Jeonnam Province to Develop Yeosu Gwangyang Port as Asia's Top Smart Integrated Port

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok "Comprehensive Investment Plan of 3.26 Trillion Won by 2027"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, announced on the 10th, “We have prepared a comprehensive major plan to invest a total of 3.26 trillion KRW by 2027 in phased expansion of port infrastructure, expansion of hinterland complexes, and the ‘Korean New Deal’ projects to revitalize the Yeosu Gwangyang Port, which is facing difficulties due to the departure of major shipping companies amid the spread of COVID-19.”

Governor Kim announced the ‘Yeosu Gwangyang Port Revitalization Plan Linked with the Government’s Korean New Deal’ at a briefing room in the Jeollanam-do provincial office on the same day, stating, “We will develop it into ‘Asia’s best smart complex port’ that will create a total cargo volume of 500 million tons, added value of 2.7 trillion KRW, and 16,000 jobs.”

Jeollanam-do plans to support 20 billion KRW for short-term strategies to respond to the post-COVID era and to overcome the economic crisis and increase cargo volume in line with government policy directions by providing incentives, strengthening port marketing, and operating a regional institutional cooperation system.

As a mid- to long-term strategy, to materialize the ‘smart complex port’ presented in the 2nd Basic Plan for New Port Construction, 3.24 trillion KRW will be invested to establish policies to revitalize the container terminal, expand port infrastructure, enlarge the port hinterland complex, and enhance the competitiveness of the container terminal. Seventeen tasks across four projects have been identified to systematically develop Yeosu Gwangyang Port.

For the mid- to long-term strategy of establishing policies to revitalize the container terminal, Jeollanam-do, Yeosu City, Gwangyang City, Gwangju Jeonnam Research Institute, Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, and regional universities and other specialized institutions will form a regional research group.

Along with this, the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Development Council will be operated effectively to establish necessary policies and propose them to the government.

Regarding the expansion of port infrastructure, by 2026, 750 billion KRW will be invested to construct a 2.1 km internal circulation road in Gwangyang Port and establish a navigation circulation system, including dredging of the Yeocheon Myodo Channel, renewal of three berths at Nakpo Pier, and construction of a 120,000-ton berth at the Yulchon 2 Industrial Complex Naphtha (Naphtha) Pier, significantly expanding the infrastructure of Yeosu Gwangyang Port.

To expand the port hinterland complex, 330,000 square meters of the Sepung Industrial Complex will be designated as a port hinterland complex by next year, and 110,000 square meters of the northern hinterland complex will be developed early by 2025.

Additionally, by investing 456.2 billion KRW by 2027, the Yulchon 3rd Phase Reclamation Complex will be developed into a 3.18 million square meter convergence complex, increasing the port hinterland complex to promptly resolve shortages.

To enhance the competitiveness of the container terminal, 980 billion KRW will be invested to install ten 24-row container cranes, develop an automated container terminal with four berths, and build the world’s first sulfur oxide reduction port and a dedicated hydrogen ship port, constructing an advanced port with top-level facilities.

In particular, 594 billion KRW will be invested by 2024 to develop the automated container terminal with four berths linked to the government’s New Deal projects.

Accordingly, the plan responds to the global trend of automated port construction and introduces 4th Industrial Revolution new technologies to the port, establishing automated cargo handling systems and autonomous trucks to enhance competitiveness.

Furthermore, Yeosu Gwangyang Port will be developed as a sulfur oxide reduction port complying with IMO (International Maritime Organization) conventions and air quality laws, and a dedicated berth for hydrogen ships will be newly established in preparation for the future hydrogen economy, building a dedicated port equipped with hydrogen storage and production facilities.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, said, “We will carry out the newly established ‘Yeosu Gwangyang Port Revitalization Comprehensive Plan’ meticulously, without any setbacks, and with a sense of urgency. By 2027, we will develop it into ‘Asia’s best smart complex port’ that will create a total cargo volume of 500 million tons, added value of 2.7 trillion KRW, and 16,000 jobs.”

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