A Korean draft proposal for interim safety standards for onboard carbon capture systems has been adopted as a base document for developing global safety standards by the International Maritime Organization. Shown is an aerial view of Busan New Port in Busan's Gangseo-gu District. (Busan Port Authority)

By Hong Angie

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted Korean-proposed safety standards for onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS) as a foundational document for developing global standards.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan on Sept. 27 said its draft interim safety guidelines for OCCS were adopted at this year's session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers from Sept. 14-18 in London.

OCCS, a key green technology that directly captures and stores carbon dioxide from ship exhaust, is an important means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vessels worldwide.

At the meeting, IMO member states agreed to use Korea's proposal as the basis for designing the basic framework for global safety regulations on carbon capture that will eventually be applied to ships worldwide. As a follow-up to finalize the safety guidelines, they also decided to form an intersessional working group with Korea as secretariat.

Seoul will lead the development of standards with a public-private consultative body, with final approval targeted for 2029.

The ministry said it will build on this result to fully support the goal of ensuring that domestic shipbuilding, shipping and marine equipment companies secure a leading position in the next-generation green shipping market.

shong9412@korea.kr