Korail-HMM Collaborate to Promote Eco-Friendly Rail Logistics

Korea Railroad Corporation announced on the 25th that it has signed an "Eco-friendly Rail Logistics Activation Memorandum of Understanding" with shipping company HMM to increase rail transport volume and reduce carbon emissions.

According to the agreement, both parties will cooperate to ensure the stable operation of the "Refrigerated Container Rail Transport Service" and collaborate to activate the container yard (CY) at Songsan Station on the Seohae Line, scheduled to open this year, as a northwestern inland transport hub.

Kim Yang-sook, Head of Logistics Business Division at Korail (left), and Lee Jung-yeop, Head of Container Business Division at HMM (right), are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the "Eco-friendly Rail Logistics Activation Business Agreement" on the 25th. Photo by Korea Railroad Corporation

To this end, Korail will promote the establishment of refrigerated container rail transport infrastructure, provide eco-friendly transport services through environmental performance certification, develop Songsan CY as a rail transport hub, and build an international multimodal transport system combining rail and shipping.

HMM will contribute to reducing carbon emissions through domestic inland rail logistics transport, establishing a sustainable transport system for carbon reduction, and strengthening international multimodal transport cooperation.

Based on the agreement, both parties expect to increase the rail transport share and expand the low-carbon logistics system by utilizing an "intermodal one-stop transport system" that directly connects cargo transport between rail and ships.

Kim Yang-suk, Head of Korail Logistics Business Division, said, "Korail and HMM will strive to secure stable export cargo transport routes through logistics innovation such as establishing an international multimodal transport system and transporting refrigerated cargo, and to expand the rail transport share."

Lee Jeong-yeop, Head of HMM Container Business Division, said, "This agreement with Korail marks progress in building an eco-friendly transport ecosystem, which is a key focus for us. Above all, it is meaningful that decarbonization of domestic refrigerated cargo transport has become possible."