‘Electric Propulsion Ship Launch’ First Horn Sounds in Mokpo

Namhang, a Stepping Stone to Becoming a Global Hub for the Eco-Friendly Shipbuilding Industry

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seung-hyun Jeong] Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do, announced on the 4th that it has launched the country's first electric propulsion car ferry (K-Electric Propulsion Ship).

The launching ceremony was attended by Mokpo Mayor Kim Jong-sik, National Assembly member Kim Won-i, City Council Chairman Park Chang-soo, Director of the Ship and Offshore Plant Research Institute Kim Bu-gi, President of Mokpo Maritime University Han Won-hee, Director of Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute Myung Sung-ho, CEO of Yuil Co., Ltd. Yoo In-sook, and others, who celebrated the successful hull construction and united their efforts to make Mokpo a hub for the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry.

The ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship’ was built as part of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ project for the development of electric propulsion car ferries and mobile power supply systems. The project was led by KRISO, with joint participation from 13 research institutes, private companies, and universities including Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Small and Medium Shipbuilding Research Institute, Yuil, KTE, Raontech, Durasonic, and KAIST.

The ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship’ is a 420-ton vessel measuring 60 meters in length. It is a type of car ferry that can carry 20 vehicles and about 120 passengers. Car ferries are a kind of passenger ship that can transport vehicles and other cargo in an open cargo area along with passengers.

The ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship’ is the world’s first to apply a mobile and replaceable power supply system to respond to Korea’s coastal environment, maximizing the efficiency of power supply. It also has the advantage of not requiring high-voltage facilities to be installed at ports for direct charging of the ship.

Going forward, the ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship’ will undergo subsequent processes and optimization before being directly deployed on routes for operation. Through a systematic demonstration process, technology dissemination and commercialization will be pursued.

The launching of the ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship,’ a signal for the full-scale promotion of the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry, holds great significance environmentally and economically.

Currently operating car ferries use diesel fuel, which emits carbon as well as smoke, noise, and odors.

However, the electric propulsion car ferry uses electricity as 100% of its power source, so it does not emit air pollutants such as fine dust and carbon, produces no vibration, has a high environmental protection effect, and offers a comfortable boarding experience.

The economic impact is also considerable. Globally, the eco-friendly ship market is estimated to be about 270 trillion won. With the launch of the ‘K-Electric Propulsion Ship,’ Korea has created an opportunity to strengthen national competitiveness while responding to the changing global ship market.

The ripple effect on the Mokpo economy is significant as well. The government is actively promoting the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry and has designated Mokpo South Port as a national hub. Accordingly, South Port will concentrate functions related to the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry such as research and development, demonstration, and professional workforce training, advancing into a global center for the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry.

It is also expected to create 49,000 jobs annually, generate up to 2.1 trillion won in annual economic ripple effects, and induce 5 trillion won in production effects.

A city official said, “It is very encouraging that the K-Electric Propulsion Ship, the first fruit of fostering the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry, which is a core future strategic industry of Mokpo, has been launched. We will do our best to accelerate the creation of an eco-friendly ship cluster centered on South Port so that the related industry can firmly establish itself as a solid future growth engine not only for Mokpo but also for the southwestern region of Jeollanam-do.”

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