▶ 41,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Alan Shepard of the U.S. 7th Fleet enters port ▶ MRO to be conducted at Yeompo Pier near HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan with delivery to the U.S. Navy scheduled by the end of the year ▶ With the merger of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo underway, global naval projects expected to be significantly enhanced ▶ “We will successfully execute MRO operations based on our advanced technologies and expertise”  HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has officially launched its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) project with the U.S. Navy auxiliary ship. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on Tuesday, Sep. 30th that the 41,000-ton U.S. dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Alan Shepard, assigned to the 7th Fleet, recently entered Yeompo Pier near HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan for a regular overhaul. The USNS Alan Shepard MRO project won by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in early August, measures 210 meters in length, 32 meters in width, and 9.4 meters in height. Full-scale maintenance commenced on the day of arrival including inspections of safety equipment and systems, servicing of various tanks, and checkups of onboard equipment. The vessel is scheduled to be handed over to the U.S. Navy by the end of this year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been successfully carrying out MRO projects for global naval ships including the established a logistics support center in the Philippines in 2022 to support MRO operations for vessels delivered to the Philippine Navy. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is currently pursuing a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, scheduled for completion in December. Following the merger, the company’s MRO capabilities for global warships are expected to be significantly enhanced by utilizing HD Hyundai Mipo’s docks and berths. Joo Won-Ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Naval & Special Ship Business Unit, stated, "We will successfully execute this MRO project based on our advanced technologies and expertise, and make every effort to ensure the satisfaction of our client, the U.S. Navy."

▶ Discussed strengthening cooperation for the successful operation of IMI Shipyard and Makeen Engine Manufacturing Company, as well as collaboration on naval ship projects ▶ Held a shipbuilding roundtable to establish a local supply chain in Saudi Arabia, which is seeking investment and participation from Korean companies ▶ “Saudi Arabia is a trusted partner with whom we have long-standing cooperation, and we are committed to ensuring the success of the IMI Shipyard." HD Hyundai will expand its comprehensive shipbuilding cooperation with Saudi Arabia. HD Hyundai announced on Thursday, Sep. 25th, that Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, held a meeting with H.E. Khalid AlFalih, the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Seoul. The meeting was held to discuss practical collaboration measures to ensure the successful operation of the joint shipyard and engine plant being established in Saudi Arabia, as well as the development of a local shipbuilding supply chain. The meeting was also attended by Sulaiman M Albabtain, CEO of Sofon, the state-owned shipbuilding holding company responsible for Saudi Arabia’s shipbuilding and offshore businesses, and Joo Won-ho, Head of the Naval & Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. They also covered ways to enhance mutual cooperation for future naval ship projects. Executive Vice Chairman Chung stated, "Saudi Arabia is a trusted business partner with whom we have had long-standing cooperation. The IMI Shipyard is a symbolic project that demonstrates how HD Hyundai has grown into a company exporting its design expertise in half a century. We will thus devote our utmost efforts to its operation to make it one of the best shipyards.” Following the meeting, a shipbuilding and marine equipment roundtable was held to discuss plans for expanding shipbuilding and establishing a local supply chain within Saudi Arabia. As part of its Vision 2030 project, Saudi Arabia is focusing on strengthening its shipbuilding industry and is seeking investment and participation from Korean companies. In this regard, HD Hyundai is currently constructing the IMI Shipyard and Makeen engine manufacturing company within the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries in Al Jubail, eastern Saudi Arabia, with full operations scheduled for 2026 and 2027, respectively. Once completed, the shipyard and engine plant are expected to have three large docks, four Goliath cranes, and seven berths, enabling it to construct up to 40 vessels annually. 

▶ Held the "Maritime Capabilities & Collaboration Forum" in Malaysia in conjunction with the 3rd Korea-Malaysia Defense Industry Cooperation Seminar ▶ Emphasized support for Malaysia's naval force structure reform and commitment to participating in strategic projects ▶ Anticipating additional ship orders as the Malaysia Navy aims to pursue acquisition of Littoral Mission Ships and Multi-Role Support Ships HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will be expanding its presence in the Southeast Asian naval market, following the Philippines, by pursuing shipbuilding contracts in Malaysia. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shared on Wednesday, Sep. 24, that it hosted the Maritime Capability & Collaboration Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was held in conjunction with the 3rd Korea-Malaysia Defense Industry Cooperation Seminar, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia. The event was attended by Chun Jungsoo, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, senior officials from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Ministry of Defence Malaysia, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia, and representatives from local industries. At the forum, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries highlighted its vision to support Malaysia’s navy under the “15-to-5 Transformation Plan” and its readiness to participate in upcoming strategic projects. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also introduced its naval portfolio including the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch-III, Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS), and the Multi-Purpose Command Platform (MPCP). Here, the company shared examples of design applications and operational track records that support the naval ships’ core mission capabilities to strengthen maritime security. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries continued to explain its approach of combining global shipbuilding expertise with local participation through cooperation examples in Peru and the Philippines, and expressed its commitment to support the growth of Malaysia’s defense industry through technology transfer, industrial collaboration, and training initiatives. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is currently pursuing a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, aiming to further strengthen its capabilities in Naval & Special Ships. Through this merger, the company aims to significantly enhance its ability to respond to future naval shipbuilding projects in Southeast Asia. In his remarks, Chun stated, “HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is proud to share its advanced naval solutions with the Royal Malaysian Navy and Ministry of Defence Malaysia. We are ready to support Malaysia’s modernization journey by offering proven platforms, reliable performance, and long-term cooperation that combines global know-how with meaningful local partnership.” Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured and built a total of 10 vessels for the Philippines since 2016, including two frigates, two corvettes, and six offshore patrol vessels. In 2022, the company opened a logistics support center at the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the delivered vessels.