South Korea is moving to support the transition of 889 private and public vessels to eco-friendly models by 2035.
The ministry of oceans and fisheries unveiled the second basic plan for the development and deployment of eco-friendly vessels for the 2026-2035 period.
The plan is to support eco-friendly vessel design and equipment testing to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized shipbuilders and marine equipment companies.
South Korea will also promote the domestic construction of eco-friendly ships through strategic cooperation between the shipbuilding and shipping industries, according to the ministry.
The programme is based on five areas: research and development of lower-carbon ships, commercialisation of new technology, expansion of green-fuel infrastructure, wider deployment of eco-friendly vessels and development of a green shipping and shipbuilding ecosystem.
The programme is being advanced alongside the Special Act on Support for the Establishment of Green Shipping Corridors scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027.
The draft subordinate legislation sets out the detailed standards needed to operate green shipping lanes.
It specifies the fuel requirements for green ships operating on these routes and establishes the requirements ports must meet to supply eco-friendly fuel. It also lays out the procedures and criteria for drawing up a master plan and for designating green shipping lanes.
“We will implement the second basic plan for eco-friendly ships without setbacks to secure a leading position in the global eco-friendly vessel market and create new work opportunities for the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem,” a senior official at the ministry of trade, industry and resources said.
“While the eco-friendly ships act focused on supporting vessels for the development and wider adoption of green technology, the Special Act on Supporting the Establishment of Green Shipping Lanes will support decarbonization across the entire shipping process,” stressed an official at the ministry of oceans and fisheries. “Based on both policies, we will actively work to build a maritime decarbonization ecosystem and help our industry lead the global market.”
