The Seafarers' Fund Foundation said on Feb. 5 that it will support the introduction of ultra-high-speed internet service on board ships to improve the welfare of seafarers who have to spend months at sea.
The support will cover a total of 300 vessels, including nationally essential ships and designated international ships, and 800,000 won per month will be provided per vessel, equivalent to half of the ship's internet fee.
The foundation expects that introducing on-board ultra-high-speed internet comparable to onshore service will help alleviate seafarers' sense of isolation and disconnection.
The internet previously used by seafarers via geostationary satellites had limitations for real-time communication due to slow speeds and high latency.
At the main auditorium of the Busan Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology that day, the foundation held a ceremony to mark the project to improve shipboard communications and connected six vessels eligible for fee support via multi-party video calls to conduct interviews with the crews.
Attendees included Acting Minister Kim Seong-beom of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and 2nd Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong of the Ministry of Science and ICT, as well as heads and officials of related seafarer organizations and trainees in the Ocean Polytech third-class merchant ship course.
The foundation also held a ceremony to deliver funds to Ocean Polytech trainees that day. It is a grants contribution to support the training of Korea-flag officers by providing 500,000 won per month to trainees in the Ocean Polytech third-class merchant ship course.
Lee Seung-woo, chair of the Seafarers' Fund Foundation, said, "We expect the support project to improve the level of digital welfare for seafarers," adding, "We will continue to work to expand training, employment and welfare for seafarers."