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Busan New Port to Become an Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal… Included in the Revised National Port Master Plan

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced today (July 20) that key port development projects consistently proposed by the City have been incorporated into the Revised Fourth National Port Master Plan (2026–2030), officially announced by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The National Port Master Plan is the highest-level statutory plan that establishes the nation's long-term direction and policy vision for port development. It is reviewed every five years and revised to reflect rapidly changing global shipping, logistics, and economic conditions.

The newly announced revision reflects the results of this five-year feasibility review and adjusts the master plan in consideration of evolving domestic and international conditions as well as future port demand.

The Revised Fourth National Port Master Plan (2026–2030) includes major facilities aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and safety of Busan Port, including the Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal at Busan New Port, marina mooring facilities at the Uam Pier Marina Business Center, the detached breakwater at Gamcheon Port, the outer harbor breakwater at North Port, and the detached breakwater at Yongho Pier.

In particular, Busan Metropolitan City proposed expanding the existing LNG bunkering terminal site at Busan New Port into an Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal capable of supplying not only low-carbon fuels but also zero-carbon fuels. This proposal has now been fully incorporated into the revised plan.

The previous plan was limited to supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG), a low-carbon fuel, making it insufficient to respond to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s increasingly stringent carbon emission regulations and the global shipping industry's transition toward zero-carbon operations.

Accordingly, since 2024, Busan Metropolitan City has continuously proposed to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries the development of an Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal capable of supplying not only zero-carbon fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen for vessels operating on Arctic shipping routes, but also low-carbon fuels including LNG and methanol.

In addition, key port infrastructure projects to enhance the safety of Busan Port have also been incorporated into the revised plan. Furthermore, the Busan New Port Mega Port project on the eastern side of Gadeokdo Island has been retained as a long-term development plan, which is expected to further enhance the competitiveness of Busan Port as the Mega Port project moves forward.

Busan Metropolitan City expects that the inclusion of the Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal in the revised plan will diversify marine bunkering fuels at Busan Port and further strengthen its competitiveness as a global maritime logistics hub in preparation for the Arctic shipping route era.

Once Arctic shipping routes become fully operational, Busan Port is expected to serve as a key hub for environmentally friendly maritime logistics connecting Europe and North America, creating significant economic value while also accelerating the growth of related industries such as eco-friendly ship repair and marine equipment manufacturing.

Cho Young-tae, Director General of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau at Busan Metropolitan City, stated, "The inclusion of the Eco-Friendly Integrated Energy Terminal in the revised National Port Master Plan is significant because it proactively secures a new growth engine for Busan Port amid the global transition toward decarbonization. Going forward, based on this revised plan, we will work closely with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Busan Port Authority (BPA), and other relevant organizations to ensure the successful implementation of projects to establish the integrated energy terminal and expand port infrastructure without disruption."