"Envisioning the Future of Arctic Shipping in 2035"... Korea, China, and Japan Hold NPARC Meeting in Shanghai

North Pacific Arctic Research Institutions Council
Discussion on Digital and Eco-friendly Shipping Strategies

Arctic experts from Korea, China, and Japan gathered to develop a blueprint for the eco-friendly and digital transformation of Arctic shipping.

The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI, President Cho Jeonghee) held the 'North Pacific Arctic Research Center (NPARC)' meeting in Shanghai, China on the 15th.

The Korea Maritime Institute held the 'North Pacific Arctic Research Center (NPARC)' meeting in Shanghai, China on the 15th and is taking a commemorative photo. Photo by KMI

This meeting was co-hosted by KMI, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, and Hokkaido University in Japan, with participation from 16 Arctic-related research institutions from the three countries, including the Korea Polar Research Institute, the China Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, and the National Institute of Polar Research of Japan.

The theme of this year's meeting was "Outlook for 2035: Eco-friendly Arctic Shipping in the Era of Digitalization and Intelligence." Participants discussed strategies for the sustainable use and joint governance of Arctic routes in the context of global challenges such as climate change response and technological innovation.

At the opening ceremony, Li Kaisheng, Vice President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, emphasized that "NPARC is a valuable knowledge platform to prepare for the future of the Arctic," while Cho Jeonghee, President of KMI, stated that "policy and technological cooperation based on trust among Korea, China, and Japan is more important now than ever."

The meeting consisted of four sessions: ▲Monitoring and Smart Navigation ▲Eco-friendly Shipping Technologies ▲Impacts of Global Industrial Change ▲Policy Cooperation among the Three Countries.

Session 1 discussed smart route operations utilizing satellite-based monitoring technologies and AI-based sea ice prediction. In particular, the interoperability of data and information sharing within Asia was highlighted as a key issue for the safe operation of Arctic routes.

Session 2 focused on the transition to eco-friendly fuels (LNG, methanol, hydrogen, electricity), the introduction of low-carbon equipment, and measures to reduce black carbon. Participants also voiced the need for international cooperation to protect the Arctic ecosystem.

Session 3 presented an economic analysis of the Northern Sea Route (NEP) and Power-to-X industry strategies. Session 4 proposed the formation of a joint working group and the expansion of institutional cooperation through policy comparisons among Korea, China, and Japan.

Cho Jeonghee, President of KMI, emphasized, "Eco-friendly shipping is not only a matter of technology but also of international responsibility and cooperation," and added, "As major maritime nations and observer states of the Arctic Council, the three countries must expand their joint efforts to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Arctic routes."

NPARC is a trilateral consultative body of Arctic research institutions from Korea, China, and Japan, launched in 2014 at Korea's initiative, and this was its 10th meeting.

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