In a significant move aimed at advancing the decarbonization of maritime logistics, Jae-young Byeon, President of the Ulsan Port Authority (UPA), and Sun-bae Hong, Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), jointly announced the successful completion of the “2nd Forum on the Commercialization of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels.” This forum occurred on April 23rd, 2025, at the Caradium Hall of the PJ Hotel in Seoul, reports AJOT.
Leading Biofuel Supply
The recent forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ulsan Port Authority (UPA), and the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), brought together approximately 300 key figures from the shipping, energy, terminal, shipbuilding, and finance sectors. A central theme of the event was the growing urgency for the maritime industry to adopt eco-friendly fuels, particularly in light of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s recent approval of mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures.
A key focus of the forum was positioning Ulsan Port as a leading biofuel supply hub in Northeast Asia. Recognizing the increasing importance of alternative fuels, UPA, as Korea’s primary port operator for energy and petrochemical logistics, emphasized its crucial role in establishing a stable and reliable marine biofuel supply chain that aligns with increasingly stringent global environmental regulations.
During the forum’s second session, UPA’s Director, Byeong-gu Kim, presented comprehensive plans to promote the adoption of marine biofuel, with Ulsan Port at the center of these efforts. He highlighted the port’s significant strategic advantages, including its world-class petrochemical infrastructure, extensive storage capabilities, and specialized expertise in handling such materials. This presentation underscored UPA’s strong commitment to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks to achieve its goal of becoming Northeast Asia’s premier destination for biofuel bunkering.
Alternative Fuel Transition
UPA President Jae-young Byeon emphasized Ulsan Port Authority’s strategic advantage in the evolving landscape of IMO environmental regulations, stating, “As IMO environmental regulations intensify, Ulsan Port Authority is strategically positioned to lead the transition to alternative fuels. Marine biofuels represent a practical alternative that can be implemented immediately without requiring new vessel construction or retrofitting. UPA will continue to strengthen port-centered biofuel supply networks and create a competitive, eco-friendly marine fuel market through our advanced infrastructure and technical expertise.”
Hong Sun-bae, Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), highlighted the increasing importance of collaboration between the shipping and logistics sectors in the current climate-friendly economic transition. During his address, Director Hong stated, “The strategic partnership between the shipping industry and the logistics sector has become more important than ever in this era of climate-friendly economic transition. We will continuously facilitate industry dialogue forums like this meeting to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic shipping industry as international regulations approach, creating growth opportunities.”
The forum also included expert sessions that provided actionable insights and market intelligence from key stakeholders in the maritime and energy industries. These sessions covered a range of critical topics:
- Key outcomes from the 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) presented by Team Leader Dae-jung Hwang of KMC.
- Biofuel utilization and demonstration cases shared by Manager Dae-sik Seo of HMM.
- Current usage status and challenges of B100 biofuel are discussed by Manager Min-guk Jang of G-Marine Service.
- Market outlook for marine biofuels provided by Chief Surveyor Jae-hoon Lim of DNV.
- Case studies of biofuel applications for marine engines presented by Team Leader Jae-yup Seo of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
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Source: AJOT
