Starting October 1, Korea will implement a revised inspection system for arriving ships, aligning its procedures with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced that quarantine officers will no longer automatically board vessels solely due to crew changes in disease-risk areas. This change is expected to expedite the entry of approximately 10,000 ships annually, shifting focus to a risk-based inspection approach.
Under the new regulations, officers will concentrate their inspections on vessels deemed at higher risk for disease transmission, such as those with reported cases of infectious diseases or lacking a valid sanitation certificate. Previously, inspections were mandatory whenever crew changes occurred in designated regions, even when the risk of a severe outbreak was minimal. This change aims to alleviate delays in shipping operations, which have been a concern for Korean shipping companies.
Additionally, the KDCA plans to enhance electronic document screening while still allowing for on-site health checks if documentation raises concerns. Random onboard inspections will also be introduced later this year to ensure thorough oversight as the focus shifts to paperwork. Furthermore, the fee for ship sanitation certificates will increase for the first time in 16 years, reflecting a new tiered pricing system based on gross tonnage.
