Holding a Forum on Revitalizing Gwangyang Port Container Terminal

Published 10 May.2023 15:40(KST)

Participation of Related Organizations, Diagnosis of Issues and Tasks at Container Terminal

Collaborative Discussion on Roles and Support Measures by Each Organization

Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority (President Park Seong-hyun, YGPA) held the ‘Gwangyang Port Container Terminal Revitalization Grand Debate’ on the 10th at the 2nd-floor international conference hall.

The debate diagnosed the problems and challenges facing Gwangyang Port and proceeded to discuss activation measures by institution.

On the 10th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the 'Gwangyang Port Container Terminal Revitalization Grand Debate' held on the 2nd floor international conference hall of Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority.
Photo by Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority

In addition, heated discussions were held by dividing participants into Gwangyang Port user groups, service provider groups, and policy and institutional support groups. They also selected activation tasks and shared the roles each institution would perform.

Professor Kang Hyo-won of the Korea Port Logistics Strategy Institute proposed a port where ships, cargo, and systems are organically linked as a strategy to expand cargo volume at Gwangyang Port and suggested forming a broad consultative body for Gwangyang Port revitalization with related organizations.

In particular, Professor Kang proposed discovering specific anchor shippers capable of transferring cargo to Gwangyang Port to attract cargo volume, and YGPA anticipated that this could be applied as a new business model in the future.

Following this, YGPA announced three major promotion plans for revitalizing Gwangyang Port: ▲ strengthening route connectivity by attracting one shipping line per route ▲ expanding and operating the hinterland complex to increase self-generated cargo volume ▲ enhancing container terminal productivity to improve port competitiveness, and requested cooperation by identifying execution tasks for each institution.

In Session 2, Gwangyang Port user groups such as shipping companies, cargo owners, and forwarders expressed difficulties in attracting cargo and fleets due to weaknesses like a lack of routes at Gwangyang Port.

Container terminal operators, despite facing difficulties due to worsening external conditions and decreased cargo volume, sought cooperation regarding self-help efforts to improve productivity and service enhancement as well as areas where institutional support is needed.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Jeollanam-do Province, and Gwangyang City, among government and local governments, agreed to expand direct and indirect support for revitalizing Gwangyang Port.

Along with this, a signing ceremony was held for a cooperative project to revitalize Gwangyang Port container terminals, involving YGPA, the container terminal operators, Yeosu Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, Jeollanam-do Province, and Gwangyang City, which are the core institutions operating Gwangyang Port.

The main agreement contents include ▲ projects to improve container terminal productivity ▲ implementation of incentive systems to increase cargo volume ▲ establishment of mutual cooperation systems and policy development for Gwangyang Port revitalization.

Through this, operators secured a foundation to additionally lease essential cargo handling equipment for container terminal operations.

President Park Seong-hyun said, “I deeply felt that YGPA’s efforts alone have limitations in overcoming the current crisis to revitalize Gwangyang Port container terminals,” and added, “I ask all sectors, including Gwangyang Port users, civic groups, local governments, and political circles attending the debate, to join forces in revitalizing Gwangyang Port.”

President Park also added, “We will continuously strive to ensure that the revitalization of Gwangyang Port contributes to national economic and regional community development.”