BUSAN, Sept. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) announced a pilot program enabling ordinary citizens to invest in ships through fractional ownership. This initiative, set to launch this year, will issue profit-linked securities based on KOBC’s existing vessels, with a total issuance limit of 1 trillion won ($730 million). Retail investors can subscribe through brokerage accounts, and these securities will be tradable on secondary markets.
This move aligns with a broader push in South Korea to formalize fractional investments across various asset classes, with thirteen related bills currently pending in the National Assembly. If passed, these measures will simplify issuance processes, expand issuer options, and facilitate blockchain-based tokenized securities.
KOBC plans to enhance the program as the legal framework develops, potentially extending it to a wider array of maritime assets and introducing blockchain investment products. KOBC President Ahn Byung-gil stated, “This will open the door for public investment in ships and maritime assets.” The corporation is set to provide further details at a strategy forum on September 3.
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