Support for Installation of Emission Reduction Devices on 317 Port Yard Tractors Starting This March

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 3rd that it will start a support project for installing Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) on yard tractors from March this year to reduce fine dust at ports.

Yard tractors are cargo handling equipment used to transport containers within the port. A total of 1,045 units are operated at major ports nationwide, including Busan, Gwangyang, and Incheon ports. These machines primarily use diesel fuel, which has been identified as a source of harmful exhaust emissions such as fine dust and carbon dioxide.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has converted a total of 309 yard tractors from diesel to liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel from 2015 to last year. This year, reflecting the demand survey conducted in January, 100 yard tractors at Busan Port will be converted to LNG.

According to the Ministry, when converted to LNG, fine dust emissions are reduced by 100% compared to diesel fuel. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions are also reduced by approximately 24% and 99%, respectively. Additionally, LNG is cheaper than diesel, resulting in about 32% fuel cost savings, and it reduces vibration and noise, thereby improving working conditions within the port, showing positive effects.

Along with this, for the first time this year, the government will invest 1.3 billion KRW in national funds to support the installation of diesel particulate filters on diesel-powered yard tractors at small terminals where short-term eco-friendly fuel conversion is difficult. The support targets a total of 317 yard tractors: 77 at Busan Port, 92 at Incheon Port, and 68 at Gwangyang Port. For ports managed by port authorities, 45% of the cost will be covered by national funds and 45% by the port authorities, while general ports will receive 90% support from national funds.

Park Young-ho, Director of the Port Logistics Planning Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "With this year's project, the eco-friendly conversion rate of port yard tractors is expected to reach 76%. To effectively reduce fine dust in port areas, cooperation between the government and the private sector is essential, so we ask for the active participation of terminal operators."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.