In Korea, Today Energy reports the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment formally pledged to electrify all vehicles, vessels, and construction equipment under its control, calling the move essential to achieving national transport-sector climate targets by 2035. The declaration, signed January 13 by senior officials from 16 affiliated agencies, commits to replacing existing fleets with electric or zero-carbon alternatives without exception.
Minister Kim Sung-hwan said just two of the ministry’s 172 vessels are currently electric. “From now on, any ship we build or replace must be carbon-free. No more exceptions,” he said. Of the ministry’s 7,400 vehicles, only 2,600 are electric or hydrogen-powered, but Kim pledged full conversion going forward, including construction machinery.
The ministry will finalize fleet electrification plans by the end of Q1 2026 and establish a public-private working group where suitable models are not yet available. The EV100 campaign will be extended to partner companies, aiming for full adoption by 2030.
The Korea Register’s Park Ki-do presented regulatory and R&D needs for electric ships, including battery and fuel cell standards, port-side power, and small-vessel certification systems. “Realistic, field-ready rules are critical,” he said, urging targeted support for domestic electric ship technology.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
