South Korean ship mooring standards gain ISO Recognition

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said the United States, Japan, Britain and three other countries agreed to accept all 12 standards submitted by South Korean shipyards, including global leader Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. The standards, which will be officially designated as international norms in 2010, cover so-called mooring, towing and fittings equipment and facilities that are used to secure ships to a harbor jetty or floating buoys.
"A set standard could enhance quality and ease design and building requirements that translates into lower costs," said an agency official.
The agency said that the ISO's decision will help the country further strengthen its dominant position in the shipping industry.
Moorings and fittings are all part of a ships design and construction.
In 2008, exports from South Korean shipyards totaled US$43.1 billion and won 16.4 million compensated gross tons of new orders in the first 10 months of the year, roughly 41 percent of all global orders.