최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof.

국민대학교 일반대학원 북극학과 특임교수
Expert in Arctic Shipping Route, Sustainable Maritime Development & International Cooperation

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

South Korea’s first Arctic-route container trial voyage is targeting a 22 August departure from Busan. The decisive challenge is no longer ice, but sanctions compliance, insurance and financing. Meanwhile, China is moving towards weekly Arctic liner services.
#ArcticShipping #NSR #PortOfBusan

Busan’s First Arctic-Route Containership Targets an August 22 Departure – The Final Variable Is Sanctions, Not Ice
https://t.co/prvlyIqGab

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

The Houthi threat to Saudi shipping shows that bypassing Hormuz does not remove risk—it shifts it to Yanbu, Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez–SUMED corridor. Longer voyages, limited pipeline flexibility, AIS opacity and tighter VLCC supply are reshaping global oil logistics.

From Hormuz to Bab el-Mandeb: Houthi Blockade Exposes the Limits of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Export Workaround
https://t.co/3OZETQwb4x

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Dr. Kang Sung-Ho, former president of KOPRI, became the first Korean awarded Norway’s Royal Order of Merit for advancing polar research cooperation. With over 30 years of Arctic and Antarctic research and 37 expeditions, he helped strengthen long-term scientific ties between Korea and Norway.

Tildelt Den Kongelige Norske Fortjenstorden https://t.co/TzO4WPIXYz

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Launch Arctic Trial Voyage with a 2,700-TEU Containership
https://t.co/QE61CfrVGs

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

The Northern Sea Route as a Field of Deferred Russia-South Korea Cooperation — Russia in Global Affairs https://t.co/pqVwIvPaja

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

South Korea as an Arctic Enabler: A New Diplomatic Discourse for South Korea in the Arctic https://t.co/v3z8uIDpMG

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

<6월8일> <해양경제포럼>
'북극항로' 이슈를 놓고 한국, 중국, 일본, 러시아 전문가들이 발표 및 토론을 이어갑니다. [2026년 해양주간 사무국]

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

South Korea’s Special Envoy Chung Byung-ha met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on April 22 to discuss the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Chung urged Iran to ensure the safety of more than 40 South Korean nationals remaining in the country, as well as 26 South Korean vessels and their crews stranded in the Strait. He also emphasized the importance of guaranteeing free, swift, and safe passage for all vessels. Iran, for its part, attributed the instability in the Strait to military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.

South Korea's Envoy Urges Iran on Strait Safety, Navigation https://t.co/0fGKfmWd2n

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

The Middle East crisis and the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are increasing the need to diversify transport routes for energy, fertilizers, and bulk commodities, thereby raising the strategic value of the Northern Sea Route. However, Subeom Choi of the Korea Arctic Shipping Association noted that severe seasonality, icebreaker requirements, insurance limits, and infrastructure gaps mean the NSR cannot immediately replace Hormuz-dependent trade flows.

Middle East Crisis Could Elevate Northern Sea Route’s Value: Korea Arctic Shipping Association https://t.co/kRw4kAQo5o

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Check out the latest article in my newsletter: The Fourth Launch of Nuri Marks a Substantive Opening of Korea’s New Space Era https://t.co/RqJC1Qlh1i 출처 @LinkedIn

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Check out the latest article in my newsletter: Technology Is Redefining the Arctic Sea Corridor — The Strategic Meaning of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ 3MW POD Demonstration https://t.co/W09xZ85025 출처 @LinkedIn

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Check out the latest article in my newsletter: The Arctic Shipping Route: Beyond a Maritime Shortcut https://t.co/Zyl9irEHvK 출처 @LinkedIn

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) have jointly developed a nuclear-powered LNG carrier design based on a small modular reactor (SMR), which has received the world’s first Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Liberia flag state. The concept employs a molten salt reactor (MSR) with a capacity of 100 MW, designed to operate throughout the vessel’s lifetime without fuel replacement. Seen as an innovative solution for maritime decarbonization and carbon neutrality, the project highlights South Korea’s leadership in advanced ship propulsion technologies, while China and European shipbuilders are also accelerating efforts to apply SMR technology to commercial vessels.

Nuclear-powered LNG carrier design receives initial approval https://t.co/mm56ndI5AY

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

POSCO Group is weighing the acquisition of shipping giant HMM to diversify beyond steel and secure new growth drivers amid sluggish performance in its core businesses. The company has formed an advisory team including Samil PwC and Boston Consulting Group to review the deal. POSCO spends about 3 trillion won annually on logistics, and acquiring HMM could cut costs, stabilize procurement and exports, and mitigate risks like freight rate spikes. HMM’s bulk carrier expansion aligns with POSCO’s raw material needs. POSCO is expected to acquire Korea Development Bank’s 36% stake, potentially becoming HMM’s largest shareholder. With 16.5 trillion won in cash and 10.9 trillion won in net debt, analysts note POSCO can afford the deal but caution about limited synergy, high capex plans, and financial risks amid steel and battery sector headwinds.

https://t.co/fH4tuQTVXi

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has announced the completion of the world’s first commercial ammonia-fuelled engine. The 7-cylinder, 50 cm bore 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR engine can run on both ammonia and heavy fuel oil, achieving over 90% greenhouse gas reduction and about half the nitrogen oxide levels of conventional engines during trials, while meeting ClassNK’s environmental and safety standards. The unit will be delivered in October 2025 and installed on a mid-sized gas carrier under construction at JMU’s Ariake Shipyard, scheduled to enter service in 2026. J-ENG is also developing larger models and building a new factory to expand production from 2028, aiming to accelerate the wider adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.

Japan delivers world’s first commercial ammonia-fuelled engine https://t.co/zD9oh5g0mx 출처 @splash_247

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

POSCO is considering acquiring HMM as part of its strategy to diversify beyond steel and secure new growth drivers. The move is expected to reduce annual logistics costs of about 3 trillion won and stabilize raw material procurement and exports, thereby mitigating supply chain risks. The acquisition would likely proceed through purchasing KDB’s stake, with the option of co-managing with KOBC or pursuing an independent strategy. However, concerns remain over limited synergy with POSCO’s core businesses, financial burdens from weak steel demand, China’s overcapacity, U.S. tariffs, sluggish battery markets, and heavy capital expenditures, prompting experts to urge cautious evaluation.

https://t.co/LCXo3u0E8x

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Japan has signed an MOU with the U.S. pledging $550 billion in investments, with full discretion over project selection given to President Trump. Key candidates include the Alaska LNG pipeline, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Japan will provide funds through JBIC and NEXI, but refusal to finance projects could trigger renewed U.S. tariffs. Profits will be shared equally until loan principals and interest are repaid, after which the U.S. will take 90%. The agreement is non-binding and places Japan in a structurally unstable position, largely dependent on the whims of the Trump administration.

Japan's $550bn US investment pledge subject to Trump's whims https://t.co/K2xoqTKhwB 출처 @NikkeiAsia

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin that the SCO now bears greater responsibility for safeguarding regional peace and stability while promoting the prosperity of its member states. He emphasized that the summit carries the important mission of building consensus among members and boosting momentum for cooperation.

China's Xi says SCO bears 'greater responsibilities' for keeping regional peace https://t.co/RYa9vhWFUG

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

“북극항로, 제2의 포항제철 건설 각오로 임해야” https://t.co/50xTATzPVE

[최수범 Subeom CHOI, Prof. @choisubeom]

북극항로, 대한민국 미래 100년을 설계하다 https://t.co/IBDE1GJ8CQ