Ulsan Port Authority, Pacific Environment join forces to decarbonize ports

South Korea’s Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pacific Environment (PE), an international environmental organization, to accelerate the transformation of shipping ports into eco-friendly ones.

The MOU was signed during UPA’s ‘Shipping Port Decarbonization Networking Reception’ on April 17 during Singapore Maritime Week.

As informed, the two organizations agreed to actively cooperate to support the design and development of decarbonization policies for shipping ports in the Asia-Pacific region and the construction of green shipping routes.

In addition, the MOU will support policy analysis and development to solve climate issues, such as the use of clean energy in the maritime sector and the end of marine plastic pollution; promote eco-friendly fuel bunkering at Ulsan Port; develop safety standards and train port workers; and share best practices and jointly hold workshops in future cooperation areas.

On the occasion, Soon-yo Jeong, Vice President of Operations at the Ulsan Port Authority, presented the port’s strategy for building an eco-friendly energy logistics hub and sales of eco-friendly ship fuel supplies such as methanol and ammonia.

“With the adoption of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) carbon neutrality goal, decarbonization of shipping ports has become a necessity rather than an option,” Soon-yo Jeong commented.

“Ulsan Port will further strengthen port infrastructure development, system improvement, and mutual cooperation with stakeholders to promote the supply of carbon-free ship fuel such as green methanol and ammonia.”

In July 2023, Ulsan Port became the first in the world to supply green methanol to a containership and in February 2024, it provided green methanol fuel to the world’s first commercially operated ultra-large containership.

In addition, the port plans to build a clean hydrogen and ammonia terminal at Ulsan New Port by 2030 to store ammonia to produce and supply hydrogen.

A month ago, Ulsan Port became a member of DNV Korea’s decarbonization network, reaffirming its pledge to environmentally friendly shipping practices. The network unites technical executives and managers from various stakeholders in Korea’s maritime industry.