HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) project for the U.S. Navy auxiliary ship USNS Alan Shepard, the company said in a statement.
The 41,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition vessel, assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet, entered Yeompo Pier near HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan for scheduled overhaul.
According to the company, the project was awarded in early August. The vessel measures 210 meters in length, 32 meters in width, and 9.4 meters in height.
Maintenance work began upon arrival and includes inspections of safety equipment and systems, servicing of tanks, and checkups of onboard equipment. Delivery back to the U.S. Navy is planned by the end of this year.
The company has carried out MRO projects for naval ships from multiple countries, including the establishment of a logistics support center in the Philippines in 2022 for vessels delivered to the Philippine Navy. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is currently pursuing a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, which is scheduled to be completed in December.
The company stated that following the merger, its capacity to conduct global naval MRO projects is expected to expand by using HD Hyundai Mipo’s docks and berths.
Joo Won-Ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Naval & Special Ship Business Unit, said, “We will successfully execute this MRO project based on our advanced technologies and expertise, and make every effort to ensure the satisfaction of our client, the U.S. Navy.”
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. is a South Korean shipbuilding company headquartered in Ulsan. It operates as a subsidiary of HD Hyundai Group and engages in the design, construction, and servicing of naval and commercial vessels, as well as offshore facilities and industrial plants.
HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. is a South Korean shipbuilder specializing in medium-sized vessels. Its facilities include multiple dry docks and berths in Ulsan.
The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) operates the USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship. MSC is an organization within the U.S. Department of the Navy responsible for providing logistics, sealift, and fleet support to naval operations.
