US Military Supply Ship Visits Again: Examining the Real Economic Impact (2025.11.24/News Desk/MBC Gyeongnam)

Yes. Next story. The US Navy supply ship USNS Supply, which Hanwha Ocean serviced last year, has returned to Korea. It is undergoing maintenance at Masan Gapo New Port for internal repairs and remodeling, and reporter Lee Sang-hoon investigated the ripple effect on the local economy. The US Navy supply ship USNS Supply is docked at the Masan Gapo New Port terminal. Maintenance technicians are busy moving in and out, and work is underway in areas covered by tarps. Repaired parts are being lowered by a large crane. This vessel, which was serviced for half a year after entering Hanwha Ocean in Geoje last year, has now entered Gapo New Port for self-maintenance, including internal remodeling. This initiative followed Hanwha Ocean establishing a warship MRO cluster council with small and medium-sized enterprises in May, and it is also benefiting the local economy. The operator of Gapo New Port is handling the overall process management and maintenance of general living facilities. We are supporting the living facility, or general service part, inside the ship, and remodeling it. Other local companies are inspecting the ship and engines, and handling electrical work. Some shipbuilding companies are also scheduled to participate in the MRO for the US Navy's high-speed transport vessel made of aluminum. They select companies with defense industry records or extensive experience among specialized companies, so our company is fully qualified. Due to the maintenance, about 100 US Navy personnel are staying at five hotels in Changwon for about two months, and shuttle buses transporting them are also benefiting the local economy. It's called a track record; if there's a record of actual work, it makes future bidding and work easier. If we build a good record and gain trust this time, in the long run, it will lead to local jobs. The USNS Supply is scheduled to depart after about 50 days of maintenance by late next month. However, although the maintenance work requires 7,000kW of electricity, Gapo New Port can only supply about 1,000kW.