Busan Port Authority Launches Korea's First Simultaneous LNG Bunkering and Container Handling Operations

Busan Port Successfully Completes Korea's First Commercial LNG Bunkering and Cargo Handling Operation
Paving the Way for Global Leadership as a Carbon-Neutral and Green Port

Busan Port Authority (BPA) successfully conducted the first-ever commercial operation of Ship-To-Ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply (bunkering) and simultaneous cargo handling for an LNG-powered container ship in Korea from the 19th to the 21st at Busan New Port.

LNG Bunkering and Cargo Handling Operations_First Commercial Operation Commenced. (New Port Pier 7) Provided by Busan Port Authority

To enhance global eco-friendly port competitiveness, BPA has been successfully demonstrating simultaneous bunkering and cargo handling of eco-friendly ship fuels such as LNG and methanol in line with the government’s ‘Eco-friendly Ship Fuel Supply Chain Establishment Plan’ announced in November 2023.

This simultaneous bunkering and cargo handling operation took place at New Port Pier 7 (DGT). The Korean LNG bunkering vessel Blue Whale successfully supplied approximately 2,400 tons of LNG to the HMM SKY (7700 TEU class), which was undergoing cargo handling.

With this, Busan Port has demonstrated that it can perform stable and continuous bunkering operations by successfully completing commercial operations following the LNG bunkering and cargo handling demonstration in 2024.

In particular, shipping companies that prefer simultaneous cargo handling and STS bunkering to reduce costs are expected to actively use Busan Port, where simultaneous bunkering and cargo handling are possible. This will serve as an opportunity to elevate Busan Port’s global competitiveness to the next level.

BPA President Song Sang-geun stated, “This LNG bunkering and cargo handling simultaneous operation marks the first commercial operation in Korea, not just a demonstration, performing LNG supply and cargo handling.” He added, “We will further enhance Busan Port’s global port competitiveness by developing it into a world-class carbon-neutral and green port through establishing a fuel supply system and safety management in preparation for the expansion of eco-friendly ships.”