South Korea to map out national framework for autonomous shipping

Reinforcing the drive to ‘modernize’ and digitize its shipping industry, South Korea is set to establish a long-term strategy, aiming to bring autonomous vessel technology into commercial use.

According to the country’s Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries (MOF), the plan encompasses a decade-long framework pertaining to the engineering of technologies deemed ‘critical’ to build autonomous ships, ensuring that the South Korean maritime transportation industry can keep up with the technology, fostering professional talent, and revising related national policies where needed.

Minister Kang Do-hyung has noted that MOF will work together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) to turn the vision into reality within a year. He added that South Korea intends to collaborate with international partners, as well, with the goal of helping to institute a global regulatory framework on the design, building and operations of autonomous vessels.

“Autonomous ships, based on advanced digital technologies such as AI, will be a turning point for the maritime logistics industry, contributing to safety and carbon reductions. We will step up our response and cooperation to ensure that South Korea’s technological capabilities and