Busan's Bold Leap: How South Korea Is Building a Global Maritime Powerhouse

From Arctic shipping trials to a seafood export surge, Busan is rewriting Korea's maritime future. Will it outpace global rivals by 2030?

, and Administrator

2026 February 6 . 7:43 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white drawing of a ship in the water surrounded by icebergs, with... — The image shows a black and white drawing of a ship in the water surrounded by icebergs, with people on board and a sky in the background. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "Alaska, the first ship to sail in the Arctic".

Busan's Bold Leap: How South Korea Is Building a Global Maritime Powerhouse

South Korea is pushing to turn Busan into a global maritime center. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has officially moved its headquarters there and announced plans to relocate more public bodies and shipping firms. The shift aims to capitalize on new Arctic trade routes and boost the country's seafood exports.

The ministry opened its new Busan headquarters on Tuesday. Vice Oceans Minister Kim Sung-bum outlined plans to move 20 additional public institutions and companies to the city by 2027. Two major shippers, SK Shipping and H-Line Shipping, have already committed to relocating their headquarters there.

The government will concentrate all key maritime functions in Busan. This includes administration, finance, legal services, and industry operations. A new regional investment corporation and a specialized maritime court are also planned for the city.

To strengthen trade, the ministry will focus on expanding seafood exports. Gim (dried seaweed) alone is projected to bring in $1.1 billion in 2023, with seafood making up nearly a quarter of Korea's total food exports last year. Pilot operations on Arctic shipping routes will begin in 2026, opening faster trade links to Europe and North America.

By 2030, the ministry aims to develop domestic technologies for ice-resistant container ships and icebreakers. These advancements will support safer and more efficient Arctic navigation.

The relocation of government agencies and shipping firms to Busan marks a major step in Korea's maritime strategy. The city is set to become a central hub for trade, technology, and seafood exports. Arctic route trials and new infrastructure will further solidify its role in global shipping.