Certification required for 20-year-old carferries between Korea and China

Carferry service vessels over twenty years old running between Korea and China should register with each country's vessel inspection organization from next year.

Both countries held a special conference at the Department of Transportation meeting room in Beijing on July 7. They agreed on this to strengthen safety and customer service of carferries operating between the two countries.

According to this agreement, carferries over 20 years old must get a 'Dual Class' certification after taking a special safety check by an inspector from each country by 2007.

Other carferries must acquire this certificate for continuing operation before they become twenty years old.