Jeonnam Province Lays Foundation to Become Hub of Eco-Friendly Shipbuilding Industry Ecosystem

Signed Business Agreement with 36 Organizations and Companies

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has laid the groundwork to become a central hub for the eco-friendly ship industry ecosystem.

On the 28th, the province announced that it signed an 'Industry-Academia-Research-Government Cooperation Agreement for the Creation of an Eco-Friendly Ship Ecosystem' with 36 organizations and companies, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Mokpo City, Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO), and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, at Hotel Hyundai in Yeongam.

The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province; Moon Sung-hyuk, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries; National Assembly members Seo Sam-seok and Kim Won-i; Kim Jong-sik, Mayor of Mokpo; Kim Bu-gi, Director of KRISO; and Kim Hyung-kwan, CEO of Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.

From the government and local governments, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Jeonnam Province, and Mokpo City participated, while classification societies, research institutes, and universities included Korean Register, KRISO, KOMERI, RIMS, Mokpo National University, and Mokpo Maritime University.

Shipping companies such as KSS Shipping, H Line Shipping, and Sea World Express Ferry joined, along with shipyards and equipment companies including Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, Daehan Shipbuilding, Yuil, JK Heavy Industries, Hyundai Global Service, Hanwha Defense, Doosan Fuel Cell, KTE, Samhyun, Durasoic, San Engineering, Raontech, and Trans Gas Solution.

Engineering firms involved include Vinsen, Daehan Ship Technology, Ginos, and Lee Young S&D.

Under the agreement, each organization and company will establish mutual cooperation to promote research and development, introduction, and practical application of eco-friendly ships and work together to create an ecosystem.

They will also utilize core technologies to realize the Korean New Deal and lead industrial development.

In particular, a large-scale network has been formed with the government, local governments, leading domestic research institutes, universities, classification societies, shipbuilding and equipment companies, and engineering firms.

Accordingly, from research and development to demonstration and commercialization of eco-friendly ships, a 'full-cycle value chain for eco-friendly ships' will be established, accelerating the creation and industrialization of Jeonnam’s eco-friendly coastal ship cluster.

As global warming worsens climate change and regulations on greenhouse gases for ships tighten, eco-friendly ship technology is emerging as a core technology that will determine the future of the shipbuilding industry.

Jeonnam Province and Mokpo City have been working since last year with KRISO to build an eco-friendly ship cluster centered on Mokpo South Port to advance a carbon-neutral society and create a new breakthrough for the shipbuilding industry.

In this regard, they are proactively leading eco-friendly ship R&D projects such as the development of electric propulsion roll-on/roll-off ships and mobile power supply systems (45 billion KRW), and the development and demonstration of eco-friendly ship mixed fuel technologies (41.5 billion KRW).

They are also striving to secure detailed project tasks for the multi-ministerial preliminary feasibility study 'Full-cycle Innovation Technology Development Project for Eco-Friendly Ships (254 billion KRW)' passed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in June.

Governor Kim Young-rok said, “Let us develop eco-friendly ship technologies that will accelerate the realization of a carbon-neutral society, open a new future for the shipbuilding industry, and secure a global new market,” adding, “Jeonnam will actively lead the creation of an industrial ecosystem to become the center of Korea’s eco-friendly ship industry.”

He also requested Minister Moon Sung-hyuk, saying, “Jeonnam has the largest number of domestic coastal ships and routes, and is home to concentrated research and innovation institutions related to eco-friendly ships, making it the optimal location for the national project ‘Full-cycle Innovation Technology Development for Eco-Friendly Ships.’ Please establish the project team overseeing the feasibility study in Jeonnam and expand participation of local industry, academia, and research institutes in detailed tasks.”

Additionally, he explained and requested support for marine and fisheries issues including ▲support for full-cycle innovation technology development for eco-friendly ships ▲designation of a special zone for offshore wind power at Mokpo New Port ▲construction of the 3-2 phase container terminal at Gwangyang Port ▲government subsidies for half-price fares for general passengers on island ferries ▲promotion of fishing village and fishing port regeneration projects ▲creation of the Dadohae tidal flat wetland garden ▲and increased disaster recovery support rates for aquatic organisms.

Governor Kim emphasized, “Korea’s tidal flats have been registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The Dadohae tidal flats in Jeonnam, which account for 87% of the nation’s tidal flats, are the largest blue carbon storage, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Jeonnam needs to create the ‘Dadohae Tidal Flat Wetland Garden.’”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.