HD Hyundai Heavy Industries wins second US Navy MRO contract

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured its second maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract from the US Navy, covering scheduled work on the USS Cesar Chavez, a 41,000-ton logistics support ship. The award follows completion of the company’s first US Navy MRO project on the USS Alan Shepard, which departed the Ulsan shipyard on January 6, 2026.

Under the new contract, repair work on the USS Cesar Chavez will commence on January 19 and run until March. The scope includes around 100 work items covering hull structure, propulsion equipment, electrical systems and auxiliary machinery.

An HD Hyundai Heavy Industries official said: “With the establishment of the Naval and Specialised Vessels Division, the company will further strengthen its capabilities to lead the MRO business for US Navy vessels.” The contract forms part of a wider push into defence-related shipbuilding and maintenance.

In December 2025, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries completed its merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, integrating dockyard facilities, personnel and technical resources. The company said the combined capabilities are intended to strengthen its ability to meet US Navy standards and delivery schedules for future fleet maintenance programmes.