YGPA Holds Joint Forum on Preparing for North Pole Routes

Participants pose for a photo in at the Joint Forum on Preparing for North Pole Routes in the National Assembly Library Auditorium on Sept. 18. (Photo: YGPA)

Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority (YGPA) announced that it held the Joint Forum on Preparing for North Pole Routes in the National Assembly Library Auditorium on Sept. 18.

The forum presented a blueprint for future strategies for Korea's gateway ports amid a global shift to the era of North Pole routes, driven by climate change and challenges facing global supply chains.

The first part of the forum consisted of a launch ceremony and a the second part was a Joint Forum discussion on Preparing for North Pole Routes.

The pan-governmental cooperative body is dedicated to fostering hub ports tailored to the specific characteristics of each vessel and type of cargoes, in line with the Korean government's key policy agenda of developing North Pole routes and promoting balanced regional development.

The forum lasted for two hours and was attended by approximately 300 participants.

The joint forum was co-hosted by the Office of Representative Joo Chul-hyun, along with the offices of 11 other National Assembly members, the YGPA, the Busan Port Authority, the Incheon Port Authority, the Ulsan Port Authority, the Korea Ocean Business Corporation, and the Korea Polar Research Institute.

During the launching ceremony, approximately 20 National Assembly members including Representative Joo Chul-hyun were present in person, expressing their commitment and support for the dawn of an era of North Pole routes.

In the discussion, Jin Kyung, director of policy cooperation at the Korea Polar Research Institute, made a presentation on the environment and a vision of North Pole routes.

Park Sung-hyun, a former President of Mokpo National Maritime University, spoke about North Pole routes and a Northeast Asian energy resource logistics hub.

Lee Hong-hoon, a director of the North Pole Route Vessel Safety Research Center at Mokpo National Maritime University, moderated the discussion on response strategies and cooperation plans for each port.

Discussants included Ryu Ji-ho, an official of the Maritime Policy Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries; Lee Eung-hyeok, director of the International Logistics Support Office at the Busan Port Authority; Park Won-keun, director of the Logistics Strategy Office at the Incheon Port Authority; Kim Byeong-gu, manager of the Logistics Sales Department at the Ulsan Port Authority; Lim Hyeong-yoon, director of the YGPA; and Jeong Yeong-du, director of the Maritime Supply Chain Planning Division at Korea Ocean Business Corporation.

Participants from the industry represented a balanced regional spectrum including Woo Jong-wan, CEO of Tongyang in Yeosu; and Lee Myeong-ho, a manager of Polaris Shipping Co., Ltd. in Busan.

In particular, the YGPA unveiled key strategies including reforming regulations at D-1 Berth to transform it into a maritime transshipment hub, building an LNG bunkering hub, establishing a North Pole route information center, and creating a cluster linked to North Pole route R&D.

The company expressed a strong vision to move beyond a simple logistics hub and become a forward base for North Pole routes in Korea.

2035 Mid- to Long-Term Management Strategy Meeting

YGPA announced on Sept. 15 that it held 2035 Mid- to Long-Term Management Strategy Meeting to achieve its management goals and proactively pursue government initiatives.

Based on the new administration's pledges and policies and an analysis of the global maritime and port logistics market, YGPA plans to reestablish its strategic direction and core businesses and leap forward as a global general port, leading the way in innovation-based, sustainable future logistics.

The meeting also laid out a plan to incorporate key government initiatives such as North Pole routes, AI-powered smart ports, safety, energy and carbon neutrality, and ESG and innovative management, into core projects.

It also unveiled a plan to achieve tangible results for the general public and customers.

YGPA plans to finalize its strategic system overhaul by October after gathering input from various stakeholders, including departmental vision supporters, junior board members, external experts, and customers.

Through two-way communication, the new strategic system will be internalized, resulting in tangible results for company-wide strategic initiatives within the year.