# Korean Yards Win US Navy Overhauls for 43% of Cargo Fleet

*Six Lewis and Clark-class supply ships have moved to Korean docks since 2024, shifting maintenance away from West Coast yards as work scopes expand.*

**Published:** October 31, 2026  
**By:** Hyun-jung Lee  
**Section:** Shipbuilding & Defense — South Korea  
**Format:** Breaking  
**Confidence:** high  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/korean-yards-win-us-navy-overhauls-43-cargo-fleet-1025  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

---

## What to know

- Korean shipyards captured depot maintenance for six of 14 U.S. T-AKE cargo ships
- HD Hyundai contracts approach $40 million as repair work scopes widened
- Master Ship Repair Agreements for the three Korean yards run through 2029 and 2031

![Shipyard workers stand in a dry dock before the hull and propeller of a large vessel undergoing maintenance. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-10-30-9f9fc3fd3d19.webp)
*Shipyard workers stand in a dry dock before the hull and propeller of a large vessel undergoing maintenance. (AI-generated image)*

U.S. defense procurement records confirmed Oct. 30 that South Korean shipyards have secured depot maintenance contracts for six of the U.S. Navy's 14 Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships.

The awards shift 42.9% of the 41,000-ton auxiliary fleet away from dry docks on the U.S. West Coast. They route heavy maritime sustainment directly into South Korean commercial shipyards under Master Ship Repair Agreements.

*The rest of this briefing is for members. Creating an account is free. [Continue reading](https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/korean-yards-win-us-navy-overhauls-43-cargo-fleet-1025).*

---

Cite as: East Asia Brief, "Korean Yards Win US Navy Overhauls for 43% of Cargo Fleet," October 31, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/korean-yards-win-us-navy-overhauls-43-cargo-fleet-1025