Chungnam, Boryeong to Establish 'Ultra-Low Temperature Refrigerated Logistics Complex'

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province is establishing an ultra-low temperature refrigerant logistics complex in Boryeong.

The province announced on the 4th that it has secured 10 billion KRW in national funding after being selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s “Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Cold Energy Utilization Refrigerant Logistics Complex Establishment Foundation Project.”

The project is primarily focused on creating an ultra-low temperature refrigerant logistics complex that collects and utilizes cold energy discarded and unused at the “Boryeong LNG Terminal” located in Ocheon-myeon, Boryeong City, with participation from the province, Boryeong City, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and others.

This project, one of the pledges of the 8th local government administration, will undergo a feasibility study for one year starting this month, followed by infrastructure construction such as heat exchangers and cold energy pipelines beginning in 2024.

The refrigerant logistics complex is being established in preparation for the development of future high-quality refrigeration and cold storage industries and the continuous expansion of logistics warehouse demand.

The province expects that once the refrigerant logistics complex is completed, it will be able to reduce electricity consumption by more than 70% compared to existing cold storage facilities through the utilization of LNG cold energy.

A total of 35 billion KRW, including 10 billion KRW in national funding, will be invested in this project from this year through 2025.

Currently, domestic LNG cold energy-utilizing refrigerant logistics complexes operate in Pyeongtaek (Oseong Industrial Complex, established in 2018) and Incheon (New Port Hinterland Complex, established in 2021), but relevant systems such as safety standards remain insufficient at present.

Accordingly, during the feasibility study process, the province also plans to standardize the not yet established “LNG refrigerant pipeline facility technical standards and safety management standards.”

Yu Jae-ryong, Director of the Future Industry Bureau of the province, said, “The project is meaningful in that it aligns with the ‘carbon-neutral economy,’ a key task of the 8th local government administration,” adding, “The province will lead industrial structure innovation by creating a zero-carbon, low-carbon corporate ecosystem through the establishment of an LNG cold energy utilization foundation and discovering various business models.”