HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) announced on Thursday that it received high praise for its Maintenance, Repair, and Operation (MROs) capabilities during an on-site inspection by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at its Busan Yeongdo shipyard.
The company expects to begin preparations for signing a Maintenance Support Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy by year’s end. This agreement, which is crucial for maintaining and repairing U.S. Navy vessels, requires the company to pass NAVSEA’s rigorous evaluation process to qualify for participation.
HJSC reported that a team of seven NAVSEA officials and technical experts visited the Busan Yeongdo shipyard on Tuesday to assess qualification for the MSRA. The delegation inspected South Korean naval vessels, including the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, and engaged in in-depth discussions with project managers about the on-site audit and comprehensive evaluation process.
In anticipation of the U.S. Navy’s verification process, HJSC has been diligently preparing, including the establishment of an MRO cluster council in July. This follows an earlier visit by the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea to the Yeongdo shipyard in April.
A spokesperson for HJSC stated that given the positive feedback received during the on-site inspection—which followed thorough document reviews and technical capability assessments—it anticipates signing the MSRA as early as November. The team is committed to meticulous preparation to ensure a smooth entry into the U.S. Navy’s MRO business sector.
HJSC has been at the forefront of naval defense since 1974, when it was designated as the country’s first naval defense industry company. Since then, it has successfully executed various MRO projects for a wide range of vessels, including large transport ships and high-speed craft.