BPA Explores Cooperation Measures at the World Port Authorities Representatives Meeting

Discussion on Supply Chain Changes, Decarbonization, and Digitalization of 21 Major Ports

Busan Port Authority (BPA, President Kang Jun-seok) discussed responses and cooperation measures to global environmental changes together with major ports at the 9th World Port Authorities Representatives Meeting (PAR) held in Barcelona, Spain, from the 3rd to the 4th.

PAR (Port Authorities Roundtable) is a global consortium of major port authorities launched in 2015, with Busan Port Authority being the only participant from Korea.

Under the theme "Ports of Innovation in an Era of Change: Collaborative Responses to Uncertainty," representatives from 21 major ports worldwide, including Busan Port, Singapore, Rotterdam, and the Port of LA, attended the meeting.

The participating ports included eight from Europe (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Antwerp, Tanger Med, Gothenburg, London, Haropa), nine from Asia (Busan, Singapore, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Port Klang, Abu Dhabi), and four from the Americas (LA, Long Beach, Seattle, Vancouver).

Attendees discussed port operation strategies and cooperation methods among ports to effectively address future challenges such as changes in maritime supply chains, decarbonization, and port digitalization.

Lee Eung-hyuk, Head of the International Logistics Support Department, representing Busan Port, gave a presentation titled "The Impact of Relocation of Production Bases from China Due to US-China Trade Conflicts on Container Ports."

Deputy Director Lee explained that although the relocation of production bases from China appears to be progressing rapidly, actual data tells a different story. He pointed out that container cargo volumes exported from Southeast Asia and the Middle East/Indian subcontinent to North America and Europe still account for only about 10% of the volume originating from China, suggesting that concerns about the impact of de-China production relocation on Asian container ports' cargo volumes are exaggerated.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, said, "This meeting was a valuable opportunity to gather wisdom and explore cooperation measures regarding the complex challenges facing the global port industry," adding, "Busan Port will continue to take the lead in addressing common issues through ongoing cooperation with ports worldwide."