Posted on August 27, 2025
Leading repair and shipbuilding companies to team on flexible, innovative solutions to enhance U.S. Navy, MSC support in forward locations, U.S shipbuilding
Vigor Marine Group (VMG), a leading, innovative U.S. provider of maintenance, modernization, and marine services, today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced shipbuilders. The collaboration will bring expanded forward-deployed maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity to the Indo-Pacific region, offering the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) a compelling new option to keep vessels mission-ready. In addition, the two leading companies may explore opportunities to support a U.S. shipbuilding renaissance, including a return to Vigor Marine Group’s shipbuilding roots in the Pacific Northwest.
The U.S. Navy has been actively seeking partners capable of executing forward repair to increase the availability of its fleet. Together, this partnership will combine VMG’s deep customer relationships, proven ability to deliver complex projects on time and on budget, and innovative, commercial mindset with SHI’s world-class Korean shipyard facilities, skilled workforce, and advanced technology leadership. The result is a powerful new forward repair solution designed to add high-quality repair capacity and operational agility, with Vigor Marine Group as the lead U.S.-based prime contractor.
“At Vigor Marine Group, our primary focus is on providing solutions to our customers,”said Francesco Valente, President & CEO of Vigor Marine Group. “We understand the Navy’s evolving needs and have built a track record of delivering results in support of our national defense. Partnering with Samsung allows us to extend that same capability to forward-deployed operations in the Indo-Pacific and potential shipbuilding opportunities here in the U.S. — helping the Navy increase its operational tempo while maintaining the highest quality standards.”
The partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to innovation. VMG continually develops new ways to perform maintenance and modernization work more efficiently and effectively, while SHI leads the global shipbuilding industry in automation, digital shipyard technology, and advanced engineering. Together, they will introduce new levels of innovation to forward repair operations, streamlining processes, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall fleet readiness. Looking ahead, investment and implementation of SHI’s advanced technology could support new shipbuilding opportunities here at home.
“We find it very meaningful to partner with Vigor Marine Group, a leading MRO service provider in the U.S.,” said Sung-an Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. “We will do our utmost to establish a foundation for building commercial and auxiliary ships for the U.S. through the successful delivery of world-class MRO services.”
VMG’s unique ability to manage evolving scopes of work with a commercial mindset helps customers address emerging repair needs efficiently. The company’s leading project and customer management expertise, combing with SHI’s state-of-the-art facilities outside the U.S. provide opportunities to support key customers in real time, in their areas of need. This partnership both supports the readiness of our defense maritime fleet as well as a strong, U.S. industrial base by keeping work within U.S. companies and opening pathways for revitalization of U.S. shipyards for new construction.
About Vigor Marine Group
Vigor Marine Group is a values-driven, established, differentiated, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. With operations in six locations, the family of companies employs 2,500 people in the Pacific Northwest, Virginia, California and Alaska. Our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors, offering advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more. With deep respect for people and the planet, Vigor Marine Group strives to be a positive, regenerative force for good – environmentally, in the lives of its employees and in the community. For more information, visit vigormarine.com.
About Samsung Heavy Industries
Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI), a core subsidiary of the Samsung Group, stands as one of the world’s leading shipbuilders. Established in 1974, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of engineering and construction, solidifying its position as a top shipbuilder in South Korea. The company’s expertise lies in the engineering, procurement, construction, and delivery of a wide range of vessels and offshore facilities. SHI is particularly recognized for its capabilities in building highly technical, high-value-added ships, including: LNG Carrier, Container Ship, FPSO, FLNG, etc. SHI is a key innovator in the industry and has a history of developing and building “world’s first” products, such as the Arctic Shuttle-Tanker and FLNG, which have opened up new markets. With the recent intensification of global efforts to address environmental issues and the transition to the future ship era with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Samsung Heavy Industries is leading the future of the shipbuilding and offshore industry by applying ICT to its business to implement Digital Shipyard and focusing on ship technology development, including autonomous ships and low- and zero-carbon fuel-powered ships.
