Hanwha Ocean becomes first South Korean shipyard to complete major US Navy ship repair on USNS Wally Schirra.

As reported by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on March 13, 2025, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, the USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), has completed a seven-month maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) process at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea. This marks the first large-scale maintenance effort of a U.S. naval vessel in a South Korean shipyard, aligning with the U.S. Navy’s strategy of conducting ship repairs within the Indo-Pacific region to minimize downtime and operational costs.

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Like other dry cargo ships of the Lewis and Clark-class, the USNS Wally Schirra was designed to operate with a mixed civilian and military crew, resupplying naval vessels at sea with ammunition, food, spare parts, and other essential materials. (Picture source: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command)

Hanwha Ocean, which secured a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) certification from the U.S. Navy in July 2024, was awarded the contract for this overhaul, making it the first South Korean shipbuilder to provide MRO services for an American military vessel. The USNS Wally Schirra entered the shipyard in September 2024, and while initial projections estimated a three-month turnaround, the work ultimately took seven months due to additional identified repairs. The vessel underwent extensive dry-docking, addressing hull corrosion, a complete rudder replacement, and over 300 specific maintenance tasks.

Rear Admiral Neil Koprowski, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, stated that conducting large-scale maintenance within the Indo-Pacific theater demonstrates the strategic partnership between the Republic of Korea and the United States. He noted that this initiative enhances operational readiness by ensuring vessels can return to duty faster and at reduced costs. Additionally, Military Sealift Command (MSC) officials acknowledged Hanwha Ocean’s ability to reverse-engineer critical components, including the ship’s rudder, despite the absence of original blueprints.

As a component of the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Force, USNS Wally Schirra provides supplies to American and allied naval forces, including ammunition, food, spare parts, and fuel. The completion of its MRO in South Korea ensures its continued ability to sustain fleet operations. According to Commander Patrick Moore, commanding officer of MSC Office-Korea, the addition of ROH capabilities at South Korean facilities provides an alternative option for maintaining U.S. military logistics vessels while reducing reliance on U.S. shipyards.

The completion of this project has broader implications for South Korea’s shipbuilding industry. Hanwha Ocean, which acquired Philly Shipyard in the U.S. in a $100 million deal in mid-2024, aims to further integrate into the U.S. naval shipbuilding and maintenance market. South Korea’s shipbuilding sector, particularly through Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries, ranks second globally after China. This development aligns with American policymakers’ efforts to diversify their shipbuilding and maintenance capabilities amid ongoing shipyard delays in the U.S.

The USNS Wally Schirra’s MRO is part of a broader U.S. initiative to expand maintenance partnerships across Indo-Pacific shipyards. India’s Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders and Larsen & Toubro gained MSRA certifications in 2023, while similar agreements have been explored with shipyards in Japan and the Philippines. Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha’s main domestic competitor, secured its MSRA certification in mid-2024, further expanding South Korea’s involvement in U.S. Navy ship maintenance.

Beyond the USNS Wally Schirra, Hanwha Ocean has also been awarded a contract for the scheduled maintenance of the USNS Yukon, a replenishment oiler assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet. The company has stated its intention to secure five to six additional U.S. Navy MRO contracts in 2025. Hanwha executives view this development as strengthening the shipbuilder’s role in naval logistics vessel repairs and expanding South Korea’s presence in the global naval MRO sector.

Hanwha Ocean proved its effectiveness during the maintenance process by identifying maintenance needs that had not been recognized at the time of the initial contract, leading to a revised agreement with the U.S. Navy. (Picture source: Hanwha Ocean)

The global naval maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market, currently valued at approximately $8 billion, continues to expand as nations seek reliable maintenance options for their naval fleets. Hanwha Ocean has indicated plans to extend its MRO business beyond the United States, targeting markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. The overhaul of the USNS Wally Schirra represents an expansion of South Korea’s shipbuilding sector into military vessel maintenance on an international scale.

Hanwha Ocean leveraged its technical expertise to prove its effectiveness during the maintenance process by identifying maintenance needs that had not been recognized at the time of the initial contract. This led to a revised agreement with the U.S. Navy, significantly increasing the project's scope and value. The contract modification allowed Hanwha Ocean to showcase its ability to handle unplanned repairs efficiently, reinforcing its standing as a capable partner in military ship maintenance.

The broader context of this development reflects a shift in U.S. policy toward greater engagement with allied shipbuilders. With China's shipbuilding industry growing rapidly, Washington has been seeking partnerships with South Korean, Japanese, and Indian shipyards to strengthen its naval logistics and maintenance network. Recent legislative efforts in the U.S. Senate, such as the Ensuring Naval Readiness Act and the Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act, indicate a willingness to deepen cooperation with foreign shipbuilders, including potential future construction projects.

Hanwha Ocean’s acquisition of Philly Shipyard is part of this larger strategy, as the company plans to invest heavily in U.S.-based shipbuilding to support Washington’s goal of modernizing its fleet. The U.S. Navy has allocated $146.8 billion through 2028 for new shipbuilding initiatives, including replenishment oilers, salvage vessels, and guided-missile destroyers. Hanwha Ocean’s growing presence in the American defense market positions it as a key player in these developments.

The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships were developed to replace older combat support ships in the U.S. Navy’s fleet, consolidating logistics support into a standardized platform. Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, these ships were designed with a focus on extended operational endurance, increased cargo capacity, and the ability to support carrier strike groups and other naval forces. The class consists of 14 vessels, each named after notable American explorers and pioneers, with construction spanning from 2001 to 2012. The vessels are operated by Military Sealift Command’s Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force to ensure logistical support for deployed forces.

The USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) is one of these dry cargo ships, named after U.S. Navy Captain Walter Marty "Wally" Schirra Jr., a Korean War veteran and one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts. The ship was built by NASSCO and launched in March 2009 before entering service with the U.S. Navy in September of the same year. Like other vessels in its class, Wally Schirra was designed to operate with a mixed civilian and military crew, resupplying naval vessels at sea with ammunition, food, spare parts, and other essential materials.

The ship measures 210 meters in length, with a beam of 32.3 meters and a displacement of approximately 40,000 tons when fully loaded. It is powered by an integrated electric propulsion system with Fairbanks-Morse/MAN Diesel generators, driving a single fixed-pitch propeller for a top speed of 20 knots. The vessel has a range of 14,000 nautical miles at full speed and can carry up to 5,910 tons of dry cargo, 2,350 tons of fuel, and 783,000 cubic feet of cargo volume. It features a flight deck for vertical replenishment operations using helicopters such as the Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk, enabling rapid resupply operations.