Busan Port Authority discusses cooperation with Ningbo Zhoushan Port

The Busan Port Authority said Wednesday that it met with Zhu Miao, chairman of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, who visited Busan on Monday, to discuss cooperation for the joint development of the two ports.

The meeting brought together the top executives of both ports for the second time since BPA President Song Sang-geun visited Ningbo, China, in May. The two sides agreed to move beyond existing friendly exchanges and expand concrete, practical cooperation projects that can lead to tangible improvements in port operations and shipping services.

The two sides identified five key areas for cooperation: expanding cargo volume between the two ports, linking vessel arrival and departure data with port operations data, port automation, digital transformation and eco-friendly port development.

They agreed to advance cooperation in port call optimization and data sharing — using vessel traffic information and port data to improve vessel punctuality and terminal operating efficiency. They also agreed to broaden exchanges in smart port development and environmental sustainability.

The two ports will share technology and operational experience accumulated in building and running digital port platforms, while continuing to explore cooperation in carbon neutrality measures, including alternative maritime power supply systems. They also agreed to establish a standing communication framework to discuss major cooperation initiatives on a mutual-benefit basis.

"Busan Port and Ningbo Zhoushan Port will work together to deliver tangible results, focusing on shared challenges such as digital transformation and eco-friendly port development," BPA President Song said.

Earlier, the Busan Port Authority and Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group had discussed potential cooperation in strengthening Northeast Asian logistics networks, improving port operational efficiency, advancing environmental and carbon neutrality measures, transitioning to smart ports, and port call optimization at the Ningbo Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum held in Ningbo in May.