President Moon Declares "Shipping Powerhouse Korea" During Visit to Busan New Port

Attended the Departure Ceremony of Hanul Ship at Busan New Port, a Global Hub Port... "Government Supports Leading Maritime Nation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in visited Busan Port New Port on the 29th and declared a vision for a "Maritime Powerhouse Korea."

The Blue House stated, "President Moon attended the 'Maritime Industry Leader Nation Realization Strategy Declaration and 16,000 TEU-class HMM Hanul-ho Departure Ceremony' held at Busan Port New Port, a gateway for domestic import and export cargo and a global hub port (the world's second-largest transshipment port), where he discussed strategies for advancing Korea as a leader in the maritime industry."

President Moon previously visited Busan Port in March 2018 and promised the government's active support for the reconstruction of the maritime industry. Following the naming ceremony of the first ultra-large container ship, 'HMM Algeciras' (April 2020), which marked the start and symbol of the five-year maritime reconstruction plan, he also attended the departure ceremony of 'HMM Hanul,' the last of twenty ultra-large container ships, on this day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Blue House added, "President Moon encouraged the restoration of Korea's maritime status and the competitiveness of national deep-sea shipping companies through maritime reconstruction, which also laid the foundation for the revival of the shipbuilding industry. He stated that the government will actively support efforts to consolidate advanced shipbuilding technology and IT and digital capabilities to become a world-leading nation."

Meanwhile, the event featured the departure ceremony of the 16,000 TEU-class ultra-large container ship 'HMM Hanul,' built as part of the five-year maritime reconstruction plan.

Starting from Busan Port, HMM Hanul will call at Hong Kong Port, Yantian Port in China, and then proceed to major European gateway ports including Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands, Hamburg Port in Germany, and Antwerp Port in Belgium, before returning around October this year. The total voyage distance is 38,000 km, nearly equivalent to circling the globe once.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon moved to Pier 4 of Busan Port New Port, where HMM Hanul was docked, received a navigation plan briefing, encouraged Captain Kang Eun-su and the 22 crew members, and urged them to complete their voyage safely and return in good health.

At Pier 4 of Busan Port New Port, President Moon received a report on the status of import and export logistics and emphasized that, due to accumulated congestion in global maritime logistics flows, domestic exporters are facing increased difficulties. He called on related agencies to pay special attention and make efforts to resolve export logistics challenges.

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