- Global Ports Join Forces for Sustainable Growth.
- Ports Collaborate on Eco-Friendly Fuel and Digitalization.
- Hamburg, Busan, Ulsan Lead Maritime Decarbonization.
In a recent joint declaration of intent, the Hamburg Port Authority in Germany signed an agreement with the Busan Port Authority and Ulsan Port Authority of South Korea to cooperate on the decarbonization of maritime transport in the future by increasing the use of environmentally friendly marine fuels, reports OffshoreEnergy.
Global Ports Unite for Sustainable Growth
On the occasion of Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher’s visit to South Korea, the three major ports of Hamburg, Busan, and Ulsan signed a major agreement. This is another step forward in global port cooperation focused on sustainable growth and innovation in the maritime industry.
A Shared Vision for Infrastructure Development
The three ports, considered strategic entry points within their respective regions, have thus agreed to collaborate on efforts geared towards emissions reduction and port infrastructure upgrade.
Such collaboration will facilitate harmonization in low-carbon ship fuel consumption and bunkering activities. Hence, the objective of this is to elevate the environmental practices and technological development of the port system worldwide.
Advancing of Green Shipping and Digitalization
The partnership will focus on accelerating the exchange of environmentally friendly practices and bunkering initiatives in the ports. In addition, both entities will cooperate in developing digitalization processes in port operations to further make shipping efficient and sustainable.
“Together with the largest ports in South Korea, the Hamburg Port Authority is working on the future transport, storage and use of climate-friendly fuels in our port. This is a major contribution to the energy transition in the maritime economy and an important step on Hamburg’s path to becoming a leading hydrogen location in Europe,” Tschentscher commented.
Decarbonisation Beyond Green Ships
“This agreement is another step on our path to making ports and ships pioneers of the energy transition. Decarbonization is not just about green ships, but about shaping shipping as a transporter of non-fossil fuels such as ammonia. I am pleased that our partners in Busan and Ulsan want to help shape this process together with us,” Jens Meier, CEO of HPA, said.
Strengthening Long-Standing Relations
Busan and Hamburg port administrations have maintained close cooperation since the sister port agreement concluded in 2010. The partnership forges over a decade of technical exchanges on overcoming common challenges of decarbonization and digitalization.
The addition of Ulsan further strengthens the relationship and creates a more robust network for sustainable maritime development.
Ulsan’s Role as an Energy Hub
As one of the world’s leaders in terms of handling the largest amount of liquid cargo, Ulsan Port is significant for fuelling ships calling at Busan. It also set a world record by being the world’s first to supply green methanol to a containership in 2023.
By 2030, Ulsan New Port is also expected to have established a clean hydrogen and ammonia terminal, to further bolster its importance in the wider transition towards eco-friendly marine fuels globally.
Busan’s Move Towards Green Port Status
Major progress has been seen by the Port of Busan in its green shipping- South Korea’s first simultaneous operation of LNG bunkering and containership cargo handling was launched last August 2023.
According to BPA President Kang Joon-seok, this new agreement helps place Busan in the same league as Hamburg and Ulsan globally in eco-friendly fuel. “In the future, Busan Port will leap forward as a green port that supplies various eco-friendly fuels,” he added.
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Source: OffshoreEnergy
