Asia/Pacific News
South Korean Maritime Accidents Double in 2015
The number of maritime accidents in South Korean waters doubled during the 2015 year, according to reports in South Korean media citing data from the South Korea Ministry of Public Safety and Security.
The government data is said to show a total of 2,740 maritime accidents involving ships occurred during 2015, double the previous three years' annual average of 1,367.
Poor maintenance was said to have led to over 850 of the accidents last year, while faulty equipment led to more than 670 accidents.
The data is also said to show that accidents involving vessels that drifted as a result of empty fuel tanks rose to 224 in 2015 from 104 the previous year.
Ship & Bunker was unable to obtain conclusive data on whether bunker spills in the region had also increased as a result of the rise.
In response to the increased number of maritime accidents, the safety ministry is reported to be planning to develop a consultative body for vessel safety that will be intended to ensure prompt implementation of follow-up measures after maritime accidents.
For its part, the country's coast guard is said to be launching a mobile maritime safety corps by the end of May with the intention of clamping down of vessels operating without properly functioning transceivers, or navigating under the influence of alcohol, as well as fishing in off-limit areas.
