Seoul: South Korean shipyards are optimistic about expanding their business in the United States following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's call for increased bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. In a phone conversation with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol after his election victory, Trump expressed interest in collaborating with South Korea in naval shipbuilding, exports, repairs, and maintenance. According to Yonhap News Agency, Mike Waltz, a Floridian congressman and Trump's pick for White House national security adviser, emphasized the need for cooperation with the shipbuilding industries of South Korea, Japan, and European allies. Industry observers interpret these statements as a response to concerns over the U.S. potentially losing maritime dominance to China, which currently leads global shipbuilding orders. An industry expert noted that although the U.S. is a military superpower, its naval strength has declined due to its once-thriving shipbuilding industry's downturn. This sit uation has led to increased calls within the U.S. political arena to rejuvenate the country's shipbuilding sector. China has become a global leader in shipbuilding, holding a market share of 50 percent in 2021 and 60 percent in 2023 regarding order volume. Industry watchers see immediate opportunities for collaboration in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector. Last year, the U.S. Department of Defense allocated approximately US$13.9 billion in its annual budget for naval MRO services. Companies like HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and Hanwha Ocean Co. have actively pursued entry into the American naval MRO market, securing master ship repair agreements with the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command this year. In 2022, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries became the first Korean company to secure an MRO contract from the Philippine Navy. The company also signed an agreement with Poland's Remontowa Shipbuilding for joint MRO operations last month. Hanwha Ocean recently secured contracts to overhaul a 40,000-t on U.S. military logistics vessel and repair the 31,000-ton replenishment oiler USNS Yukon under the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet. U.S. Navy officials have shown increased interest in collaboration by visiting South Korea's major shipyards. In February, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited shipyards of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean. Last month, Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, inspected Hanwha Ocean's ongoing maintenance work on the 40,000-ton logistics vessel, USNS Wally Schirra. Kim Dae-sik, managing director of Hanwha Ocean's MRO business, highlighted the company's dedication to the field, stating, "Leveraging our world-class MRO technology, we are committed to timely deliveries that will enhance U.S. naval power and contribute to the U.S.-Korea alliance."