South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the revision of its “Electric Propulsion Vessel Standards” with the updated regulations effective 29 May 2025.
The changes aim to enhance safety and promote the broader adoption of next-generation electric propulsion technologies in response to increasingly stringent global and domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.
Originally introduced in 2020, these standards have supported the development and operation of reportedly more than 50 electric and hybrid propulsion vessels nationwide.
The latest revision introduces several key updates, including:
- Implementation of standards for ships powered by fuel cells and portable power sources;
- Introduction of redundancy requirements for core electric propulsion systems to boost the reliability of this type of equipment;
- Requirement for the installation of gas detectors and fire extinguishers in battery rooms that would allow a swift response in case of fire.
Additionally, the revised rules introduce practical flexibilities, such as allowing the omission of risk assessments for vessels that are identical in design.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also clarified that non-explosion-proof electrical equipment may now be installed under specific safety conditions, such as the inclusion of automatic power shutdown systems in the event of a battery room fire.
As stated, these changes are intended to better align regulatory requirements with real-world operational needs and safety standards.
