South Korea Shipbuilding Partnerships

Expanding U.S.–Korea shipbuilding cooperation is creating significant opportunities for U.S. maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers, marine equipment suppliers, shipyard-automation firms, defense-system integrators, and maritime-software companies.

Korea’s shipbuilding industry is emerging as an important partner in U.S. efforts to expand naval and commercial shipbuilding capacity. For American companies, opportunities extend beyond exporting equipment to Korea. A growing model is direct U.S.–Korea partnership, in which Korean firms contribute shipbuilding productivity, engineering, and production expertise, while U.S. companies provide specialized equipment, defense systems, U.S. shipyard capacity, and lifecycle services.

The most immediate opportunity lies in MRO work for the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command. Korean shipbuilders have begun participating in U.S. naval MRO projects and partnering with U.S. companies, creating potential demand for ship repair, drydock capacity, engine overhaul, spare parts, communications upgrades, and power-system modernization.

Additional opportunities exist in supplying marine engines, generators, propulsion controls, fuel and exhaust-treatment systems, switchboards, motor drives, and integrated vessel-control software for Korean shipbuilding projects. U.S. suppliers can increase long-term value by pairing equipment sales with maintenance, spare parts, software updates, and performance-monitoring services, creating recurring lifecycle revenue beyond the initial sale.

U.S. defense and technology companies may also find opportunities in radar, secure communications, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and combat-system integration. Early engagement during vessel design is particularly important. Korean shipbuilders can provide hull construction, design, and production engineering, while U.S. companies contribute defense electronics, mission systems, regulatory expertise, and lifecycle support. Shipyard automation and maritime software offer additional areas for cooperation.

U.S. legal and regulatory requirements will continue to shape the market. U.S. federal law restricts foreign construction of certain vessels for the U.S. Armed Forces, while the Jones Act generally requires vessels transporting cargo between U.S. points to be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed. As a result, MRO, shipyard modernization, equipment supply, software, and lifecycle services represent some of the most accessible opportunities, while direct Korean construction of U.S. Navy combatants or Jones Act vessels remains more constrained.

U.S. companies interested in pursuing these opportunities are encouraged to connect with their local U.S. Export Assistance Center in the United States to schedule a consultation. Interested companies should also participate in KORMARINE, Korea’s leading international marine and shipbuilding exhibition, which brings together major shipbuilders, equipment suppliers, and maritime technology companies. KORMARINE 2027 will be held from October 19–22, 2027, at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO).

For more information, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service Korea: Office.Seoul@trade.gov