Martial Arts, Exclusive 'Cargo Reservation Desk' for Member Companies in Maritime and Aviation Services Opened

One-Stop Support for Cargo Space Dedicated to SMEs
Participation by POSCO, SM Sangseon, and Korean Air
Route and Volume Expansion Underway

Photo by Busan Port Authority

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) will open the 'Member Company Cargo Reservation Desk,' a comprehensive support channel for maritime and air export logistics, on the 19th.

At the desk, companies can receive comprehensive guidance on the dedicated cargo space and air freight space support projects for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provided by POSCO, SM Line, Korean Air, and others, who recently signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with KITA to lead efforts in resolving logistics difficulties. Companies wishing to participate in the projects can apply through the KITA website or by phone (02-6000-7617/5628).

SM Line signed an MOU with KITA on June 8 and is providing 30 TEUs of dedicated cargo space for SMEs on container ships traveling from Busan to Los Angeles until the end of the year. POSCO (MOU signed on June 21) offers idle space on its bulk cargo vessels that regularly sail to over 80 ports across seven global regions. Korean Air (MOU signed on July 1) supports 3 tons of dedicated SME cargo space per flight on cargo planes flying twice weekly from Incheon to Los Angeles until the end of the year.

The dedicated cargo space support for SMEs is expected to expand soon to the Americas and East and Southeast Asia. KITA announced plans to collaborate with HMM to support long-term transport contracts to expand export cargo space to the Americas and is currently in discussions with Korea Marine Transport to secure dedicated SME cargo space primarily on routes to East and Southeast Asia.

Kim Byung-yoo, Head of Member Support at KITA, stated, "Large corporations and logistics companies are stepping up to support SMEs, and this support project will lay the foundation for win-win export logistics." He added, "We will continue to expand logistics support in cooperation with government ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."