HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- On April 10, toured HJSC’s Yeongdo Shipyard to assess MRO readiness and inspect key vessels, including the LSF

- Neil Koprowski, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Visits HJSC’s Yeongdo Shipyard
(Fourth from left) Neil Koprowski, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea; (Fifth from left) Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJSC 

Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC), met with Brigadier General Neil Koprowski, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, during his visit to the company’s Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan on April 10. The two discussed potential cooperation in the field of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for naval vessels.

Commander Koprowski, accompanied by his staff, toured HJSC’s primary shipbuilding facilities, inspecting core naval assets such as the Landing Ship Fast (LSF), state-of-the-art patrol vessels, and other naval and specialty ships currently under construction.

After observing the shipyard’s advanced production capabilities and security systems, the Commander expressed his confidence in HJSC’s technological excellence. “HJSC’s location in the heart of Busan, along with its capacity to handle large-scale maintenance and construction projects, makes it an ideal partner,” said Koprowski. “Conducting maintenance within the operational theater not only reduces time and cost but also significantly enhances mission readiness.” He continued, “This collaboration with Korea’s world-class shipbuilding industry represents a strong commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance and a model for sustained partnership.”

The MRO sector—focused on the upkeep and refurbishment of U.S. naval vessels—is receiving increasing attention under the second Trump administration, which has prioritized rebuilding the U.S. shipbuilding industry and expanding cooperation with key allies. As a result, participation from Korea’s technologically advanced shipyards in U.S. MRO programs is expected to accelerate.

HJSC has been proactively preparing for entry into the U.S. Navy’s MRO programs. The company formed a task force last year to pursue a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA), a prerequisite for contracts with the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command. Additionally, HJSC recently appointed retired Lieutenant General Chun In-bum—former Commander of Korea’s Special Warfare Command and a respected liaison between U.S. and Korean military leadership—as an outside director to strengthen its global MRO strategy.

A pioneer in Korea’s defense shipbuilding industry, the South Korean global shipbuilder has leveraged more than 50 years of experience to deliver high-performance upgrades, overhauls, and life-extension services for large amphibious vessels, high-speed ships, and various support ships. Its proven capabilities in naval MRO continue to set the standard.
 

- HJSC’s Advanced Landing Ship Fast (LSF), Showcasing Unrivaled Technology

One of the vessels inspected during the Commander’s visit was the LSF, which is capable of high-speed amphibious operations using air-cushion lift technology. HJSC is the only domestic shipbuilder to have constructed all eight of the Republic of Korea Navy’s LSFs, demonstrating unmatched expertise in this advanced field.

“As the nation’s premier maritime defense company, we welcome stronger cooperation with the U.S. across all naval sectors,” said HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol. He added, “With specialized personnel, cutting-edge facilities, and advanced technologies, we are fully prepared to contribute to U.S. Navy MRO operations and expand into global markets.”