Inspection of Preparations and Key Naval Vessels Such as LSF at Yeongdo Shipyard on the 10th
Why Did the Commander of US Naval Forces Korea Visit HJ Shipbuilding & Construction?
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction announced on the 14th that CEO Yoo Sangcheol met with Neil Koprowski, Commander of US Naval Forces Korea (Brigadier General), at the Busan Yeongdo Shipyard to discuss mutual cooperation plans related to the MRO business and other areas.
On the afternoon of the 10th, Commander Neil Koprowski visited the Yeongdo Shipyard, the main shipbuilding site of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, accompanied by his staff. He toured major naval vessels and construction facilities and held a meeting with the company's management.
Commander Neil Coprowski of the U.S. Navy Korea Command (fourth from the left) and Sangcheol Yoo, CEO of HJ Heavy Industries (fifth from the left), are shouting "Fighting" at the HJ Heavy Industries Yeongdo Shipyard.
Commander Koprowski closely inspected the shipbuilding facilities, security systems, Landing Ship Fast (LSF), and state-of-the-art patrol vessels and special ships under construction at HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, expressing his satisfaction with their world-class technological capabilities.
He stated, "HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, located in downtown Busan, has sufficient capacity to carry out large-scale maintenance and construction work. On-site maintenance in the operational area reduces both maintenance time and costs while significantly enhancing operational readiness. Cooperation with the globally renowned Korean shipbuilding industry is an important example symbolizing the strong commitment and ongoing partnership of the US-ROK alliance."
The MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) business involves the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of US Navy vessels and is an area where the United States has been expanding cooperation with major allies since the second Trump administration. In particular, as President Trump signed an executive order to revitalize the US shipbuilding industry, domestic shipbuilders with competitiveness in this field are expected to accelerate their participation in the MRO business.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has also formed a task force since last year to prepare for signing the Maintenance Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA), a prerequisite and qualification agreement with the US Navy Supply Systems Command. Recently, the company expanded its talent pool by appointing former Special Warfare Commander Chun Inbum, known for his expertise in US affairs and experience with the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command, as an outside director.
As the original pioneer of 'K-Defense Industry,' HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, the nation's first naval defense contractor, has been recognized for its capabilities by carrying out various naval vessel MRO projects, including major overhauls and performance upgrades for large transport ships, high-speed vessels, and various support ships, based on over 50 years of accumulated experience and technological expertise.
The Landing Ship Fast (LSF), which Commander Koprowski boarded during his visit, is also a testament to HJ Shipbuilding & Construction's unrivaled technology, having built all eight vessels ordered by the Republic of Korea Navy, making it the only domestic builder of air-cushion high-speed landing ships. The Landing Ship Fast is a vessel that applies aircraft technology using air for buoyancy, requiring cutting-edge technology from design to construction.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction CEO Yoo Sangcheol emphasized, "Strengthening cooperation and alliance between Korea and the US in the shipbuilding sector is always welcome. With specialized personnel, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced technology in ship design, construction, performance upgrades, and MRO business, we plan to actively participate not only in the MRO business required by the US Navy but also in exploring overseas markets."
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