최근 수십년간 크고 작은 대형 해난사고가 발생하였으며 2002년 6월 29일 제2연평해전에서 우리 해군 함정 참수리 357함이 이북 함정의 포탄에 피격되어 7시간 30분만에 침몰하였고 2007년 12월 7일 새벽 07시 태안 만리포 앞 해상에 정박 중이던 대형 유조선 허베이 스피리트호와 삼성중공업 타워 크레인과 충돌로 원유 12,547 톤이 유출하는 등의 크고 작은 사고가 빈번하게 발생되었다.

Capital cost of ships for advanced maritime countries is generally regarded as an international cost, which is, or can be, irrelevant with respect to the nationality of shipowners. However, Korean shipowners have been not only forced by national laws and regulations to build their ships at Korean shipyards, but also restricted to access to foreign financial markets. Having said that, as far as Korean shipowners are concerned, the capital cost has become a national cost. Consequently, it causes them to lower International competitiveness. This paper aims to identify the causes deteriorating international competitiveness of Korean shipping with reference to capital costs and suggest constructive proposals.