S. Korea to devise long-term strategy to commercialize autonomous vessel technology

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will set up a long-term strategy this year to commercialize autonomous marine vehicle technology as part of efforts to innovate the shipping industry, the oceans minister said Tuesday.

"Autonomous ships utilizing cutting-edge digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will play a significant role in improving maritime safety and reducing carbon emissions of the shipping industry," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said in the inaugural meeting of a new policy committee on such technology.

The long-term plan will cover a 10-year road map on developing technologies essential to building autonomous vessels, transitioning the maritime shipping system to align with the technology, fostering professional talent in the area and revising related domestic policies, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

South Korea launched the policy committee on autonomous ships in line with the Our Ocean Conference (OOC), a global maritime conference being held in the southeastern port city of Busan.

Kang said Seoul will also strengthen cooperation with the international community in joint efforts to develop a new global regulatory framework on the design, construction and operation of autonomous ships.

The International Maritime Organization is working to develop a maritime autonomous surface ship code by 2032.

nyway@yna.co.kr
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