HJ Heavy Industries, based in South Korea, has completed the repair and renovation project of the military supply ship USNS Amelia Earhart, which was larger than initially planned, and delivered it to the United States Navy. This project aligns with the U.S. Navy's "Strengthening Indo-Pacific Maintenance Capabilities" policy, aimed at reducing the time ships are out of service and the region, as well as alleviating the workload on shipbuilding facilities in the United States.
Details of the Repair and Renovation Project
While the United States had previously sent several other ships from the Lewis and Clark class for repairs to South Korea, this project marks the first time a medium-sized South Korean shipyard has successfully undertaken one of these projects. HJ Heavy Industries has formed a team of other suppliers, enabling it to compete with the largest shipbuilders in Korea. Previously, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai had received the first repair orders from the United States.
The USS Amelia Earhart is a logistics support ship weighing 40,000 tons, commissioned in 2008, and measuring 210 meters (689 feet) in length. This ship can supply up to 6,000 tons of ammunition, food, and cargo, as well as 2,400 tons of fuel to support U.S. Navy vessels.
Challenges and Progress
The contract for the ship's repair was issued in December 2025, and the ship arrived at the Yeongdo shipyard in Busan, South Korea, in January. The project was initially planned for a three-month repair period. HJ Heavy Industries has reported that as part of the scheduled maintenance, inspections of the hull and main systems of the ship were conducted, and several "deficiencies" not mentioned in the initial contract were identified, along with proposed improvements to the design. The U.S. Navy accepted this proposal, resulting in the scope of work being extended by another six months.
The final delivery of the project took place on October 14, and the U.S. Navy sent a letter of appreciation to the yard, expressing gratitude for the work done on the ship. HJ Heavy Industries is aiming for future orders, leveraging the success of this project.
Since the initiation of the advanced repair policy, the Navy and the Military Logistics Command have conducted repairs in South Korea, India, and Japan. They have also sent warships for repairs to Japan instead of returning them to the usual process in the United States. Recently, the United States also transferred one of its guided missile destroyers, USS Arleigh Burke, for repairs to a dry dock in Spain, marking the first time that the fleet stationed in Europe has used a commercial yard for routine repair work.
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