Rear Admiral Neil Koprowski, the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visited HJ Shipbuilding & Construction. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order aimed at rebuilding the American shipbuilding industry, the participation of competitive South Korean shipbuilders in the Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul  business is expected to accelerate.

On Apr. 14, HJ Shipbuilding announced that Commander Koprowski visited the Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan on Apr. 10 and discussed cooperation plans regarding MRO businesses with CEO Yoo Sang-cheol and other executives.

Commander Koprowski, who toured HJ Shipbuilding’s construction facilities and naval vessels under construction along with his staff, was reported to have assessed, “HJ Shipbuilding, located in the heart of Busan, has sufficient capabilities to carry out large-scale maintenance and construction work.” He also stated, “On-site maintenance reduces repair time and costs while greatly enhancing operational readiness,” adding, “Cooperation with the world-class Korean shipbuilding industry is an important example symbolizing the steadfast commitment and enduring partnership of the Korea-U.S. alliance.”

HJ Shipbuilding has also been preparing to conclude a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA), a prerequisite for official contracts with the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, by establishing a dedicated task force since last year. Recently, it also expanded its talent pool by recruiting Chun In-bum, a former commander of special operations forces who served in the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command, as an outside director.

As South Korea’s first defense contractor specializing in naval vessels, HJ Shipbuilding has built its reputation over more than 50 years through various MRO projects, including major overhauls and performance upgrades for large transport ships, high-speed vessels, and various support ships.

Source:Business Korea