Korea-China To Develop Maritime Use

Having reached an agreement with their Chinese counterparts, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries announced that China and South Korea would gladly invite third party nations to make use of the busy shipping routes between the two countries. This agreeement was finalized after wrapping up the eighth convening of conferences focusing in on Sino-Korean maritime issues held in Seoul from June 19 to 24.

But, the two countries wanted to limit this so as not to further complicate some of the planet's most heavily used waterways or for environmentally hazardous vessels from entering the Yellow Sea area lying between the two countries. As to the actual routes to be taken, both governements will soon coordinate efforts on deciding allowable ship numbers looking at maritime transport supply and demand both present and expected.

The Ministry also concurred with Chinese government representatives to establish regular ferry routes with both promising to support this move by aiding in developing ports to handle ferry operations in able to start up service by the end of this year.

by Lee Jae-hoon