August 25, 2025
South Korea has updated its eco-friendly ship certification system to accelerate the adoption of green technologies in the shipping and shipbuilding industries.
The revised guidelines, introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), took effect on 21 August.
As reported, one of the key changes is the expansion of certification eligibility to include both shipowners and shipbuilders, encouraging broader participation across the maritime sector.
Furthermore, the updated system also introduces greater flexibility by allowing final certification even if there are deviations from the preliminary approval, provided these changes are due to unavoidable reasons such as design modifications.
As stated, this aims to reflect the practical realities of ship design and construction while maintaining regulatory integrity.
To strengthen international alignment, the new rules have been revised to better reflect global standards, including the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
These changes are expected to improve the system’s credibility and aim to support South Korea’s efforts towards a more sustainable maritime future.
