Investigating the Impact of Deregulation on the Ship’s materials Industry

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Living conditions have improved and there has been an increase in leisure and experiential culture, leading to a rise in long-distance water activities. The Act on the Development and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Ships was implemented in reaction to stricter environmental regulations, leading to a significant rise in the need for eco-friendly ships, especially in the public vessel industry. As a result, many individuals involved in the marine recreation sector have requested for regulations regarding ship’s materials to be eased. A field study was carried out on companies currently undergoing inspections to evaluate how easing inspections and certifications for ship’s materials would impact shipbuilders and manufacturers. Both in-person and telephone surveys were used, followed by analyzing the reliability and descriptive statistics of the collected data. The majority of manufacturers surveyed were found to operate under constrained conditions, characterized by limited revenue and scarce resources. Concerns were raised that regulatory relaxation could lead to a decline in product quality and have adverse economic consequences. Participants also opposed deregulation without the establishment of mutual recognition of regulatory standards, citing insufficient capacity for alternative technological development as an additional barrier. There was considerable concern that the introduction of substandard equipment facilitated by deregulation could compromise safety aboard vessels, potentially resulting in maritime accidents. These apprehensions highlight the necessity for a balanced policy framework that simultaneously protects maritime safety and promotes the sustainable growth of the manufacturing sector. In light of these findings, the present study advocates for increased governmental support as a strategic imperative.