'Korea Maritime Safety Authority and Polytech University Join Hands to Train Experts and Improve Ship Quality'

Industry-Academia Cooperation MOU in Maritime Traffic Safety Sector

The Korea Maritime Safety Authority (KOMSA) has decided to collaborate with Korea Polytechnic University (KOPO) to train specialized technical personnel in order to enhance the quality of ship inspections.

On the 28th, KOMSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for industry-academia cooperation in the field of maritime transportation safety with KOPO at the Incheon Smart Ship Safety Support Center.

According to the agreement, both organizations will first join forces to train specialized personnel in ship inspection technologies, including welding techniques for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ships, an eco-friendly ship material. HDPE is gaining attention as a material to replace fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). Compared to FRP, it has the advantage of slower ignition speed during fires and produces almost no toxic gases. Additionally, unlike FRP, HDPE does not generate microplastics or waste during ship disposal and is recyclable, making it an eco-friendly material. Currently, 97% of small fishing vessels in Korea are constructed with FRP.

In the short term, KOPO’s specialized faculty will participate in KOMSA’s HDPE ship welding technology training, and in the mid to long term, KOPO plans to establish a specialized course for eco-friendly small fishing vessels to cultivate experts in this field. KOMSA will conduct research on HDPE small fishing vessel construction technology, prototype vessel construction and demonstration, and related regulatory improvements by 2025. Through this, KOMSA aims to begin full-scale commercialization of HDPE small fishing vessels starting in 2026.

Additionally, KOMSA will promote vocational competency enhancement training programs for ship inspectors to improve the quality of ship inspections. KOPO plans to provide training for current workers in non-destructive testing technologies such as infrared thermography and ultrasonic testing, as well as welding and other technical fields.

Reemployment education opportunities will also be provided for employees nearing retirement. KOMSA, together with KOPO, will operate reemployment programs for soon-to-retire employees, including practical electrical equipment and forklift operation management. Retirees can participate in KOPO’s specialized courses for the middle-aged and older demographic.

Kim Jun-seok, Chairman of KOMSA, stated, "Through this agreement, the capabilities of KOMSA’s ship inspectors will be strengthened and the quality of inspections improved, thereby enhancing ship safety. Along with this, KOMSA will actively promote industry-academia exchanges that respond to current trends such as eco-friendly ships to achieve tangible results in the field of maritime transportation safety."

Lim Chung-geon, Acting Chairman of Korea Polytechnic University (left), and Kim Jun-seok, Chairman of the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, signed a business agreement on the 28th at the Smart Ship Safety Support Center in Jung-gu, Incheon, to foster technical personnel in the maritime transportation and safety fields and to strengthen the capabilities of current employees, and are taking a commemorative photo.

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