“Aging Ships and Workforce Require Urgent Solutions”… KMI Releases Report on Measures to Reduce Marine Accidents in Domestic Coastal Shipping

The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), led by President Cho Jeonghee, announced on June 17 the release of a research report titled "Study on Measures to Reduce Marine Accidents in Domestic Coastal Shipping," which proposes policy solutions to decrease marine accidents involving domestic coastal vessels.

This study analyzes the main causes of marine accidents involving domestic coastal vessels and presents effective policy alternatives to strengthen accident prevention and response.

According to KMI, as of December 2023, approximately 70% of all vessels in South Korea are classified as aging ships. The sector is facing a dual challenge of declining inflow of new personnel due to low wages and an increasingly aging workforce.

Heo Seongrye, the lead researcher for the study, stated, "Domestic coastal vessels play a pivotal role in the nation's logistics, but the risk of marine accidents persists due to aging ships, an aging crew, and insufficient safety management systems. This research includes on-site, practical response measures to address these issues."

According to the report, four key strategies have been identified: strengthening ship safety management standards, improving crew education and training systems, introducing digital-based safety management systems, and establishing marine accident response manuals. In particular, the report emphasizes the need to simultaneously enhance both the structural safety of vessels and the competence of crew members.

Cho Jeonghee, President of KMI, commented, "To reduce accidents involving domestic coastal vessels, it is essential to shift toward preventive policies and foster public-private cooperation. We expect this research to make a substantial contribution to enhancing the sustainability and safety of the domestic coastal shipping industry."

He added, "KMI holds a prominent international standing as a core partner of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) in the shipping and port sectors. We plan to share the results of this research not only domestically but also with the international community, thereby expanding the scope of global cooperation."