BPA, Hamburg Port, and Ulsan Port Sign MOU for Cooperation on Eco-Friendly Ship Fuel

Expanding Use of Eco-Friendly Fuels and Standardizing Bunkering Technology: Building Global Partnerships

Busan Port Authority (BPA, President Kang Junseok) signed a "Green Ship Fuel Cooperation MOU" with Hamburg Port Authority (HPA, President Jens Meier) of Germany and Ulsan Port Authority (UPA, President Kim Jaegyun) at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) on the 24th.

On the 24th, Busan Port Authority (President Kang Junseok, center) signed an "Eco-friendly Ship Fuel Cooperation MOU" together with Hamburg Port Authority of Germany and Ulsan Port Authority at Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center.

The agreement among the three ports, aimed at expanding the use of eco-friendly ship fuels and standardizing bunkering technology, is drawing attention as an example of global ports cooperating for sustainable growth.

The main contents of the agreement include ▲encouraging the use of eco-friendly ship fuels ▲standardization of bunkering technology ▲improvement of carbon emission reduction systems and infrastructure within the ports ▲support for the operation of eco-friendly ships.

Since signing a sister port agreement in 2010, Busan Port and Hamburg Port have shared personnel and technical exchanges, jointly addressing common industry challenges such as decarbonization and digitalization. This MOU is expected to serve as an important milestone in building a strengthened partnership based on their ongoing cooperation.

Ulsan Port, as an energy hub with the world's fourth-largest liquid cargo handling capacity, plays a crucial role in supplying fuel to vessels calling at Busan Port.

In particular, by utilizing Ulsan Port's abundant storage facilities, it is expected that various eco-friendly ship fuels can be supplied through Ship-to-Ship (STS) bunkering methods.

Having already recognized the need for mutual cooperation, the two ports signed an agreement in November last year to "revitalize the eco-friendly ship fuel bunkering industry in the Southeast region."

In August this year, Busan Port successfully conducted simultaneous container handling and LNG bunkering operations for container ships, while Ulsan Port became the first in the world to successfully conduct green methanol bunkering via the STS method for ultra-large container vessels, continuing efforts to expand the use of eco-friendly ship fuels.

This MOU is expected to go beyond a mere declaration and lead to substantial cooperation. The signing ceremony was attended by the Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and the Mayor of Hamburg, lending strong support to each port's eco-friendly ship fuel initiatives.

Kang Junseok, President of BPA, stated, "This agreement is an opportunity for Busan Port to lead global standardization in the green ship fuel market together with Hamburg Port and Ulsan Port," adding, "Busan Port will continue to grow as a green port supplying a variety of eco-friendly fuels."