On Sept. 30, Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) held a meeting with reporters to outline detailed initiatives to support the maritime industry’s AI transformation, which was established earlier this year.
This plan embodies a commitment to implementing AI across the shipping and port logistics sectors, showing a bold vision of “AI-Born Maritime," or reviving the Korean maritime industry through AI.
KOBC’s AI transformation initiatives reflect a plan that has been developed in stages over the past three years through close communication with the maritime industry.
KOBC launched the first evaluation of the Korean marine industry’s digital levels in 2023. In 2024, it raised industry awareness through a digital capacity building program.
This year, it is steadily solidifying the foundation for AI diffusion, focusing on verifying marine industry AI transformation technologies.
The key tasks established by KOBC are promoting practical AX in the field, operating the K-Maritime AI Compass, establishing an AI maritime silk road, running a 24-hour integrated monitoring system and operating a marine AI innovation fund.
It’s a system which encompasses the creation of AI application cases that can immediately deliver results in the field, the development of marine-specific AI models and standards, the provision of high-performance GPU infrastructure, integrated control for responding to industry and corporate crises, and the establishment of a continuous support foundation through a dedicated AI fund.
Notably, this project was developed by reflecting feedback from those in the field. KOBC operated 14 working-level consultative bodies involving Korean shipping companies, terminal operators and IT companies, and conducted 61 assessments and in-depth interviews.
Arctic Route Support Center Director Jeong Yeong-doo of KOBC poses with officials of Newnew Shipping in Dalian, China, after he visited the latter and discussed practical cooperation related to Northern Sea Route (NSR) operations on Oct. 20.
Discussion on NSR Routes with China’s Newnew Shipping
On Oct. 20, Arctic Route Support Center Director Jeong Yeong-du of KOBC visited Newnew Shipping in Dalian, China, to discuss practical cooperation related to Northern Sea Route (NSR) operations.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged key information for commercial NSR operations.
They reviewed operational methods, including route selection, permit procedures, and icebreaking service integration.
They also closely examined safety operation factors such as ice class requirements and risk management systems.
Their agenda also included voyage composition, cost structure, and profitability variables.
Newnew Shipping clearly expressed its intention to continue cooperation with KOBC and proposed specific cooperation models including joint operations with Korean shipping companies and joint investments in ice breakers.
KOBC is planning to strengthen its ties with Korean shipping companies, shippers, and policy finance companies to gradually increase information and business feasibility analysis necessary for reviewing commercial NSR operations.
Shipping Industry Crisis Response Fund Briefing
KOBC announced that it successfully held the Shipping Industry Crisis Response Fund Briefing on Oct. 23 and 24.
The briefing was held to promote the Shipping Industry Crisis Response Fund, a policy fund established to proactively respond to the Korean shipping industry’s slump, amid growing uncertainties across the Korean shipping industry, including a recent decline in global freight rates.
The purpose of this briefing was to actively promote the fund to Korean shipping companies and boost policy effectiveness.
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