Next summer, South Korea will test a 3,000-TEU voyage from Busan to Rotterdam via the Northern Sea Route as part of maritime reforms.
South Korea will pilot a 3,000-TEU container ship voyage from Busan to Rotterdam via the Northern Sea Route next summer as part of its broader maritime reforms, reports Seoul's ChusunBiz.
Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Seong-beom announced the initiative during a presidential policy briefing in Busan. The ministry plans to localize technology for constructing ice-strengthened and icebreaking container ships.
A marine capital area development strategy is set to be unveiled in the first half of 2026, aiming to establish a marine cluster in the southeast that will bring together corporations, public institutions, and a maritime court.
In response to climate change, fisheries production will undergo restructuring. The ministry intends to reduce the fleet size by 40 percent over the next five years, cutting coastal and offshore vessels to better align with available resources.
To promote aquaculture, the government will implement smart technologies and expand operations. New sites will be identified in the open sea and East Sea, with designated smart aquaculture zones to foster growth.
To modernize seafood distribution, the government plans to introduce an onboard auction system utilizing artificial intelligence to facilitate immediate sales of catches.
Penalties for illegal fishing by Chinese vessels will increase from KRW 3 billion (US$2.07 million) to KRW 10 billion. The enforcement response will shift from expulsion to seizure, with offenders facing punishment in Korea before being handed over to China for further action.
Mr. Kim stated that the administration has successfully completed the transfer of the ministry to Busan and achieved record seafood exports, promising further tangible results to support balanced national development.
