South Korea’s seas are set to become smarter with artificial intelligence. The government plans to secure fully unmanned autonomous navigation vessel technology by 2035, achieve the world’s No. 1 position in market orders, and raise port productivity by more than 30%.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the “Marine and Fisheries Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) Strategy” at a joint meeting of economy-related ministers and science and technology-related ministers held on Oct. 28. The strategy consists of AI innovation in four major sectors — shipping and maritime affairs, ports and logistics, fisheries, and oceans — as well as five strategic initiatives and 15 key tasks to build the supporting ecosystem.

The government will cooperate with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to take the lead in the autonomous navigation vessel market, which is projected to grow to $200.0 billion by 2035. It plans to secure core technologies for fully unmanned (Level 4) autonomous navigation vessels by 2032 and verify their reliability in domestic and international waters. Through this, it set a goal of becoming No. 1 in global orders by 2035.

In the area of maritime safety, the government plans to use AI to drastically reduce casualties. By analyzing real-time navigation information and sea area data and providing safety information to ships, it aims to cut casualties from marine accidents by 30% from the current level by 2030. In particular, it will strengthen support for risk assessment and response for small vessels, while also helping shipping companies and cargo owners establish navigation plans through analysis of measured data from the Arctic route.

In logistics, the government will introduce “physical AI” to raise port productivity by 30% by 2035. By 2029, it will build an automated port testbed at Gwangyang Port and conduct early demonstrations of automated equipment technologies for container loading, unloading, and transport. Technologies verified there are expected to spread to major hub ports such as Busan Port’s Jinhae New Port.

To improve the efficiency of port operations, the government will also develop an “Agentic AI” platform in which AI independently analyzes work conditions and coordinates among equipment. In addition, it will upgrade “Port-i,” the integrated information platform for Busan Port, and introduce an intelligent platform that organically connects logistics information across maritime, port, and inland sectors and manages the risk of safety accidents.

The fisheries sector will be shifted to a data-centered scientific management system. The government plans to expand the nationwide penetration rate of smart fish farms from the current 3.7% to 10% by 2030 and distribute AI aquaculture technologies tailored to region-specific specialty species. It also plans to respond to price instability by precisely forecasting seafood supply and demand conditions, while applying automation technologies to processing operations to increase added value.

AI will also be actively used in marine environmental management. The government will establish a monitoring system to quickly identify abnormal signs in marine activities and precisely analyze ecosystem changes caused by climate change. In particular, it will equip the country with a system that automatically detects and collects marine debris to create cleaner seas, while also deploying AI to manage illegal use of public waters and establish order in their use.

Hwang Jong-woo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “AI is a key driving force that will solve the pressing challenges facing the marine and fisheries industry and create new opportunities in the global market,” adding, “Through autonomous navigation vessels and physical AI ports, we will dramatically improve the productivity and efficiency of maritime logistics.”

Source:Business Korea