BPA Implements Seasonal Fine Dust Management at Busan Port ... Additional Incentives for Vessels Participating in Slow-Speed Navigation

Busan Port Slow Speed Navigation Area.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Duyul] Busan Port Authority (BPA) will implement a seasonal management system from December this year to March next year to reduce fine dust emissions from ships.

During this period, the authority will additionally reduce ship entry and exit fees for vessels participating in the "Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) program" and provide incentives.

The "Vessel Speed Reduction program" is a system that reduces part of the port facility usage fee (ship entry and exit fee) when eligible ships operate at 12 knots, about 22 km or less, from a designated sea area before entering Busan Port and approach the berth. It has been in operation since December 2019.

The eligible vessels are three types that account for the majority of ships entering Busan Port: container ships over 3000 tons, semi-container ships, and automobile carriers.

The slow-speed navigation zone is within a 20 nautical mile radius based on landmarks such as Bukhang Oryukdo Lighthouse, Gamcheon Port Saengdo Light Buoy, and New Port Gadukdo (Dongdumal) Lighthouse.

During the seasonal management period, participation in the slow-speed navigation program will increase the ship entry and exit fee reduction rate by 10 percentage points: from 30% to 40% for container ships over 3000 tons, and from 15% to 25% for semi-container ships and automobile carriers.

BPA is leading the shipping industry's participation to reduce air pollutant emissions by investing the largest budget among national port authorities this year.

Additionally, to increase participation from foreign shipping companies operating large vessels at Busan New Port, BPA plans to distribute English explanatory materials on the Vessel Speed Reduction program and manage participation rates more meticulously by analyzing monthly, ship type, and shipping company-specific participation rates.

Hong Seongjun, BPA Operations Director, said, "We will actively strive to encourage more shipping companies to participate in the Vessel Speed Reduction program to realize a clean port."