News / Seoul defends imbalance in state funding between HMM and feeder operators

Small and mid-sized Korean liner operators say the imbalance in state funding for the country’s vessel operators presents an existential threat to the smaller operators.

But Seoul has reacted with assurances that smaller operators would be supported.

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) defended the government’s strategy.

The ministry said: “HMM, which concentrates on ocean-going routes, and feeder operators. that specialise in shortsea routes to South-east Asia, China, and Japan, have different business bases. So co-operation, rather than competition, is needed ...