Busan: South Korea will set up a long-term strategy this year to commercialize autonomous marine vehicle technology as part of efforts to innovate the shipping industry, the oceans minister said Tuesday. "Autonomous ships utilizing cutting-edge digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will play a significant role in improving maritime safety and reducing carbon emissions of the shipping industry," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said in the inaugural meeting of a new policy committee on such technology.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the long-term plan will cover a 10-year road map on developing technologies essential to building autonomous vessels, transitioning the maritime shipping system to align with the technology, fostering professional talent in the area, and revising related domestic policies. This initiative reflects the country's commitment to advancing its maritime capabilities and adapting to future technological changes.

South Korea launched the policy committee on autonomous ships in line with the Our Ocean Conference, a global maritime conference being held in the southeastern port city of Busan. The committee aims to spearhead efforts in the development and implementation of autonomous vessel technology on both national and international fronts.

Kang stated that Seoul will also strengthen cooperation with the international community in joint efforts to develop a new global regulatory framework on the design, construction, and operation of autonomous ships. This move is in response to the work being carried out by the International Maritime Organization, which is aiming to develop a maritime autonomous surface ship code by 2032.