An overview of the vessel inspection station at Baeksajang Port in Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province, under the jurisdiction of KOMSA's Taean branch. [KOMSA]
An overview of the vessel inspection station at Baeksajang Port in Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province, under the jurisdiction of KOMSA's Taean branch. [KOMSA]

The Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) has opened new vessel inspection stations in Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province, and Uljin-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, expanding its field-based maritime safety management network. The move is intended to improve access to vessel inspections and reduce the travel burden on fishers and vessel owners while strengthening safety oversight.

KOMSA announced Monday that it opened two stations during the first half of the year — one at Baeksajang Port in Taean-gun on June 23 and another at Hupo Port in Uljin-gun on June 30.

The stations serve as regional hubs for vessel inspections, maritime safety information and on-site safety checks. They offer one-stop services linking vessel repair, inspection and safety checks to support field-centered safety management.

Taean is a major fishing and tourism area on the west coast with heavy fishing boat and small vessel traffic, while Hupo Port in Uljin serves as a key fishing base on the east coast. KOMSA said it expects the new stations to improve inspection accessibility and enable faster service in both areas.

A map showing the locations of vessel inspection stations nationwide. [KOMSA]
A map showing the locations of vessel inspection stations nationwide. [KOMSA]

KOMSA has been expanding its vessel inspection station network in stages over the past three years. It launched five stations in 2023, including sites in Donghae, Pohang and Mokpo, added four more in 2024 in Jeju and Busan, and opened five additional stations in 2025 in Incheon and Yeosu, bringing the current total to 14.

The authority plans to designate four more stations this year, expanding the nationwide network to 18. The expansion aims to narrow service gaps between regions and further strengthen field-based maritime safety management.

"Opening the Taean and Uljin vessel inspection stations is a step toward reinforcing our field-centered safety management system and improving convenience for fishers," KOMSA Chairman Ahn Young-cheol said. "We will continue to build out vessel inspection infrastructure to create a maritime transportation environment where the public can feel safe."


adastra@heraldcorp.com