During Singapore Maritime Week, the Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pacific Environment (PE), an international environmental organization, to accelerate the transition of shipping ports into eco-friendly facilities.
The agreement signing took place at UPA’s ‘Shipping Port Decarbonization Networking Reception’ on 17 April. The reception attracted over 32 organizations, including prominent port officials, shipping lines, and environmental non-profit bodies from various countries around the world.
At the signing ceremony, Soon-yo Jeong, vice president of Operations at Ulsan Port Authority, and Shannon Wright, executive director of Pacific Environment, formalized the ‘Agreement to Accelerate the Transition to Green Shipping Ports’.
Under this agreement, both organizations will collaborate in shaping and implementing decarbonization policies for shipping ports in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as establishing green shipping routes.
Furthermore, they committed to conducting policy analysis and development to address climate issues such as promoting the use of clean energy in the maritime sector and combating marine plastic pollution.
The deal also includes initiatives to promote eco-friendly fuel bunkering at Ulsan Port in South Korea, develop safety standards, provide training for port workers and facilitate the exchange of best practices through joint workshops.
During the event, Soon-yo Jeong showcased Ulsan Port’s strategy for establishing an eco-friendly energy logistics hub and highlighted the sale of eco-friendly ship fuel supplies such as methanol and ammonia, receiving positive feedback from attendees.
“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. 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,” stated Soon-yo Jeong.
In July 2023, Ulsan Port achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s first port to provide green methanol to a container ship. Subsequently, in February 2024, it achieved another significant feat by successfully delivering green methanol fuel to the world’s first commercially operated ultra-large container ship, with a capacity of 16,200 TEUs. Furthermore, the port has outlined plans to construct a clean hydrogen and ammonia terminal at Ulsan New Port by 2030. This terminal will serve as a storage facility for ammonia, facilitating its production and distribution of hydrogen.
