South Korea passes Green Shipping Corridor Support Act
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by Admin
South Korea has passed the Green Shipping Corridor Support Act in the National Assembly, a law intended to help the maritime sector move toward carbon neutrality and promote green vessel operations, according to Korean media Energy Daily on Thursday (12 March).
The National Assembly passed the bill with amendments at the plenary session of the 433rd extraordinary session.
The legislation focuses on creating an institutional framework to support the development of green shipping routes. These routes will rely on green vessels and ports, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the shipping industry
The revised bill requires the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to develop and carry out a plan for developing green shipping routes every five years. It also authorises the government to officially designate routes linking two or more eco-friendly ports—served by green vessels—as designated green shipping routes.
Korean non-government organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) welcomed the passing of the bill, calling it “a move that advances efforts to decarbonise the shipping sector”.
“In 2024, SFOC provided policy recommendations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector, and we view the passage of this Act as a highly meaningful step forward,” it added.
However, it noted with concern that the final version of the Act broadened the definition of “green vessels” to include low-carbon fuels.
“This adjustment may risk prolonging reliance on these fuels, locking in emissions rather than accelerating the transition to zero-carbon solutions,” SFOC explained.
“It is essential to establish clear safeguards to ensure that fuels such as LNG and bio-LNG — which are not fundamental zero-emission solutions — do not become entrenched within public support frameworks.
“Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 ultimately requires a decisive shift toward zero-carbon fuels and renewable-based propulsion systems.”
Related: SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe shipping corridor
Photo credit: Lauren Seo on Unsplash
Published: 17 March, 2026
