A U.S. government-affiliated agency’s close technical support has helped a Korean-made recreational boat break into the competitive American market.
The Korea Maritime Traffic Safety Authority (KOMSA), led by Chairman Ahn Young-cheol, announced on June 19 that it had assisted domestic yacht and boat specialist Scomtech Co., Ltd. in exporting to the U.S.
The U.S. is the world’s largest recreational boating market, with roughly one vessel for every 25 people, highlighting the popularity of boating culture. Outboard motorboats are the top choice among American consumers, followed by inboard motorboats, sailboats (yachts), and personal watercraft (PWCs). However, stringent safety regulations and certification processes, including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) compliance, American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards, NMMA certification, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, have traditionally posed significant barriers to entry.
The exported vessel is a leisure yacht measuring 8.5 meters (about 28 feet) in length and weighing 7.93 tons (about 17,482 lbs). Each boat is valued at approximately 400 million KRW (about 260,250 USD). KOMSA provided Scomtech with customized, complimentary technical support throughout the entire process, from design to inspection, ensuring compliance with U.S. vessel safety standards.
KOMSA consistently offers hands-on support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing challenges in overseas expansion due to varying technical standards and safety regulations across countries. Building on its U.S. export success, Scomtech is now in talks to enter South American markets, including Paraguay. KOMSA plans to continue its technical support for these endeavors.
The authority’s efforts have yielded tangible results. In the past year, seven small and medium enterprises (SMEs) receiving KOMSA’s technical assistance reported total exports worth 7 billion KRW (about 4.55 million USD). This year, KOMSA aims to expand its support to ten companies, targeting annual exports of 10 billion KRW (about 6.51 million USD).
KOMSA currently offers a range of services to SMEs with strong technical capabilities but limited export experience. These services include vessel and equipment safety verification, technical document translation, and guidance on overseas regulations. Interested companies can apply for support through the Corporate Growth Response Center on KOMSA’s website.
KOMSA Chairman Ahn Young-cheol stated that this yacht export marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the global recognition of our domestic small and medium-sized recreational boat manufacturers. It remains committed to providing comprehensive support to help SMEs in the maritime industry enhance their competitiveness in international markets.