Korea, UK Taking the First Step Toward Cooperation in Maritime Safety Policy

- MOF to discuss the decarbonization of international shipping and digital transformation with UK’s DfT

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it would hold the first Maritime Safety Policy Meeting (Chief Representative: Director General of Maritime Safety Choi Seong-yong) with the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) at BEXCO in Busan on Tuesday, April 29.

 This policy meeting is a follow-up to the signing of the MOU on Maritime Cooperation between MOF, Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and UK’s DfT in November 2023. In accordance with the Letter of Intent, the two countries have agreed to hold annual regular meetings alternately to discuss cooperation measures including international standards. The first policy meeting will be held during the 10th Our Ocean Conference (April 28–30).

 At this meeting, the two countries plan to discuss specific cooperation measures on key international maritime issues, including △decarbonization of international shipping, △strengthening of maritime security and cybersecurity for international navigation vessels, △autonomous ships, △seafarer policies, and △exchange of navigation aid technologies.

 In particular, the two countries will focus on discussing measures for the detailed implementation plan of the Mid-term Measures for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships*, which were approved at the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held from April 7 to 11.

 * Long-term measures such as limiting carbon emissions from ships and switching to alternative fuels (such as ammonia) to reduce greenhouse gases emitted from ships have been adopted by IMO to achieve the carbon neutrality goal by 2050.

 “I expect this meeting to serve as a meaningful opportunity to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries further. Both countries will work closely together to enhance maritime safety and protect the marine environment,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.