Korea Line Corporation Officially Launches Elon Musk’s Starlink Service

[Financial News] Korea Line Corporation, a shipping affiliate of SM Group, announced on the 16th that it has officially launched Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)’s low Earth orbit satellite communication service Starlink, kicking off a full-fledged transition to smart shipping. The service will be applied to all 38 vessels it operates, including bulk carriers and LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers. This is a first in the domestic shipping industry.
Korea Line Corporation signed a service contract in April last year with KT SAT Co., Ltd., one of SpaceX’s official business-to-business (B2B) resellers. The company assessed that by utilizing the high-performance, ultra-high-speed satellite communication network, it can pursue qualitative improvements in smart vessel operations.
Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication service uses more than 8,000 satellites deployed at an altitude of about 550 kilometers. Because the distance to Earth is relatively short compared with Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites located more than 35,000 kilometers above the surface, communication speeds are faster.
Korea Line Corporation stated that Starlink has enabled it to quickly collect and transmit vessel operation data and has made real-time communication between ship and shore smoother than before. The company expects this to further enhance the efficiency and quality of onboard operations. It also plans to strengthen its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management capabilities in areas such as improving fuel efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing safe navigation.
The introduction of Starlink is also highly significant for improving the welfare of seafarers who spend long periods at sea.
Since Korea Line Corporation was incorporated into SM Group’s shipping division in 2013, SM Group Chairman Woo Oh-hyun has personally directed various benefits for seafarers and their families to recognize their hard work. With this launch, crew members will not only be able to stay in constant contact with their families, but will also have easier access to telemedicine and online education, which is expected to lead to overall improvements in working conditions and welfare.
Lee Dong-soo, CEO of Korea Line Corporation, said, “We have become the first in the industry to introduce Starlink across our entire fleet in order to support the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management that SM Group is prioritizing and to accelerate the achievement of our business goals,” adding, “In a global shipping market at a major inflection point, we will firmly establish the foundation for sustainable growth through digital transformation and value-driven management.”

ggg@fnnews.com Kang Gu-gwi Reporter