Hanwha Ocean Wins Third US Navy Ship Maintenance Contract

Charles Drew Supply Ship Scheduled to Arrive at Geoje Shipyard in Mid-July

Hanwha Ocean has secured a contract for the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) of the US Navy ship 'Charles Drew'.

Hanwha Ocean's first US Navy ship MRO project awarded for the USS Wally Schirra. Hanwha Ocean

This marks the third time Hanwha Ocean has won an MRO contract for a US Navy vessel. In August last year, Hanwha Ocean became the first Korean shipyard to secure an MRO project for the US Navy's logistics support ship, the USS Wally Schirra. In November, the company won the MRO project for the replenishment oiler USS Yukon.

According to the defense industry on July 8, Hanwha Ocean successfully secured a contract earlier this month for the regular maintenance of the US Navy 7th Fleet's supply ship, the Charles Drew.

The Charles Drew is a non-combat vessel responsible for supplying cargo and ammunition. It has a displacement of 41,000 tons, a length of approximately 210 meters, and a beam of 32 meters. The ship is scheduled to enter the Geoje Shipyard in mid-July for repairs and is expected to be delivered by the end of this year. Once the Charles Drew arrives at Geoje Shipyard, Hanwha Ocean plans to complete exterior maintenance of the hull and disassemble, service, and reassemble internal structures such as the frame within three months. Typically, after a contract is signed, the vessel enters the shipyard within 15 days.

Previously, during maintenance of the USS Wally Schirra, Hanwha Ocean discovered damaged areas inside the hull and entered into an additional contract with the US Navy after consultation. While servicing the USS Wally Schirra, Hanwha Ocean identified new areas requiring maintenance and secured a revised contract that guaranteed additional revenue.