Mokpo City Moves to Fully Promote Entry into the Naval Vessel MRO Market

Pioneering New Markets in the Ship Repair Industry

Shipbuilding company in Sapjin Nonggongdanji, Mokpo. Provided by Mokpo City

Mokpo City in South Jeolla Province has begun in earnest to enter the naval vessel MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) market, opening up a new market for the ship repair industry.

According to the city, naval vessel MRO is a field whose strategic importance is growing in line with the United States' policy to revive its shipbuilding industry. To respond to the aging of its naval vessels and the resulting increase in maintenance demand, the United States is gradually expanding overseas MRO operations by utilizing shipyards in allied countries. In February 2025, the scope of cooperation was further broadened with the introduction of the Naval Readiness Assurance Act and the Coast Guard Readiness Assurance Act, which allow the construction of naval vessels in allied countries.

The U.S. Navy naval vessel MRO market is estimated to be worth about 20 trillion won per year. Domestic shipbuilding companies are also building credibility through participation in this market and are gradually expanding the scope of their entry.

In Mokpo, more than 50 shipbuilding and equipment companies are clustered around the Sapjin General Industrial Complex, and some companies are taking preemptive steps to prepare for the naval vessel MRO business by expanding their facilities and advancing their technologies.

Accordingly, starting in 2026, the city plans to support full-scale market entry by local companies through two initiatives: the Support Project for Strengthening the Global Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Shipyards in Naval Vessel MRO, and the Naval Vessel MRO Cluster Development Project.

Through the Support Project for Strengthening the Global Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Shipyards in Naval Vessel MRO, the city will comprehensively promote support for obtaining Maintenance Ship Repair Agreements (MSRA), the establishment of an integrated supply-chain platform to respond to U.S. Navy naval vessel MRO, and the training of specialized personnel. In addition, the cluster development project will focus on strengthening the local cooperation system by building a support center for partner companies to promote the development of core naval vessel MRO technologies and the shared use of equipment.

The city plans to diversify its shipbuilding industry portfolio and further advance the ship repair industry ecosystem through this market entry, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle that leads to job creation and population growth.

An official from the city stated, "Entering the naval vessel MRO market will be a new turning point for Mokpo's ship repair industry," adding, "We will strengthen administrative and institutional support to ensure the sustainable growth of local industries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.