LNG Supply During Container Unloading... First Success in Korea at Busan Port

Ship-to-ship Supply Method, 270 Tons of LNG Supplied

Trend of Switching Ship Fuel, Strengthening Port Competitiveness

For the first time at Busan Port, an LNG container ship has simultaneously loaded and unloaded cargo while receiving fuel.

Busan Port Authority (BPA, President Kang Junseok) announced on the 9th that on the 8th, at Busan New Port, the nation’s first simultaneous operation of ship-to-ship (STS) LNG supply (bunkering) and cargo handling for an LNG-powered container vessel was successfully conducted.

On this day, at Pier 5 of Busan New Port, the 2,000 TEU-class container ship VISBY, operated by French shipping company CMA CGM, was loaded and unloaded while an LNG bunkering vessel connected a hose offshore and supplied 270 tons of LNG to the VISBY.

Bunkering operations between vessels are taking place at Pier 5 of Busan New Port.

With the success of this demonstration, Busan Port has proven its capability to conduct simultaneous bunkering and cargo handling for LNG-powered container ships, enabling it to actively respond to the global trend of ship fuel conversion and enhance its port competitiveness.

Due to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s strengthened carbon emission regulations, the number of LNG-powered vessels is rapidly increasing worldwide. Major ports around the world are accelerating the construction of LNG bunkering infrastructure, and simultaneous LNG bunkering operations conducted alongside cargo handling are also being implemented.

In fact, shipping companies prefer the simultaneous STS bunkering method, which enables cost savings through faster bunkering operations.

The first place where simultaneous LNG bunkering operations were carried out was Helsinki Port in 2019, followed by successful operations at Singapore Port in 2021 and Shanghai Port in 2022.

Busan Port is also working to establish an LNG bunkering infrastructure in line with these changes.

In February of this year, Busan Port accumulated LNG bunkering experience and know-how through two demonstration operations with car carriers at Gamman Pier, and based on this, has now succeeded in simultaneous bunkering and cargo handling for container ships.

BPA is supporting the success of the LNG bunkering demonstration project by providing exemptions from port facility usage fees and reviewing safety systems through a consultative body with related organizations.

Additionally, in the second half of the year, BPA plans to conduct a feasibility study and establish a business plan for building an eco-friendly ship multi-fuel supply infrastructure at Busan Port. Efforts will continue so that, in the future, eco-friendly ship fuels other than LNG can also be supplied at Busan Port.

BPA President Kang Junseok stated, "In the future, the capability to supply eco-friendly ship fuel will be a key factor in determining port competitiveness," adding, "The success of this simultaneous operation demonstration will further enhance Busan Port's competitiveness."