Pyeongtaek Port Achieves First-Ever Eco-Friendly LNG Ship Bunkering Since Opening, Strengthening International Competitiveness

Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority Completes First LNG Bunkering Pilot Operation
Pyeongtaek Port Opens LNG Bunkering Era for Automobile Shipping Routes
Becoming a Global Green Shipping Hub
Recognized as an Eco-Friendly Port

On March 18, Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority announced that for the first time since its opening, it had successfully supplied 1,290 metric tons of eco-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a large car carrier at the Pyeongtaek International Automobile Wharf.

A bunkering tanker anchored for LNG refueling. Provided by Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority

With the successful completion of this first pilot operation, Pyeongtaek Port has established a full-fledged commercial eco-friendly ship fuel supply (bunkering) infrastructure, significantly enhancing its competitiveness as an international port.

The authority explained that the significance of LNG bunkering lies in the fact that, as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) continues to tighten environmental regulations, ports capable of LNG fuel supply can be recognized as "eco-friendly ports capable of responding to regulations."

LNG bunkering—the business of supplying LNG as marine fuel to ships—is a new high-value-added growth industry replacing traditional bunker C fuel oil. Ports such as Busan, Ulsan, Rotterdam, and Singapore are already strategically nurturing this sector. Therefore, the success of this pilot bunkering operation signals that Pyeongtaek Port is now ready to enter this market as well.

On this day, the bunkering vessel "Blue Whale" operated by Korea LNG Bunkering Co., Ltd. supplied 1,290 metric tons of LNG without incident to the "Lake Shirasagi," a car carrier operated by EUKOR Car Carriers Inc., Pyeongtaek Port's leading automobile shipping company.

Beginning with this test operation, EUKOR Car Carriers Inc. plans to secure bunkering vessel schedules and continue to receive eco-friendly fuel at Pyeongtaek Port as additional bunkering ships are introduced. Through these efforts, Pyeongtaek Port will be able to supply LNG fuel to five out of its eight automobile shipping service routes, firmly establishing itself as a bona fide "eco-friendly ship fuel supply port."

Refueling ship anchored for LNG bunkering. Provided by Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority

Previously, the authority moved swiftly to create an eco-friendly port at Pyeongtaek. In November 2025, it signed a "Pyeongtaek Port Carbon Neutral Green Hydrogen Port Establishment" business agreement with related organizations and leading companies to lay the groundwork for infrastructure. It also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium for joint investment in building a "Green Shipping Corridor" based on eco-friendly fuels.

Kim Keumgyu, Acting President of Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority, said, "Through this LNG bunkering pilot operation, Pyeongtaek Port has gained greater recognition for its eco-friendly port competitiveness in the shipping industry," and added, "We will spare no effort to ensure that Pyeongtaek Port can become a world-leading port in transitioning to and supplying eco-friendly fuels."

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