Korea Ocean Business Corp. holds SME shipping CEO forum, unveils second special support program

Korea Ocean Business Corp. held its 2026 Small and Medium Shipping Company CEO Conference at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on Friday, announcing the second round of its special support program for small and medium-sized shipping companies based on feedback gathered directly from the industry.

The program is a combined financial and non-financial support scheme the corporation has operated since 2022 to help small and medium-sized shipping companies secure stable funding and management services. Its first round delivered a total of 388.7 billion won ($252 million), serving as a key financial backstop for the sector.

The second round goes beyond simple funding, with its central aim being to meaningfully lower the barriers that smaller shipping companies encounter in practice.

The package can be summed up as "broader and lighter." On the coverage side, eligibility has been expanded beyond small and medium-sized enterprises to include newly designated mid-sized shipping companies. A "growth ladder" system will allow companies that graduate to mid-sized status to retain their eligibility for three years, ensuring support reaches firms at every stage of growth.

Participation requirements have also been eased. The debt-to-equity ratio threshold has been raised from 500 percent to 600 percent, allowing more shipping companies to operate with greater stability. The recommended loan amount under the interest-subsidy program for ocean-going carriers has been increased from 2 billion won to 3 billion won, easing operating cost pressures on shipping firms in the current high-rate environment.

The conference also featured special lectures. Kim Hoe-jun, a team leader at the Korean Register of Shipping, spoke on the key outcomes and implications of the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee. Choi Jae-sung, chief executive of Clarksons Korea, addressed supply chain restructuring and opportunities for shipping companies. Together, the sessions explored survival strategies and future directions for smaller carriers in a rapidly shifting global shipping market.

"This conference is not simply a venue for announcing policy — it is a forum for communication where we listen to the challenges our CEOs face and think through the future together," said Ahn Byeong-gil, president of Korea Ocean Business Corp. "We will continue to listen closely to voices from the field and develop practical support measures that small and medium-sized shipping companies can truly feel."