"Not Just Running Ships"... Expanding into Nuclear Power, Construction, and Engineering [Opening the Arctic]

From Ship Management and Construction to Nuclear Power

Building the "Industrial Map" with Information Platforms and Statistics

Nine Ministries Including the Ministry of Economy and Finance Join the Pan-Government Initiative

Korea Ocea

The government is preparing a detailed implementation framework to foster the Arctic shipping route not simply as a maritime transport route, but as a national-level industrial ecosystem.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has drawn up a draft enforcement decree for the “Special Act on Promoting the Utilization of the Arctic Shipping Route and Nurturing Related Industries,” and will put it up for public comment until September 21. The Special Act was announced on June 16 and is scheduled to be enforced starting December 17.

The draft expands the scope of Arctic shipping route-related industries to include not only ship management, construction, and engineering, but also nuclear-related industries. It also establishes an inter-ministerial working committee involving nine government ministries as well as a separate Arctic Shipping Route Promotion Headquarters. The most notable aspect is the broadening of the scope for industries connected to the Arctic shipping route. In addition to the industries specified in the Special Act, the enforcement decree designates the following as related industries: ship management industry, construction industry, engineering industry, and nuclear-related industry. As a result, the legal basis is established for Arctic shipping route policy to extend beyond ship operations and port/logistics, encompassing infrastructure construction, technology and engineering, and nuclear sectors.

Jongwoo Hwang, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

The government will also build an information platform to systematically accumulate data related to the Arctic shipping route. The master plan will include the establishment and operation of an Arctic shipping route information platform, the compilation and management of statistics on related industries, and improvements to relevant laws and systems. Plans for on-site surveys will be specified in detail, covering not only domestic and international market trends and business conditions, but also port and logistics infrastructure, safety operation infrastructure, operational and logistics performance, transport demand, research and development projects, and the status of skilled personnel. If needed, such surveys can be entrusted to an Arctic Shipping Route Integrated Support Center or specialized research institutes.

An inter-ministerial collaboration system will also be established. The Arctic Shipping Route Working Committee will consist of one representative from each of the following nine ministries: Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and Ministry of Government Policy and Budget. In addition, experts in technology, economics, society, and international cooperation related to the Arctic shipping route may participate. A separate Arctic Shipping Route Promotion Headquarters will be set up, composed of a head and staff; the specific rules for management will be determined by the Prime Minister. The annual execution plan will be established by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries in consultation with relevant ministries and finalized by March 31 of each year. The finalized plan will be communicated to central administrative agencies and local governments.

Criteria for designating the Arctic Shipping Route Integrated Support Center, which will be responsible for supporting companies, are also established. The draft enforcement decree specifically states that the Korea Ocean Business Corporation may be designated as the Center, and also makes it possible for other public institutions or government-funded research institutes with dedicated organizations and expert staff to serve as the Center. The Center will provide technical and administrative support, professional workforce training, and international cooperation for industries related to the Arctic shipping route. If necessary, the Center may request the dispatch of staff from public institutions or government-funded research institutes.

To foster professional personnel, the government will be able to develop and distribute educational training programs and cooperate with domestic and foreign organizations specializing in workforce development. Research and development, workforce training, and international cooperation projects may be commissioned to public institutions, government-funded research institutes, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, or universities with relevant departments. However, the draft enforcement decree specifies that no separate budgetary measures are required. The actual scale of investment and details of support for each project will be specified in the forthcoming master plan and annual execution plans. The enforcement decree will take effect from December 17, the enforcement date of the Special Act, while certain provisions relating to the operation of the Arctic Shipping Route Committee will take effect from the date of promulgation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.