BISTEP Releases Analytical Report
Southeastern Region Emerges as R&D Hub
Over 8,000 Jobs Expected to Be Created
As the global shipping industry accelerates its transition toward decarbonization, ammonia-powered vessels are emerging as a next-generation eco-friendly ship technology.
Busan has been found to possess the highest level of competitiveness in the nation in terms of research and development as well as industrial infrastructure in this field.
The Busan Institute of Science and Technology for Education Promotion (BISTEP, President Kim Youngbu) has published a report titled "Analysis of Busan's Ammonia-Powered Ship Technology Capabilities and Economic Impact," which comprehensively examines Busan's research and development capacity, technological activities, industrial infrastructure, and economic ripple effects in the ammonia-powered ship industry.
According to the report, over the past five years (2019-2023), there have been a total of 227 national R&D projects related to ammonia-powered ships, with research funding amounting to 169.57 billion KRW. Among these, Busan ranked first nationwide in both the number of projects and research funding, making it the region most focused on related research and development.
In particular, the southeastern region, including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, accounted for more than half of the total research funding, confirming that R&D for ammonia-powered ships is centered in this area. Busan's role was also prominent in core technology fields, with about 45% of national research on main engines and propulsion systems being carried out in the city.
Busan's competitiveness was also evident in terms of research outcomes. While the number of ammonia-powered ship-related papers from Busan ranked third nationwide, the number of papers per 1,000 researchers was the highest in the country, indicating Busan's high research productivity relative to its research workforce. The patent activity index and patent registration rate also exceeded the national average, demonstrating excellence in both technology development activities and technological maturity.
From an industrial infrastructure perspective, there was a clear concentration of small and medium-sized enterprises focused on ship parts and equipment. R&D resources and patents also tended to be concentrated in the manufacturing of ship components. The analysis of human resources infrastructure showed that, unlike the national average, the number of new students in related majors is on the rise in Busan, suggesting the potential for expanding the long-term talent supply base.
The economic ripple effect is also expected to be significant. If Busan invests approximately 1.514 trillion KRW in the eco-friendly shipbuilding industry, including ammonia-powered ships, by 2030, it is estimated that this will generate a production inducement effect of 1.541 trillion KRW and create employment for about 8,310 people.
Kim Hyunju, a researcher at BISTEP, stated, "Busan is a region with active R&D activities in the field of ammonia-powered ships and has built an industrial infrastructure centered on ship parts and equipment. We hope this report will serve as foundational data for concretizing Busan's ammonia-powered ship technology and industrial strategies."
The full report is available on the websites of BISTEP and the Busan Science and Technology Information Service (BTIS).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
