The Korea Coast Guard Maintenance Base officially opened in Mokpo City on March 4 after seven years of construction, marking the start of full-scale operations.
The facility will serve as a key base for repairing and maintaining Korea Coast Guard vessels. Together with the existing maintenance facility in Busan, it is expected to strengthen the vessel maintenance system for ships operating in the southwestern waters of Korea.
The Mokpo maintenance base consists of five divisions with a staff capacity of 165 personnel. It is equipped with advanced facilities for servicing large vessels, including a floating dock and a ship lift capable of hauling ships of up to 5,000 tons onto land, as well as a quay designed for maintenance operations.
The base is expected to repair 45 vessels this year, with the number projected to increase to around 160 vessels annually after 2028.
Jeollanam-do Provincial Government said the launch of the maintenance base is expected to boost the regional ship repair industry and support the growth of related marine equipment companies. The province plans to expand opportunities for local ship repair and equipment firms to participate in outsourced maintenance projects.
The provincial government will also work with Mokpo National Maritime University’s Ship Repair Support Center to strengthen local companies’ repair capabilities through professional workforce training, equipment support, and technical consulting.
In addition, the province plans to participate in a naval vessel maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, aiming to help regional companies enter the naval vessel maintenance sector.
Jeollanam-do expects the maintenance base to bring positive economic effects to the region as resident staff, subcontracted repair workers, vessel crews, and trainees increase the flow of people into the area.
The province also plans to improve living conditions for employees stationed at the facility and develop tourism programs for short-term visitors, encouraging them to return to the region even after maintenance operations are completed.
Source: Jeollanam-do Provincial Government
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