Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority Holds 10th Anniversary Ceremony

10 Years Maintaining Top Export-Import Gateway Status with Steady Cargo Volume Growth

First Step Toward Fully Automated Construction of 4 Container Terminal Berths

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] “Over the past decade, through steady growth in cargo volume, Yeosu·Gwangyang Port has firmly maintained its status as South Korea’s number one export-import gateway port, and Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority has made groundbreaking debt reductions and laid the foundation for future growth.”

Cha Min-sik, President of Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, stated in his greeting at the 10th anniversary ceremony of the authority’s founding on the 19th, “Since its establishment on August 19, 2011, we have achieved various accomplishments with the interest and support of the government, the National Assembly, local communities, and maritime port stakeholders over the past 10 years.”

President Cha continued, “We have also carried out various projects over the past decade, including the additional introduction of 24-row ultra-large container cranes, operation of the automobile wharf, creation of the Yulchon convergence logistics complex, renewal of Nakpo Wharf, and establishment of the marine industry cluster.”

He particularly evaluated that “the year 2020 was a challenging year for the authority due to the spread of COVID-19 and the global economic downturn.”

He said, “By actively promoting New Deal projects and keeping pace with the paradigm shift in ports, we took the first step toward constructing four berths in the 3-2 phase of the container terminal as Korea-style fully automated terminals,” adding, “The establishment of the Development Business Headquarters also provided an opportunity to accelerate autonomous port development for the long-term future of Yeosu·Gwangyang Port.”

He further added, “Through securing additional port hinterlands such as the development of the northern hinterland complex, we have established a foundation where industry and port can converge as an outpost of the Y-Route.”

He briefly introduced the future development direction of the authority and Yeosu·Gwangyang Port.

President Cha stated, “The PORT IST three-year project for Yeosu·Gwangyang Port is just the beginning but will be an important step in preparing for South Korea’s 100-year future.”

He said, “The key theme this year is Smart Port,” adding, “We will respond to the new port paradigm through port automation and continuously enhance the productivity of Yeosu·Gwangyang Port.”

He emphasized, “By applying and utilizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies represented by blockchain, AI, and big data to the port, we will not only improve port efficiency but also establish Yeosu·Gwangyang Port as a new standard for smart ports.”

He also expressed his determination to develop Yeosu·Gwangyang Port into an industrial core port contributing to the national economy in 2022.

President Cha said, “We will establish the foundation for a self-sufficient cargo-generating port through activation of the marine industry cluster and expansion of the hinterland complex,” adding, “By attracting global leading companies and expanding port logistics business, we will grow Yeosu·Gwangyang Port into an Industrial Core Port.”

Regarding the realization of an eco-friendly port, he explained, “We will build and improve a real-time monitoring system using drones and air quality monitoring stations, and transform to eco-friendly ships, cargo handling, and transportation equipment to turn Yeosu Gwangyang Port into a clean port where people can breathe without worry,” adding, “We will reduce and recycle carbon dioxide, which threatens the survival of our children, to achieve carbon neutrality and further strive toward carbon negativity.”

He also emphasized that in line with the 100th anniversary of Yeosu Port’s opening in 2023, it will leap forward as a marine tourism hub (Tourism Port).

President Cha said, “Beyond the port’s logistics function, we will develop it as a marine tourism base connecting the people and the sea, a key axis of the South Coast tourism belt, and a marine tourism center linking the islands and coasts of the Dadohae region and the world.”

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