HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has commenced its first large-scale maintenance and overhaul project for a U.S. Navy auxiliary vessel, marking a new chapter in Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.
The vessel under repair is the USNS Alan Shepard, a 41,000-ton Lewis and Clark–class dry cargo and ammunition ship assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet. The overhaul began this month at a berth near HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan and is scheduled for completion by November 2025.
The project scope includes cleaning of the vessel’s propellers, tank maintenance, and inspection of onboard systems. Company representatives emphasized that the deal is especially significant as it represents the first major U.S. Navy contract secured after the launch of the bilateral cooperation framework known as “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” (MASGA).
HD HHI has been strengthening ties with the U.S. maritime sector in recent years. Earlier in 2025, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Huntington Ingalls Industries to explore collaborative naval programs and technology exchanges. In the commercial domain, it has also engaged in joint ventures with offshore operators such as Edison Chouest.
The U.S. shipbuilding industry has been facing production and workforce constraints, prompting the Navy to seek foreign partners to maintain operational readiness. South Korean shipbuilders, with their efficiency and capacity, have emerged as credible partners to support fleet sustainment in the Indo-Pacific region.
This initiative follows a similar success earlier in the year, when another Korean yard completed an overhaul of the USNS Wally Schirra. Together, these developments underscore South Korea’s growing role in U.S. naval logistics and defense collaboration.
