South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has established a consultative group bringing together industry, academia and research institutions to support the development of International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).
The group comprises 20 organisations, including the ministry, Korean Register, Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, shipping and shipbuilding companies, and academic institutions.
It will share developments from IMO discussions with domestic industry and research organisations, while identifying results from South Korean R&D projects that could be submitted as agenda items to the IMO.
The group will also participate jointly in international meetings, with the aim of increasing the inclusion of South Korean technologies in international standards.
The IMO adopted non-mandatory regulations for autonomous ships in May, with mandatory regulations targeted for 2030 following a review of operational data and regulatory effectiveness.
South Korea launched its AI Fully Autonomous Ship Technology Development Project in August, covering the period from 2026 to 2032.
“Because international standards for autonomous ships will heavily influence South Korea’s shipping and shipbuilding sectors, actively reflecting our domestic technologies and experience is vital,” said Jeong Do-hyun, Director General of the Maritime Safety Bureau at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (translated from Korean).
“By uniting the capabilities of industry, academia, and research, we will lead discussions on global standards and bolster the competitiveness of our domestic industry.”
