Korea’s ambitions to develop Arctic shipping routes are facing renewed criticism as HMM employees protest government plans to relocate the company’s headquarters from Seoul to Busan, reports the Korea Times.
The government has promoted Arctic routes as shorter alternatives to the Suez Canal for Asia-Europe trade. However, HMM’s union said the diplomatic and economic feasibility of such routes has not been verified, citing global reluctance to use them.
Major carriers including MSC, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have pledged not to use Arctic passages, citing safety and environmental concerns. Maersk also ruled out regular operations after a one-off trial in 2018. Environmental groups have criticised China’s plans to transport cargo through the North Pole.
Korea’s Paran Ocean Citizen Science Center urged authorities to prioritise marine conservation, noting that shipping firms are monitoring profitability and political risks. Former minister Chun Jae-soo, now running for Busan mayor, claimed global carriers are buying icebreakers to prepare for Arctic competition.
On March 12, Russia’s Rosatom said Korea joined China and India in developing the Northern Sea Route. The ministry admitted challenges remain due to Western sanctions and economies of scale. HMM is reportedly under pressure to join a trial voyage of a 3,000-TEU ship from Busan to Rotterdam via the North Pole in September.
