South Korean shipyard joins U.S. Navy ship repair program

South Korean Firm SK Oceanplant Signs MSRA with U.S. Navy, Secures Warship MRO Eligibility

South Korean shipbuilder SK Oceanplant has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy, securing eligibility to participate in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work for U.S. naval vessels, the company announced on February 10.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the MSRA is an official certification granted by the U.S. Navy to domestic and allied shipyards. Certified shipyards are qualified to take part in MRO projects for major naval vessels, including U.S. combat ships.

SK Oceanplant said it completed the final administrative procedures after successfully passing a port security assessment conducted last month by the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP). The agreement formally grants the company access to bid on and execute U.S. Navy ship maintenance contracts under the MSRA framework.

The MSRA program establishes technical, security, and operational standards that shipyards must meet to service U.S. Navy vessels. Once approved, shipyards are eligible to compete for maintenance and repair assignments for deployed ships operating in regional waters.

SK Oceanplant was designated as a defense contractor in the field of naval shipbuilding by the South Korean government in 2017. The company has delivered more than 30 vessels to the Republic of Korea Navy and the Korea Coast Guard.

The firm is currently constructing three follow-on ships—Hull Nos. 2, 3, and 4—of the Navy’s latest Ulsan-class Batch-III frigate program. In addition, it operates a 430-meter ultra-large floating dock and conducts maintenance for more than 30 commercial vessels annually, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and large container ships.

Kang Young-gyu, President of SK Oceanplant, said in a statement, “The signing of the MSRA is not merely a certification but will become a strategic turning point for entry into the global defense industry network.” He added, “We will expand the scope of cooperation with the U.S. Navy and other major allied navies and accelerate our entry into the global MRO market.”