"Review of Establishing Carbon-Free Shipping Routes Between Busanhang and Tacoma Port"

South Korea and the United States are accelerating the establishment of carbon-neutral shipping routes between their ports, including Busan Port and Tacoma Port.

Busan Port during container unloading / Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the 2nd, Cho Hong-sik, Climate and Environment Ambassador, presented the progress of green shipping goals implementation along with more than 10 countries including the United States and Norway at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

South Korea and the U.S. conducted a preliminary feasibility study evaluating cargo flows, availability of renewable fuels, and fuel supply infrastructure between Busan Port, Ulsan Port, Masan Port, and the U.S. ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett to establish green shipping routes. At last year's COP28, the two countries agreed to establish a green shipping route between Busan Port and Tacoma Port, and this preliminary feasibility study is accelerating the initiative.

Based on the results of the preliminary feasibility study, the possibility of establishing multiple carbon-neutral shipping routes between ports such as Busan Port and Tacoma Port has increased. Ambassador Cho stated at the COP28 Green Shipping Goals high-level event, "If we fail to put the brakes on global warming now, the damage will be left entirely to future generations," adding, "It is very timely for international shipping to cooperate toward carbon neutrality through the establishment and expansion of green shipping routes."

Starting next year, South Korea and the U.S. will also conduct economic and regulatory feasibility studies for the establishment of green shipping routes. Subsequently, they plan to develop detailed implementation plans, form consultative bodies with participating companies and organizations, and aim for pilot operations around 2028.

The U.S. Embassy in Korea also stated that the two countries reviewed multiple potential green shipping routes, including transport routes for container ships and car carriers using green methanol or green ammonia. They added that the two countries plan to select one to three final routes and conduct detailed feasibility studies on those routes next year.

The Korean government plans to expand the establishment of green shipping routes with Australia, Europe, and Asian countries based on future Korea-U.S. cooperation.