Chapter 135: Foundations of the U.S. Advancement (5)

After the Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering hearing, Daehan Group filed a lawsuit against Kim Jongseok.

It would have been very difficult if an individual had to handle it alone.

Fortunately, I was providing help even with that part.

-Representative Lim, have you been well? I am doing well thanks to you, Representative. The trial is also proceeding smoothly because you gave so much help.

I replied with a short laugh.

“Not at all. I also have many things for which I am indebted to you, Senior. Actually, the reason I contacted you today is because I need technical advice.”

Kim Jongseok was glad to hear that.

In fact, he was indebted to me in many ways.

From his daughter’s hospital bills to the matters involving Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

All of it would have been things he could not even handle if not for me.

Therefore, he was to the point of being rather thankful that something arose where he was needed.

-What is the matter? Seeing that you contacted me personally, Representative, it does not seem like a simple matter.

I went straight to the main point.

“That is correct. A problem broke out at an LNG small vessel being built by Yeongnam Marine Industry. In the U.S. ABS preliminary certification examination, a point was raised that the serial numbers of components used in the LNG storage tank piping line were inconsistent. They are components included in the certified material list, but in the actual inspection process, the serial numbers and supply lines did not match.”

Kim Jongseok paused for a moment and then asked.

-When was that notified?

“It was this morning. I am on my way back after just finishing a site inspection.”

-I see.

Kim Jongseok was quiet as if he were lost in thought.

Then he opened his mouth.

-Representatively, the fact that a serial mismatch popped up in the LNG tank line will not be a matter that ends as a simple administrative mistake. If the U.S. certification agency pointed that out, it means there is already something clearly not fitting in the material tracking data. Since the tank line is a section where high pressure and low temperature states continue, if even one pipe goes in wrong, it affects the stability of the entire system. ABS is not picking on only that side for no reason.

The more I heard my senior Kim Jongseok’s words, the more question points arose.

“I just received the delivery history from Yeongnam Marine Industry and checked it. However, in the line that should have come directly from the manufacturer, an unfamiliar name called ‘J&T Marine Tech’ was caught in the middle. Normally, it is normal to deliver directly from the manufacturer to Yeongnam Marine Industry, but it is a form where these guys entered once in the middle.”

Kim Jongseok asked back.

-J&T Marine Tech? I have also only heard the name of that side. I do not think I saw them on the official certified partner list…. By any chance, can I know which line that component serial corresponds to?

I checked the tablet and skimmed the materials.

“It is a component that goes into the main piping middle flange(Flange) connecting from the tank to the primary vaporizer. What ABS pointed out is exactly that line. It is the section where pressure is most concentrated.”

-Then it is even more strange.

Kim Jongseok’s voice sank lowly.

-That section is troublesome even to change one component. It is a core section where pipe pressure tests, cryogenic response, and welding certification must all be received again. The fact that a component from a non-certified company squeezed in there might perhaps be a simple delivery error, but… I honestly think the probability is low. The middle supplier might have intentionally inserted it, or someone might have swapped the line.

My gaze changed sharply.

“I also had that thought. Because the timing is like that, and this kind of thing happened right before the formal certification. If it were just a mistake, there is no reason for it to be now of all times.”

Kim Jongseok let out a small sigh.

-ABS does not end it with just a warning in such cases. If caught again in the formal certification, the delivery schedule itself will be pushed back, and it will be processed as a violation on paper. If that happens, a hitch immediately occurs in the contract schedule with the U.S. shipowner.

“Yes. So I think I must take action right now.”

I spoke calmly.

“Senior, I have something to ask of you. Could you look into J&T Marine Tech? What kind of company they were in the past, and also if there were any precedents of them causing problems in this industry.”

-I understand. I will check through the lines I know. Since that side is small in scale even within the industry, information will probably come out soon. I will contact you as soon as it is confirmed.

“Thank you, Senior.”

-Don't mention it. To repay what you have helped me with until now, Representative Lim, there would be no end. Please tell me whenever there is work you need.

After finishing the call, I put the cell phone in my pocket.

Then, I closed my eyes for a moment while rubbing my stiff eyes, perhaps because I was tired.

The inside of the car was full only of the engine sound.

When we arrived at Sammyeong Heavy Industries, it was just past 2 PM.

As we passed the main entrance and went inside, a giant crane stood tall above the factory roof.

Here, as in Yeongnam Marine Industry, metallic sounds and welding sparks flew in various places.

The workshop atmosphere was very lively.

President Kim Byeong-kwon and Manager Han Dae-gyu led the site personally.

President Kim, perhaps having been deeply impressed at Yeongnam Marine Industry, was enthusiastic in his explanation.

“Thank you for coming to our Sammyeong Heavy Industries site.”

Kim Byeong-kwon said while pointing at the surroundings.

“This is the heart of our Sammyeong Heavy Industries. Our company mainly specializes in ship component processing and precision assembly. Simply put, it is a place where we personally make and assemble the precise components that go into a ship.”

Manager Han Dae-gyu continued the explanation.

“As you all well know, the fields where we particularly have strength are special welding and component manufacturing for extreme environments. These days, LNG carriers or special vessels operate in cryogenic environments close to 40 degrees below zero, and there must be technology to make components that can endure that.”

He pointed to a nearby work area.

Workers dressed in welding clothes were precisely joining long pipes together.

The sparks flashed, but the movements were very careful.

“Do you see? What they are doing there is the special alloy welding that we boast of. It is not general iron, but the technology of precisely joining special metals that do not break even at low temperatures. Because a problem arises even at a very minute error, anyone who is not a skilled worker cannot even dare to touch it.”

President Kim Byeong-kwon added while laughing.

“In short, we have pride in making components that do not easily break. If an important component goes wrong in one ship, a project worth hundreds of billions can be delayed entirely. I am embarrassed to say it myself, but in this industry, they say they trust and use it if it is made at Sammyeong.”

Manager Han continued to explain.

“And the place you see over there is the assembly line. We do not simply attach components, but proceed with everything from welding to assembly and testing all at once. Every component has a unique number, and it is all recorded as to when and through whose hands it passed. If a problem arises later, the path can be known immediately just by tracking that number.”

I nodded and looked around one by one.

The site was much more systematic and precise than I thought.

Rather than a simple component manufacturing factory, it was closer to a feast of technology where precision machinery and people interlocked and operated elaborately.

I admired and said.

“Certainly, the management system is clear just by looking.”

Kim Byeong-kwon said while revealing confidence.

“Yes. Such technical power is why Yeongnam Marine Industry entrusts us with component manufacturing. I am proud that the quality is certain.”

After looking around the site for a round, these people moved to the building where the office was located, following President Kim Byeong-kwon’s guidance.

Inside the neatly organized office, a large meeting table was seen.

Manager Han Dae-gyu said as he went out with an employee to prepare tea.

“The wind is cold because it is winter. First, please have some warm tea.”

Soon he came in with warm citron tea.

After pleasantries went back and forth while they drank tea for a moment, I brought up the main point.

“President Kim Byeong-kwon, this is purely my thought, but….”

Kim Byeong-kwon nodded and said.

“Yes, please speak without reservation.”

I started to bring up what happened at Yeongnam Marine Industry in the morning.

From the risk of schedule delay due to the component serial number mismatch problem that occurred in the ABS preliminary certification examination process to the supplier called J&T Marine Tech.

As the explanation ended, the expressions of Kim Byeong-kwon and Han Dae-gyu became even more serious.

“If such a point was raised by ABS, it is actually a quite serious problem.”

As Manager Han spoke in a low voice, I nodded and asked.

“So what I thought was, how about replacing the problematic piping components with components manufactured at Sammyeong Heavy Industries? I judge that if it is Sammyeong Heavy Industries, the certification procedure can also proceed quickly again.”

Kim Byeong-kwon fell into thought for a moment.

He asked Han Dae-gyu, who was sitting next to him.

“When does the schedule for what we were manufacturing as spares end?”

“It will be completed in a day or two.”

At Manager Han Dae-gyu’s answer, President Kim Byeong-kwon’s expression brightened.

“It happened to work out well. We have components that we manufactured as spares. Completion is possible in a day or two. Since it is in progress according to ABS standards, there will be no big problem in the certification procedure either.”

My gaze flashed.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. It was originally being manufactured as surplus according to another project schedule, but because the specifications are not greatly different from those of the Yeongnam Marine Industry side, it can be matched with just a little bit of touch.”

Kim Byeong-kwon explained confidently.

I turned my head and looked at President Lee Seok-bae.

President Lee Seok-bae was also listening to the story together from the beginning.

At the Sammyeong Heavy Industries side’s proposal, he fell into thought.

Then, he opened his mouth while wearing a complicated expression.

“Certainly, if manufacturing is possible at Sammyeong Heavy Industries, the certification examination will be able to be resolved without problem.”

Somewhat of a hesitation was mixed in President Lee Seok-bae’s voice.

“However, realistically, there is a bit of an awkward part. The settlement for the component payment already received from J&T Marine Tech has finished. If we replace them with components produced at Sammyeong Heavy Industries, all the existing components must be discarded. That amount is also not to be trifled with.”

As he finished speaking, silence flowed for a moment inside the meeting room.

Manager Han Dae-gyu looked at Kim Byeong-kwon while gauging his mood. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Kim Byeong-kwon also nodded and let out a sigh as if admitting it was a realistic problem.

President Kim Byeong-kwon said calmly.

“That is right. If even the delivery has already finished, it would not be a problem that ends with simple replacement.”

I gathered my thoughts slowly while listening to their conversation silently.

I knew better than anyone the reason why President Lee Seok-bae was feeling awkward now.

However, to me, this was also the easiest problem to resolve.

I smiled calmly and spoke without wavering.

“President, I also fully understand that point. However, if the schedule is delayed while trying to save on component costs, that loss will become bigger. If the ABS certification is late, the delivery schedule will be pushed back and trust can also be cracked. Even if a short-term loss is endured, responding quickly now is ultimately the way to protect the company.”

President Lee Seok-bae lowered his head as if he were in a difficult spot.

It was not an easy problem to decide.

It was not simply easy to endure the loss entirely.

“I also know that. However, the amount is a bit too burdensome. Because it is not a problem that can be easily decided at the company level.”

I spoke as if making a decision.

“I will take responsibility for that part.”