South Korea’s HJ Heavy Industries has completed its first US Navy maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) project, returning the Military Sealift Command’s dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart to service after extensive repairs at its Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan.

The 40,000-tonne-class vessel departed Busan after the shipbuilder completed an expanded programme of maintenance and repairs that extended the original contract period by six months.

HJ Heavy Industries secured the contract from the US Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) in December 2025. The vessel arrived at Yeongdo Shipyard in January 2026 for work initially scheduled to take approximately three months.

The original scope included inspections and maintenance of the hull and major onboard systems, servicing of equipment and facilities, and replacement of components.

During the overhaul, the shipbuilder identified additional defects and maintenance requirements that had not been covered by the initial agreement. HJ Heavy Industries submitted proposals for corrective work, which the US Navy accepted.

The expanded scope extended the project schedule from April to October 2026 and increased the contract value. The shipbuilder also reported higher revenue and profitability from the additional work, although the revised contract amount was not disclosed.

According to HJ Heavy Industries‘ official announcement, the US Navy expressed appreciation for the quality of the completed repairs and the shipyard’s performance.

The project marked the first completed US Navy MRO contract undertaken by a mid-sized South Korean shipbuilder. HJ Heavy Industries plans to pursue further naval maintenance contracts following the completion of the assignment.

USNS Amelia Earhart is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship measuring 210 metres in length and 32 metres in beam. The vessel supports US Navy aircraft carriers and combat ships by carrying up to 6,000 tonnes of ammunition, provisions and dry cargo, as well as 2,400 tonnes of fuel.

The overhaul forms part of wider efforts by the US Navy to expand maintenance capacity in the Indo-Pacific region, enabling ships operating in the area to undergo repairs at regional facilities rather than returning to the United States.