Official Launch of the Autonomous Vessel Policy Committee

 

- Began discussion on policies and systems by holding the first meeting after the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vessels

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE; Minister Ahn Deok-geun) announced that they held the first meeting of the Autonomous Vessel Policy Committee—which was established following the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vessels—at BEXCO in Busan on Tuesday, April 29.

 

 This meeting was held in conjunction with the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC)—featuring maritime digital transformation as a special agenda—and is significant as it sought to address the autonomous vessel policy, which is Korea’s leading digital transformation challenge in the midst of the digital innovation trend in the global shipping and shipbuilding industries.

 

 Autonomous vessels are next-generation advanced vessels operated using digital technologies such as AI and big data. Countries worldwide are accelerating their technological development efforts, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) planning to establish international standards for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship Code (MASS Code*) by 2032.

 

 * MASS Code: Technical standards for the safe operation of autonomous vessels

 

 The Korean government implemented the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vessels in January 2025 to establish a digital strategy for the shipping and shipbuilding industries by accelerating technological development and commercialization of autonomous vessels. It formed the Policy Committee as a public-private deliberation and decision-making body to discuss autonomous shipping policies under the law comprehensively.

 

 The first Policy Committee meeting began with the appointment ceremony for private-sector members, followed by discussions on △operational plans for the Policy Committee, △R&D policy direction for autonomous vessels, and △key implementation direction following the enforcement of the Act.

 

 According to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung, autonomous vessels based on AI and advanced digital technologies will mark a turning point for the maritime logistics industry by enhancing marine safety and reducing carbon emissions. “We will strengthen government-level responses and cooperation to ensure that Korea’s expertise and technology are fully reflected to IMO’s ongoing efforts to establish technical standards for autonomous shipping. We will finalize a mid- to long-term strategy by year-end in collaboration with MOTIE to facilitate commercialization including transitioning logistics systems, training professionals, and reforming domestic regulations, ensuring seamless implementation,” he added.

 

 “We will launch the Autonomous Vessel Technology Council consisting of major shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, and experts to support the full cycle of autonomous vessel technology from R&D to demonstration and commercialization, as it is the key to future high-value shipbuilding markets in the AI era. By year-end, we will jointly present a 10-year roadmap for autonomous vessel technology development with MOF. Building on our regulatory sandbox operation records and new demonstration exemptions under the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vessels, we will respond as a K-Shipbuilding public-private team to take the lead in new markets by reflecting the industry’s autonomous ship verification results to technology development policy directions,” Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Deok-geun said.