[The Hwankyung Ilbo] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Moon Sung-hyuk) announced in Mokpo on July 28 (Wednesday) that it will sign an "Industry, Academic, Association, and Government Business Agreement" with Jeollanam-do, Mokpo City, 26 shipbuilding, equipment, shipping companies, five public and research institutions.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries enacted a law on the development and distribution of eco-friendly ships in 2020 to proactively respond to the transition of the shipbuilding and shipping industries to strengthen environmental regulations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

In July of the same year, the Green New Deal project was selected as a Korean version of the Green New Deal project, and the company is pushing for the development of electric-powered lanes and eco-friendly ship mixed fuel technology.

In June this year, through the "2030 Shipping Industry Leader Country Development Strategy," the company presented a vision to commercialize eco-friendly ships in Korea by 15 percent by 2030 and carbon-free ships by 2050.

In line with this policy trend, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries signed this business agreement to establish a regional-oriented industry ecosystem that supports the development of eco-friendly ship-related technologies and the revitalization of industries.

Under the agreement, the government will provide research and development support for eco-friendly technologies to apply to small and medium-sized vessels such as passenger ships, laneboats and fishing boats, which are expected to serve as a medium for creating an eco-friendly ship ecosystem.

In particular, by March 2023, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to establish research facilities in Mokpo that demonstrate eco-friendly ship technology on land and sea and evaluate stability so that it can be used in industries, schools, and universities. In addition, the company plans to promote international standardization so that technologies developed in the future can be recognized by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Standardization Organization (ISO) and promote overseas expansion. 

In line with this, 26 shipbuilding, equipment, and shipping companies, Mokpo National University, Mokpo National Maritime University, and Korea Ship and Marine Plant Research Institute plan to develop technology and share performance, and hire local companies after training.

Meanwhile, there are 1,100 small and medium-sized ships that pass through the Southwest Sea centered on Mokpo City, and more than 150 shipbuilding, equipment, and shipping companies are gathered, so Jeollanam-do and Mokpo will focus on building infrastructure such as electric charging stations for eco-friendly ship commercialization.

"The transformation of the eco-friendly paradigm of shipbuilding and shipping industries is a must-go path," said Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Sung-hyuk. "We hope that R&D results will actively create a success model for the transition of Southwest Sea-friendly ships, which leads to a virtuous cycle of regional economy, job creation, and overseas expansion."