KOEM Chosen as ‘Laboratory of Excellence’ in Radioactive Analysis Sector by ERA

President Kang Yong-seok of Korea Marine Environment Management Corp. (KOEM). (Photos: KOEM)

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp. (KOEM) was selected as the “Laboratory of Excellence” in the July 2024 Rad ERA Proficiency Test, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Resource Associates (ERA), the corporation said on Sep. 30.

ERA is a proficiency testing institution, in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

The rad ERA proficiency test involves testing how precise data tested by inspection institutions are. Fifty-six rad analysis institutions from around the world participated in the rad ERA proficiency test.

KOEM was rated to be “satisfactory” in six categories, including Ba-133, Cs-134, Cs-137, Co-60, Zn-65 and H-3, and selected as the Laboratory of Excellence four years in row from 2021.

KOEM President Kang Yong-seok said, “I’m pleased that KOEM is recognized by its marine rad analysis proficiency internationally, and we will do our utmost so that people can feel safe by maintaining the reliability of marine rad analysis outcomes.”

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp.’s Ulsan Brach signs an MOU with Korea National Oil Corp.’s Ulsan Branch, SK Enterm and S-OIL to prevent sea pollution accidents at single buoy moorings at Ulsan Port on Oct. 16.

KOEM Signs MOU with Ulsan Port to Brace for Sea Pollution of Single Buoy Mooring

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp.’s Ulsan Brach struck an MOU with Korea National Oil Corp.’s Ulsan Branch, SK Enterm and S-OIL to prevent sea pollution accidents at single buoy moorings at Ulsan Port on Oct. 16.

Single buoy moorings are facilities that transport crude oil from oil tankers to land via pipelines, and they, if they are ruptured, could lead to large-sized sea pollution accidents.

KOEM’s signing of the deal is designed to prevent sea pollution accidents by establishing a cooperative regime with Korea National Oil Corp.’s Ulsan Branch, SK enterm and S-OIL who operate single buoy moorings.

Under the agreement, in the case accidents, caused by single buoy moorings, takes place, the signatories agreed to jointly utilize anti-disaster resources, swiftly share information, and cooperate in the establishing of an anti-disaster regime, education and drill.

The signatory parties plan to maintain continuous communication to prevent marine pollution accidents and conduct activities to protect the marine environment while carrying out diverse activities to contribute to the development of regional economies.

Han Young-shik, head of KOEM’s Ulsan Branch, said, “The agreement is expected to greatly step capabilities to prevent marine pollution accidents and cope with them at Ulsan Port, and we will do our best to protect the clean marine environment of Ulsan Port.”

KOEM Holds Network Meeting to Brace for Hazardous and Harmful Substance Accidents

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp. said the corporation hosted a network meeting to take countermeasures against hazardous and noxious substances accidents at Seoul Railroad Station on Oct. 8.

The meeting was designed to establish how to take mid- and long-term countermeasures against the leakage of hazardous and noxious substances offshore and build a close collaboration regime among related organizations. Officials from KOEM, the Environment Ministry, the National Fire Agency and Korea Coast Guard participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, roles of each organization in a land organization comprising of several ministries formed in the wake of the hydrogen fluoride leakage in Gumi that took place in September 2012 were introduced and how to manage dangerous and harmful substances and accident cases were shared.

The participating institutions discussed the Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, otherwise known as the OPRC-HNS Protocol.

KOEM President Kang Yong-seok said, “The meeting served as an opportunity to establish an institutional foundation related to hazardous and noxious substances offshore, and examine environmental regulatory countermeasures to reflect environmental changes., and KOEM will ensure the safety of people by continuously stepping up off-shore and ground organic network.”