Ulsan Port Authority leads efforts on marine biofuel adoption as IMO regulations tighten
In a major push toward decarbonizing maritime logistics, President Jae-young Byeon of the Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) and Chief Executive Sun-bae Hong of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC) jointly announced the successful conclusion of the ‘2nd Forum on the Commercialization of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels,’ held on 23 April at the Caradium Hall of the PJ Hotel in Seoul.
The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and co-organised by UPA and KMC, drew around 300 key stakeholders from across the shipping, energy, terminal, shipbuilding, and finance sectors. The event underscored the increasing urgency of eco-friendly fuel adoption, following the IMO's approval of mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures.
Positioning Ulsan Port as a leading biofuel supply hub in Northeast Asia was central to the agenda. UPA, Korea’s foremost port operator for energy and petrochemical logistics, emphasized its strategic role in building a stable marine biofuel supply chain aligned with tightening global regulations.
During the second session, UPA's Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centered on Ulsan Port, highlighting the port's strategic advantages including its world-class petrochemical infrastructure, extensive storage facilities, and specialized handling expertise. The presentation showcased UPA's commitment to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks to become Northeast Asia's premier biofuel bunkering destination.
"As IMO environmental regulations intensify, Ulsan Port Authority is strategically positioned to lead the transition to alternative fuels," stated UPA President Jae-young Byeon. "Marine biofuels represent a practical alternative that can be implemented immediately without requiring new vessel construction or retrofitting. UPA will continue to strengthen port-centered biofuel supply networks and create a competitive eco-friendly marine fuel market through our advanced infrastructure and technical expertise."
Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC), Hong Sun-bae, emphasized that "the strategic partnership between the shipping industry and the logistics sector has become more important than ever in this era of climate-friendly economic transition."
During his address, Director Hong stressed, "We will continuously facilitate industry dialogue forums like this meeting to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic shipping industry as international regulations approach, creating opportunities for growth."