KOEM Installs Korea’s 1st 1,900 Horsepower-Class Hybrid ‘Preventive Replacement Ship’ at Gunsan Port

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

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp. (KOEM) has converted a three-decade-plus old-plus ship into an eco-friendly, hybrid one designed to support safe port travel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

KOEM said on Aug. 14 the corporation dedicated the 1,900 horsepower-class hybrid preventive ship, dubbed “112 Cheongryong-ho” and placed it at Gunsan Port.

The 112 Cheongryong-ho has been built to replace the “305 Daeryong-ho,” surpassing 30 years in age.

The new ship measures 173 tons in total tonnage, 32 meters in length, 8.6 meters in width, and 3.7 meters in depth. It has a maximum speed of 13 knots.

A view of the 1,900 horsepower-class hybrid preventive ship, dubbed “112 Cheongryongho” at Gunsan Port. (Photos: KOEM)

The 112 Cheongryong-ho is Korea’s first 1,900 horsepower-class, hybrid preventive ship furnished with an electric propulsion system.

The new ship can be operated only by a battery within the port, thus cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The replacement ship is expected not only to back up the safe arrival and departure at Gunsan Port, but also to contribute to raising the competitiveness of the port by reducing carbon emissions.

Nah Sun-chul, head of the Marine Pollution Control Headquarters at KOEM, said, “The installing of the hybrid preventive ship, reflecting Gunsan Port’s geographical and environmental characteristics will contribute to supporting ships’ safe arrival and departures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

KOEM Operates AI-Based Maritime Purification Robot

Korea Marine Environment Management Corp. held a ceremony to donate an AI-based maritime robot and conduct a sea demonstration at KOEM Ulsan Branch on July 29.

KOEM held a ceremony to donate an AI-Based maritime purification robot at KOEM Ulsan branch and the full operation of the robot was designed to remove blind spots of Offshore floating waste management.

The ceremony took place to deliver an AI-based maritime purification robot, donated by SK ecoplant. The event was attended by officials of World Vision, Sheco and other related institutions.

The project followed-up on a multi-lateral MOU signed last April to invigorate AI-based marine purification and education on the maritime environment.

The project has been implemented to improve maritime environment and spread ESG values through AI technologies in cooperation with civilian companies, public entities, civic organizations and innovative technology companies.

Ulsan Port has heavy ship traffic, and large amounts of maritime waste have flowed into the port through streams, such as Taehwa River during summer. In particular, areas near port facilities and inner walls of bridges have become blind spots of maritime waste since the port cleanup vessel has no access there.

In a related development, KOEM plans to ramp up maritime waste removal by installing an AI-based maritime purification robot, donated by SK ecoplant, and a water robot purchased by the corporation at areas with large amounts of floating waste, such as the first wharf of Ulsan Port and a small ship wharf of Jangsaengpo.

The AI-based maritime purification robot, loaded with AI-based self-driving and remotely controlled functions, is capable of removing waste at a sea area in which the port cleanup vessel has no access since they have thin water depth and they are located near port facilities.

KOEM plans to establish a smart maritime environment management regime by making the most of regular monitoring functions.

Yeo Ki-dong, chief of the Maritime Preservation Headquarters a KOEM said, “The introduction of the AI-based maritime purification robot serves as an important opportunity to remove blind spots of Offshore floating waste and establish a smart maritime environment management regime, and we will make our utmost to create a clean maritime environment to levels of people’s expectations by taking a full advantage of AI-based technologies based on cooperation with the private and public sectors in the future.”