Changwon Chamber of Commerce Urges Government for Prompt Construction of New Port Business Center

Port Services at the Completion of Shinhang

Considering Demand, Construction Must Be Hastened

The Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gyeongnam sent a 'Request for the Prompt Construction of the New Port Business Center' to the Presidential Office, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 30th.

Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

In the request, Changwon Chamber of Commerce emphasized, "Busan Port, the world's second-largest transshipment port and the largest port in South Korea, has experienced a sharp increase in cargo volume since the opening of the New Port in 2006. It is expected to establish itself as the central port of Northeast Asia with the opening of Jinhae New Port in 2030. In fact, the container cargo volume at Busan Port increased by 83.3% from 12.04 million TEU in 2006, when the New Port opened, to 22.07 million TEU in 2022. It is projected to reach 30.12 million TEU in 2030, the opening year of Jinhae New Port, and 42.6 million TEU in 2040," it stressed.

It added, "Although the core port functions of Busan Port are shifting to the New Port and Jinhae New Port, administrative and support institutions that assist the port logistics industry are scattered, causing inefficiencies in port operations and acting as obstacles to the development of the port logistics industry," explaining the background of the request.

Furthermore, it stated, "To match the functions and scale of the steadily increasing cargo volume at the New Port and the newly established Jinhae New Port, it is necessary not only to expand port facilities quantitatively but also to establish an administrative support system through the agglomeration of port functions to maximize convenience and efficiency. At the same time, an ecosystem for the port logistics industry that adds value must be created together. To this end, the construction of a business center that can concentrate port logistics businesses such as cargo owners, freight forwarders, shipping companies, and warehouse operators, administrative services such as customs clearance and quarantine, support institutions such as finance and insurance, and port professional education institutions must be promptly realized," it said.

It also cited advanced ports' business centers such as the World Port Center in Rotterdam and PSA International in Singapore, stating, "Countries around the world are developing port business centers centered on areas where port logistics occur, equipped with infrastructure that enables multifunctional logistics distribution centers and agglomeration effects of port-adjacent companies. Through this, port-adjacent areas have been harmoniously developed into economic hubs that integrate not only simple logistics functions but also related industries, tourism, and residential areas."

The Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry requested the prompt construction of a business center suitable for the scale and functions of the New Port to prepare proactive conditions for enhancing port efficiency through the agglomeration of shipping, port, and logistics support institutions and balanced development of the port logistics industry in line with the construction of the New Port and Jinhae New Port.

A representative of the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "We understand that the necessity of constructing the New Port Business Center is recognized not only by the government and port users but also by most local residents. However, considering the significantly increased demand for port services after the completion of the New Port, the construction speed must be accelerated through simplification of administrative procedures and active government support."

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