South Korean shipbuilder SK Oceanplant has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy, allowing it to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work on U.S. warships.
The company earned the certification after successfully completing a port security assessment by the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, granting it eligibility to participate in Navy MRO contracts.
South Korean shipbuilder SK Oceanplant has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy, enabling the company to compete for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contracts for U.S. naval vessels. The announcement was made on February 10.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the MSRA is an official certification issued by the U.S. Navy to qualified domestic and allied shipyards. Shipyards holding this certification are authorized to participate in MRO projects for major naval platforms, including U.S. combat ships.
SK Oceanplant confirmed that it completed all administrative requirements after successfully passing a port security inspection conducted by the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) last month. The agreement allows the company to bid for and carry out maintenance work on U.S. Navy ships under the MSRA framework.
The MSRA program sets strict technical, security, and operational requirements that shipyards must meet to service U.S. Navy vessels. Once approved, participating shipyards can compete for repair and maintenance tasks for deployed U.S. ships operating in regional waters.
SK Oceanplant was officially designated as a naval shipbuilding defense contractor by the South Korean government in 2017. Since then, the company has delivered more than 30 vessels to the Republic of Korea Navy and the Korea Coast Guard.
The company is currently building three additional ships—Hull Nos. 2, 3, and 4—under the Ulsan-class Batch-III frigate program. It also operates a 430-meter ultra-large floating dock and provides maintenance services to over 30 commercial vessels annually, including LNG carriers, very large crude carriers, and large container ships.
Company President Kang Young-gyu stated that signing the MSRA represents more than a certification, calling it a strategic milestone for entering the global defense industry network. He added that SK Oceanplant aims to expand cooperation with the U.S. Navy and allied naval forces while accelerating its position in the global MRO market.
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