Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority Signs MOU to Establish Carbon-Neutral Port

Port Authority Signs 'Carbon Neutrality Agreement' with SK E&S, Kepercity, Gwangyang Port West Container Terminal, and Korea International Terminal

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority (President Cha Minsik) has begun full-scale efforts to transform Yeosu Gwangyang Port into a carbon-neutral port.

On the 10th, the authority announced that it signed a business agreement with SK E&S, CAPACITY, Gwangyang Port West Container Terminal (GWCT), and Korea International Terminal (KIT) regarding the introduction of hydrogen yard tractors.

This agreement is aimed at introducing hydrogen yard tractors, a leading task of the 'Yeosu Gwangyang Port 2050 Carbon Neutral Promotion Strategy' established by the authority last month.

The authority explained that it has established a cooperative network among hydrogen suppliers, terminal operators, and cargo handling equipment manufacturers to specify mutual cooperation matters necessary for the successful promotion of hydrogen yard tractor introduction for Yeosu Gwangyang Port 2050 carbon neutrality.

According to the agreement, the authority will provide administrative and financial support to facilitate equipment introduction and operation.

SK E&S will support the construction of hydrogen charging stations and provide test equipment, while KIT and GWCT will provide sites and support operations necessary for equipment introduction.

Additionally, Capacity will provide test equipment and technical support to mutually cooperate in transforming Yeosu Gwangyang Port into a carbon-neutral port and leading the creation of a hydrogen sharing ecosystem.

The hydrogen yard tractors to be introduced through this agreement are the most pioneering item in the port carbon neutrality project, aiming to convert 100 diesel yard tractors operating at Gwangyang Port container terminal into hydrogen yard tractors.

Upon completion of this project, it is expected to create an annual hydrogen consumption demand of 720 tons and reduce 5,040 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, playing a pioneering role in building and spreading carbon-neutral ports, according to the authority.

The authority plans to promote the electrification project of 23 transfer cranes alongside the hydrogen yard tractor introduction project.

The transfer crane electrification project is also expected to save more than 3 billion KRW in annual operating costs and reduce approximately 4,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

Furthermore, the authority plans to establish a global standard for carbon-neutral ports by converting all cargo handling equipment at the container terminal to eco-friendly power sources through R&D projects for special handling equipment such as reach stackers.

President Cha Minsik said, “Carbon neutrality is our hope and future,” adding, “We will do our utmost to make Yeosu Gwangyang Port a world-leading carbon-neutral port, starting with the introduction of Korea’s first hydrogen cargo handling equipment at a domestic port.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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