Yeongam-gun Designated as Regulatory Free Zone for Eco-friendly HDPE Small Fishing Boats

On the 12th, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that the 'Eco-friendly HDPE Small Fishing Boat Regulatory Free Zone' was confirmed as the 10th new regulatory free zone following the final review by the Regulatory Free Zone Committee chaired by the Prime Minister on the 11th.

The newly confirmed Eco-friendly HDPE Small Fishing Boat Regulatory Free Zone includes Daebul Industrial Complex in Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, as well as coastal areas of Mokpo City, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, and Yulchon Industrial Complex.

A panoramic view of Daebul Industrial Complex in Samho-eup, Yeongam [Photo by Yeongam-gun]

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The Eco-friendly HDPE Small Fishing Boat Zone will promote a project to build small fishing boats under 10 tons using HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene: a high-density (0.95g/cm3) thermoplastic material) and conduct sea trials.

Current laws such as the 'Fisheries Vessel Act' regulate only steel ships, FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) ships, wooden ships, and aluminum ships. Among these, 96% of domestic fishing boats mainly use FRP ships due to their light weight and excellent corrosion resistance. However, FRP ships are non-recyclable, causing environmental issues such as abandoned aging vessels.

With this regulatory free zone designation, the county has been granted an exemption allowing the manufacturing and sea trials of small fishing boats made from HDPE material.

A county official stated, "The designation of the Eco-friendly HDPE Small Fishing Boat Regulatory Free Zone will lay the foundation for fostering a global eco-friendly shipbuilding industry through the establishment of HDPE-based fishing boat structural standards and demonstration projects," adding, "We will actively promote the project in connection with the shipbuilding industry infrastructure of the Daebul Industrial Complex."

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