KR (Korean Register, Chairman & CEO Lee Yongsok) announced that it successfully hosted the 21st KR Korea–Europe Committee (KREC) meeting in London, UK, on June 29.

Established in 2004, the KR Korea–Europe Committee (KREC) is an annual forum comprising prominent representatives from the European maritime industry. The committee serves as a platform to share updates on KR's international activities and the latest technological developments while strengthening its network with European maritime stakeholders through regular exchanges.

During the meeting, KR presented updates on its business activities, its participation in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and the latest research and development achievements in AI-driven decarbonization and digital transformation.
The technical session featured presentations on the latest developments in the Korean shipbuilding industry and KR's contributions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the sustainable use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in international shipping and related regulatory challenges, and an analysis of the greenhouse gas implications of the outcomes of the 84th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84).

Participants also shared updates on onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technologies and regulatory developments, as well as discussions within international working groups on greenhouse gas accounting and digital reporting, through presentations delivered by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and BIMCO.

The meeting also marked the retirement of Dr. Peter M. Swift, who had served with distinction as Chair of KREC for the past 22 years. Aron Frank Sørensen, Chief Environmental Officer of BIMCO, was appointed as the new Chair of KREC.

In addition, Carl Henrickson, Vice President of Shell International Trading & Shipping Co., Ltd., and Helge Bartels, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Bernhard Schulte GmbH & Co. KG, joined the committee as new members.
Lee Yongsok, Chairman & CEO of KR, said, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Peter M. Swift for his outstanding leadership of KREC over the past 22 years since its establishment in 2004. Thanks to his dedication, KR has built strong trust with the European maritime industry and achieved remarkable growth, contributing significantly to the development of Korea's shipbuilding industry as a whole. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation with our European partners through KREC."