SOUTH Korea has pledged US$4 billion in financing to expand the nation's containership fleet, adding about one million TEU in capacity to the global fleet, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The investment aims to increase the proportion of eco-friendly vessels among national ocean shipping companies to 60 per cent by 2030.

This initiative, primarily benefiting national champion carrier HMM, is part of broader efforts to boost Korea's port-automation technology sector and give Korean companies an edge in the green transition.

However, challenges persist, including oversupply concerns due to new deliveries and potential trade disputes over industrial-policy programmes.