Regulatory Innovation Task Force "Port Hinterland Development Activation, Investment Vitality Up"

Measures to Enhance User Convenience through Regulatory Rationalization in the Port Logistics Sector

Gwangyang Port Hinterland Complex

Mid-sized logistics company A, with sales of 100 billion KRW, has been preparing to increase its business investments within the port hinterland complex. However, regulations related to the Free Economic Zone hindered progress. This was because there was a provision requiring the Free Economic Zone development plan to be changed first before altering the port development plan. As the time required for this procedure lengthened, company A faced setbacks in executing its investments.

The Regulatory Innovation Promotion Team and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries are rationalizing regulations in the port logistics sector. They will revise the cumbersome port development plan regulations and amend laws to clarify the legal basis for installing energy facilities.

According to the "Measures to Enhance User Convenience through Rationalization of Port Logistics Sector Regulations" announced on the 15th, the government has revised regulations so that when the port development plan changes, it is promptly reflected in the Free Economic Zone development plan. Until now, if the port development plan differed from the Free Economic Zone development plan, the Free Economic Zone development plan had to be changed first. This caused delays in port development projects and inefficiencies in administration.

Starting from July, the law will be amended to allow provincial governors to change development plans without going through the review and resolution of related committees. The scope of legally recognized "minor changes" will also be expanded. The government expects that these measures will promote private investment and create added value through smooth port development and operation.

Additionally, the legal basis has been clarified to increase eco-friendly energy facilities within port areas. There had been many calls for legal provisions to develop hydrogen facilities or Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) within port zones. Furthermore, port logistics research and survey institutions will be required to share port cargo volume data. The Promotion Team explained that providing accurate and predictable information will enhance the credibility of port policies.

Moreover, regarding entry and exit procedures, inconveniences such as repeated declarations when moving between adjacent ports like Yeosu and Gwangyang ports have been resolved. In the loading and unloading sector, active consideration will be given to expanding the grain wharf at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port, which can accommodate large vessels.

The Promotion Team identified tasks through collecting opinions from users such as private associations and research institutions since September last year to rationalize regulations. Subsequently, improvement plans were prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Korea Customs Service.

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