It had 15 years left of life, but now it has another 30.” Two MRO contracts secured by Hanwha Ocean last year mark the first time a South Korean shipyard has conducted such work for the US Navy, illustrating growing recognition in Washington of the need to harness its Asian allies’ shipbuilding expertise to keep pace with China’s naval build-up.

South Korea conducted major maintenance on an US dry cargo ship, "a landmark achievement," the US Naval Forces Korea commander said.