only to the readiness of U.S.

Navy ships but also to strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance.

” The MRO business encompasses the maintenance, repair, and performance improvement of U.S. Navy ships and has been gaining prominence recently as the U.

S. government seeks to expand cooperation with key allies. This is particularly relevant following former President Trump’s signing of an executive order to rebuild the U.

S. shipbuilding industry, which is expected to increase participation from domestic shipbuilding companies with competitive capabilities in this area. HJSC has established a dedicated task force since last year to prepare for signing a Maintenance and Repair Services Agreement (MSRA) with the U.

S. Navy's Supply Systems Command. Recently, they strengthened their talent pool by appointing former Special Operations Command Commander Jeon In-bum—considered an expert in U.

S. military affairs—as an outside director. As the first defense contractor for naval vessels in South Korea, HJSC has accumulated approximately 50 years of expertise, recognized for its high technical capabilities in the MRO sector through the overhaul and performance improvement of large transport ships, high-speed vessels, and various support ships.

The high-speed landing craft (LSF) that Commander Koprowski personally boarded is uniquely constructed by HJSC using air-cushion technology, successfully delivering all eight vessels ordered by the Navy. This ship, which applies aircraft technology utilizing air for buoyancy, requires advanced technology from design through construction. CEO Yoo Sang-cheol stated, “HJSC possesses specialized personnel and advanced technology throughout the entire process from design and construction to performance enhancement and MRO.

We plan to actively pursue not only the U.S. Navy's MRO operations but also new opportunities in the global defense market.

”.