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Advancing a Maritime Accident Prevention System Reflecting Changes in the Marine Environment: KOMSA Announced Five Key Strategies for 2026

WriterMaritime Transportation Policy Office
Hits21
Date2026-01-09 11:03:27
ContentAdvancing a Maritime Accident Prevention System Reflecting Changes in the Marine Environment: KOMSA Announced Five Key Strategies for 2026 - Developing safety standards and ship types for fishing vessels and expanding national safety and healthcare hubs for fishing vessel seafarers. - AI Transformation (AX) of maritime safety services, expansion of digitalization in ship surveys, and reinforcement of the safety and convenience of passenger ships. - Jun-Seok Kim, President of KOMSA strengthened that we would “make safe sea routes with preemptive judgement, flexible response, and scientific and technological capabilities.” On the morning of January 2, the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA, President Jun-Seok Kim) held the 2026 annual kick-off meeting at its Sejong headquarters and announced five main fields of strategies for this year. They include the development of safety standards and ship types for fishing vessels suitable for changes in the fishing operation environment; the expansion of national safety and healthcare hubs for fishing vessel seafarers; the improvement of the quality of maritime safety services through Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX); the scaling up of digital transition in ship surveys; and the advancement of public safety and convenience services of passenger ships. First of all, this year KOMSA plans to newly overhaul safety standards for fishing vessels reflecting the changing environment of fishing operations* and focus on developing fishing vessels which are both ecofriendly and efficient. * An increase in special weather reports, the spread of long-distance fishing, and a rise in the number of seafarers of foreign nationality. In detail, the institution aims to improve stability standards for fishing vessels in accordance with the government’s policies and develop ship types that take economic feasibility – fishing operation expenses – into consideration. It will also make efforts to reinforce the competitiveness of the foundation of a fishing vessel construction ecosystem by beginning the construction of a fishing vessel construction support center. In addition, KOMSA is going to create a sustainable fishing operation environment by advancing the verification system of environmentally friendly small-sized HDPE fishing vessels to boost their deployment and revising structural standards. As this year marks the second anniversary of the implementation of a safety and health management system for fishing vessel seafarers, it is required to expand national safety and healthcare management hubs for these seafarers. Therefore, within this year, the institution plans to extend the operation of “Centers for Fishing Vessel Seafarer Accident Investigation” to five areas in total, including Pohang and Jeju Island. It will also accelerate the digitalization of the fishing vessel seafarer safety management system by improving a mobile risk assessment platform and establishing a serious accident statistics management system. The institution will also take measures in stages for the early implementation of fishing vessel crew safety and healthcare policies, such as expanding projects on the improvement of outdated working facilities on fishing vessels and projects in the healthcare sector. KOMSA released its implementation plans to improve the quality of maritime safety services through AI Transformation (AX) as well. It will develop a fishing vessel risk index using Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the basis of the data it has accumulated. The institution aims to improve the convenience of one-stop administrative services* by applying generative AI technology to its “Haesuhobot” system, which is linked to the familiar KakaoTalk platform, too. * Ship survey notification and consultation, survey application, e-payment of commissions, and electronic certificate issuance. It will attempt to popularize sea routes and expand a maritime accident prevention system by reinforcing the link between passenger ship transportation information on the Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS) and web map services, such as Naver and Kakao T, and scaling up passenger ship operation prediction models based on AI. On top of that, KOMSA will extend digitalization in ship surveys in terms of quality and quantity as well, which it has completed in a phased manner over the past three years. The institution will make efforts to make the task of approving ship floor plans more efficient using AI along with increasing online ship survey services. This year, the maritime transportation safety management institution will begin the construction of the Smart Ship Safety Support Center of the Namhae region in full swing. It will attempt to form more extensive networks of ship safety in the country, too, by increasing the number of ship survey centers to eighteen. KOMSA will also improve passenger ship safety and convenience services of passenger ships for the public. It aims to realize safe maritime public transportation by improving safe operation management using innovative science technologies, such as underwater drones and intelligent CCTVs, and distributing firefighting equipment on ships, including international passenger ships. The institution plans to contribute to securing the right to mobility of island residents and promoting the tourism industry in islands by doing its best to help AI-based “Tomorrow’s Operation Forecast Plus” service take root, which it launched in December last year. Jun-Seok Kim, President of KOMSA stated in his new year remarks, “KOMSA, even in the changing marine environment, with preemptive judgement, flexible response, and scientific and technological capabilities, will continue to firmly carry out our mission of making the safest sea routes in the world this year again.” A task table of the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority’s 2026 five key strategies. An infographic of the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority’s 2026 five key strategies. On the morning of January 2, Jun-Seok Kim, President of KOMSA announces its new year’s five key strategies in the 2026 annual kick-off meeting held in the second-floor main hall at its Sejong headquarters. Jun-Seok Kim, President (the sixth person from the left in the front row), executives, and workers of KOMSA participate in a commemorative photo shoot in the 2026 annual kick-off meeting held in the second-floor main hall at its Sejong headquarters while expressing their strong will to successfully promote the 2026 five key strategies. A scene from the onboard experience event of the “KAIVE 3” – Korea’s first HDPE fishing vessel – for fishers in the Gyeongnam region, held in Cheonseong Port, Gangseo-gu, Busan on August 26, 2025. This year, KOMSA plans to focus on developing both ecofriendly and efficient fishing vessels including revising structural standards to boost the deployment of small-sized HDPE fishing vessels. Employees of KOMSA, in charge of safety and health for fishing vessel crews, assist with the investigation of fishing vessel accidents together with relevant agencies. This year, the institution plans to extend the operation of fishing vessel seafarer accident investigation centers to five areas. A bird’s-eye view of the Smart Ship Safety Support Center of the Namhae region, which is scheduled to be built in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam. KOMSA signed a contract with Tongyeong City to lend public property (land) to construct the support center and completed working drawings. This year, it will start the construction of the center in full swing. A screenshot of KOMSA’s “Tomorrow’s Operation Forecast Plus service.” At the end of last year, the institution started this service, which provides information on the possibility (likelihood) of passenger ship operations on 18 sea routes in the country. This service uses AI technology and provides information on operation forecasts for up to three days. This year, it plans to contribute to securing the right to mobility of island residents and boosting tourism on islands by doing its best to help this service settle.

Rising Risks in Fire and Explosion Accidents on Ships During the Winter Season: There Is a Need for Reinforcing Prevention-Centered Management

WriterMaritime Transportation Policy Office
Hits48
Date2025-12-19 14:27:00
Content Rising Risks in Fire and Explosion Accidents on Ships During the Winter Season: There Is a Need for Reinforcing Prevention-Centered Management - The share of accidents that happened in winter rebounded in ten years: The rate of casualties was also high in a worsening marine weather environment. - Accidents mostly occurred on fishing and old vessels: in more than half of these cases, the original point of ignition was “electric equipment." - KOMSA expands prevention activities, such as examining vulnerable vessels and enhancing safety guidance. Maritime accident statistics used in this article are the result of KOMSA’s independent analysis using the Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS), whose operation was entrusted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) to the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA), based on the statistics of the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal of MOF. <Summary> • The long-term trend of fire and explosion accidents on ships and changes in the marine weather environment are as follows. o The analysis result of the share of fire and explosion accidents on ships that happened in winter among four seasons over the past ten years (2015-2024) showed that the figure rebounded to 26.5% last year (2024) after it was on a downward trend, which was higher than the ten-year average of 22.9%. o Over the past ten years (2015-2024), the number of days when huge waves (swell waves) were generat was the highest in winter. o Over the past five years (2020-2024), the number of days when special weather reports of low waer temperature were issued increased every year, becoming a long-term trend. → “In case of maritime accidents, it delays rescue efforts, obstructs efforts to escape, and raises the risk of hypothermia”. o In reality, over the past five years (2020-2024), the occurrence rate of casualties in maritime accidents was the highest in winter, which was 3.9%. • The characteristics of ship type, age, and the cause of fires in the midst of an upward trend of fire and explosion accidents on ships in winter are as follows. o Last year (2024), the number of fire and explosion accidents on ships increased by 81.8% year on year. (from 22 ships to 40 ships) o The characteristics of ships that experienced these accidents over the past five years (2020-2024) are as follows. &diams; Fishing vessels accounted for 72% (577 vessels) of the total accidents, and the share of coastal and offshore fishing vessels was high. &diams; Old vessels, whose age was more than 20 years, accounted for 41.5% (287 vessels) of the total accidents. o Over the past ten years (2015-2024), more than half of fire and explosion accidents on ships started in electric equipment, such as wires, storage batteries, and switchboards. • KOMSA’s measures to prevent fire and explosion accidents on ships during the winter season are as follows. o In 2025, KOMSA carries out more rigorous safety inspections on 200 vessels vulnerable to fire tailored to the needs on the ground. &diams; The institution conducts inspections on electric, fire extinguishing, and heating equipment, the compliance of the ban on overloading a power outlet, and power terminals to see whether they are not loose. * In 2024, 100 vessels vulnerable to fire went through rigorous inspections on electric, fire extinguishing, cooking, and heating facilities. o The institution plans to distribute effective safety items, including automatic fire extinguishing devices for small spaces and fire-retardant tapes, in a phased manner. In the past ten years, fire and explosion accidents on ships have been on a downward trend. However, it turned out that last year it showed an uptick in these accidents due to the recent persistent worsening marine weather environment, including low water temperature and huge waves. The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA, President Jun-Seok Kim) analyzed the share of ship fire and explosion accidents by season over the last ten years (2015-2024) through the Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS), whose operation was entrusted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) to KOMSA, finding out that the share of these accidents happened in winter went up to 26.5% last year following a continuous downward trend. The figure is higher than the average of 22.9% in this ten-year period. (Refer to Fig.1) On top of that, last year these accidents in the winter season increased by 81.8% year on year (from 22 ships to 40 ships), the contrary to the fact that fire and explosion accidents went down in other seasons. (Refer to Fig. 2) KOMSA analyzed that the worsening maritime weather environment in winter caused this change. The institution analyzed the number of days when huge waves (swell waves) occurred over the course of ten years (2015-2024) to check the long-term trend of weather patterns, finding out that the number was the highest in winter among the entire four seasons. In addition, in the recent five years (2020-2024), the number of days when special weather reports of low water temperature were issued has risen each year, showing a long-term trend. (Refer to Figs. 3 and 4) This change could lead to delays in rescue efforts, obstruction in escape efforts, and an increase in the risk of hypothermia. Real-life cases have already confirmed this. In February this year, off the coast of Buan-gun, Jeonbuk-do, crew members escaped to the sea without wearing life jackets due to a fire on the ship. However, because of high waves, strong winds, and powerful currents, a rescue attempt was delayed. As a result, just five of the twelve crew members were rescued, and the rest seven crew members went missing. The occurrence rate of casualties in maritime accidents was also the highest statistically in winter over the last five years (2020-2024), which was 3.9%. (Refer to Fig. 5) In the meantime, regardless of season, many fire and explosion accidents happened on fishing vessels, in particular, old ones, and the original point of ignition was electric equipment in many cases, according to the analysis. Over the past five years (2020-2024), among ships, where fire and explosion accidents occurred, fishing vessels accounted for 72% (577 vessels), and the share of coastal – complex, gill net, and fishing pots – and offshore – gill net, jigging, and stow nets on anchor – fishing vessels, was high. (Refer to Fig. 6) And 41.5% of ships (287 ships) involved in these accidents were old ones, which were more than 20 years old. (Refer to Fig. 7) KOMSA, in order to figure out the cause of fires, conducted an independent analysis using the written decision data of the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal, where each accident case goes through a thorough investigation. As a result, it turns out that over the course of ten years (2015-2024), in more than half of ship fire and explosion accidents, a fire began in electric equipment, such as wires, storage batteries, and switchboards. The institution is enhancing safety activities centered around the ground to prevent these accidents in winter. Last year, it focused its inspections on the electric, fire extinguishing, cooking, and heating facilities of 100 ships in berths, where small ships are densely located. This year, for 200 ships vulnerable to fire, KOMSA checks electric equipment, such as wires, storage batteries, and switchboards, the compliance of the ban on overlading a power outlet, and power terminals to see whether they are not loose as well as offers customized safety education programs. The institution also distributes effective safety items such as automatic fire extinguishing devices for small spaces and fire-retardant tapes in an incremental manner. Jun-Seok Kim, President of KOMSA stated, “As the risk of fire and explosion accidents is increasing even while ships are berthed or being repaired during a fishing moratorium, complying with safety guidelines on the ground is more important than anything.” “KOMSA will do our utmost to prevent maritime accidents in the winter season by carrying out inspections, in particular, focused on vulnerable ships and increasing safety support tailored to the needs on the ground,” he added. Figure 1. The share of fire and explosion accidents which occurred in winter over the past ten years (2015-2024 / unit: %) * Source: “Marine accident statistics” from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal ** Analysis: The Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS) Figure 2. The current status of increase and decrease in ship fire and explosion accidents by season year on year in 2024 (unit: %, the number of ships) * Source: The “2024 Extreme Weather Report” of the Korea Meteorological Administration ** Analysis: The Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS) Figure 3. The number of days with the occurrence of huge waves over the past ten years (2015-2014 / unit: day) * Source: The “2024 Extreme Weather Report” of the Korea Meteorological Administration ** Analysis: The Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS) Figure 4. The number of days with the issuance of special weather reports of low water temperature over the past five years (2020-2024 / unit: day) Figure 5. The occurrence rate of casualties by season over the past five years (2020-2024 / unit: %) * Source: “Marine accident statistics” from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal ** Analysis: The Maritime Transportation Safety Information System (MTIS) Figure 6. The current status of ship fire and explosion accidents depending on the usage of ships over the past five years (2020-2024 / unit: the number of ships, person) Figure 7. The current status of ship fire and explosion accidents depending on the age of ships over the past five years except for 107 ships, whose age is not identified (2020-2024 / unit: %, the number of ships)