{"id":2206332,"date":"2024-08-30T21:46:46","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T12:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206332"},"modified":"2024-09-02T16:10:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T07:10:30","slug":"hanwha-ocean-wins-first-us-navy-maintenance-contract-paving-way-for-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/08\/hanwha-ocean-wins-first-us-navy-maintenance-contract-paving-way-for-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Hanwha Ocean wins first US Navy maintenance contract, paving way for expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"
Hanwha Ocean secured a m<\/span>aintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract<\/span><\/a> with the U.S. Navy on Thursday, becoming the first South Korean shipyard to secure such an agreement. This deal allows Hanwha Ocean to conduct comprehensive maintenance on a 40,000-ton U.S. Navy logistics support vessel at its Geoje Shipyard in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n It presents both opportunities and risks, offering Hanwha Ocean a chance to expand its market presence while also posing challenges related to regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and geopolitical dynamics.<\/span><\/p>\n STRATEGIC DIVERSIFICATION<\/b><\/p>\n The MRO contract represents an opportunity for the company to diversify its operations beyond South Korea. Although the current contract is limited to a single vessel, the successful completion of this project could position Hanwha Ocean as a trusted partner for future U.S. Navy contracts.<\/span><\/p>\n The U.S. Navy frequently requires maintenance and overhaul services for its extensive fleet, and consistent performance could help Hanwha Ocean secure additional projects. It is notable that the U.S. Navy\u2019s MRO market is worth about $15 billion (20 trillion won) per year.<\/span><\/p>\n If Hanwha Ocean\u2019s MRO work on this logistics support vessel meets or exceeds expectations, the company may gain further opportunities to work on other U.S. naval vessels, potentially becoming the company\u2019s new cash cow.<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, the U.S. Navy offered BAE Systems a <\/span>$200 million contract<\/span><\/a> in 2020 to drydock and perform nearly 18 months of maintenance and modernization work aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer.<\/span><\/p>\n However, to capitalize on such opportunities, Hanwha Ocean will need to abide by stringent U.S. regulations and standards.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, the company will have to adhere to the <\/span>International Traffic in Arms Regulations<\/span><\/a> (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related articles and services to safeguard U.S. national security interests.<\/span><\/p>\n ITAR also includes restrictions on the sharing of sensitive technologies and information with third parties, which could complicate Hanwha Ocean\u2019s collaboration with other entities.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense imposes rigorous cybersecurity standards, particularly under the <\/span>Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification<\/span><\/a>, which requires contractors to demonstrate adequate protection of <\/span>Controlled Unclassified Information<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Hanwha Ocean must also meet stringent quality assurance standards, such as those outlined in the <\/span>Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement<\/span><\/a>, which mandates compliance with specific manufacturing and quality control processes.<\/span><\/p>\n Failure to meet these expectations could result in penalties, disqualification from contracts, or damage to Hanwha Ocean\u2019s reputation as a reliable defense partner.<\/span><\/p>\n