Full-Scale Operation to Begin in May After Completion of Administrative Procedures in the First Quarter
On April 28, South Chungcheong Province announced that it will introduce and operate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based "Ship Collision Prevention System" to ensure the prevention of collision accidents between vessels entering and leaving Daecheon Port in Boryeong City.
According to the province, the number of ship accidents at Daecheon Port over the past three years decreased slightly from 12 cases in 2022 to 8 cases in 2023, but then surged to 19 cases last year.
At Daecheon Port, the water depth on the east side is shallow and large Coast Guard vessels are moored there, so small vessels such as fishing boats and passenger ships use the west-side entry and exit route.
In this situation, the breakwater installed on the west-side entry and exit route makes it difficult for vessels entering and leaving the port to secure visibility, resulting in ship-to-ship collisions every year. There are also concerns that the number of accidents may increase.
Furthermore, among the 39 ship accidents that occurred from 2022 to last year, 12 cases (30.7%) were due to operational negligence. As a result, there have been ongoing calls for safety facilities that can reduce negligence during vessel operation.
The province is promoting the introduction of the AI-based Ship Collision Prevention System to prevent collision accidents and vessel damage at Daecheon Port, where the passage of small vessels is more frequent than at other ports, and to create a safer harbor environment.
This system automatically recognizes incoming vessels using artificial intelligence and provides real-time information to outgoing vessels via electronic display boards.
The province completed consultations with relevant agencies and administrative procedures in the first quarter of this year, and plans to begin full-scale installation this month, aiming to start operation in May.
Park Sangyong, Director of the Maritime and Port Division of the province, said, "We expect that the establishment of this system will bring about a dramatic improvement in the safe operation environment for vessels at Daecheon Port," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to strengthen port safety and protect the lives and property of fishermen and port users."
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