Busan Port Authority is actively promoting initiatives to enhance the sustainability of the port through the discovery of marine startups, development of renewable energy, and ecosystem conservation.
The authority is nurturing new businesses in the shipping, port, and logistics sectors through a marine startup idea contest, which closes for applications on November 16. Additionally, it has signed a joint development agreement with Korea Southern Power to establish a carbon-neutral foundation for the port.
Efforts are also underway to build a cooperative system for biodiversity conservation and to engage terminal operators in community contribution activities.
Busan Port Authority and Korea Marine Promotion Corporation are jointly recruiting participants for the '2026 Marine Startup Idea Contest Spark-up 1876' in collaboration with Busan City.
The application deadline is November 16 at 6 PM. The contest is open to prospective entrepreneurs and those who have been in business for less than a year, with individuals or teams of up to four allowed to participate. There are no restrictions based on residence or affiliation.
The contest categories are divided into port & logistics and shipping & vessels. Ideas related to port operations, cargo handling, storage & delivery, and logistics efficiency are sought in the port & logistics category, while the shipping & vessels category welcomes ideas on maritime transport, shipping services & finance, and eco-friendly, safe, and digital vessels.
A panel of external experts will evaluate submissions based on creativity, business viability, and feasibility. After an initial document review, around 10 teams will be selected for the final presentation evaluation on November 27, where four winning teams will be chosen.
A total prize pool of 10 million won will be awarded, with 3 million won for the best team in each category and 2 million won for the runner-up. Winning teams will receive mentoring for refining their business ideas and support for commercialization, as well as opportunities to join the '1876 BUSAN' startup support platform.
Interested participants can submit the designated application form and business idea proposal on the contest registration page.
Collaboration among public institutions is also underway for energy transition at Busan Port. On November 3, Busan Port Authority signed a 'Joint Development Agreement for Renewable Energy to Achieve Carbon Neutrality at Busan Port' with Korea Southern Power.
This agreement aims to utilize existing infrastructure at Busan Port to identify renewable energy projects and establish a port-based RE100 business model that meets the energy demands of the port with eco-friendly power.
Busan Port Authority will provide port land for wind power facilities and support power grid connections, while Korea Southern Power will conduct feasibility analyses. The two organizations plan to prioritize onshore wind development before expanding their collaboration to offshore wind, solar energy, and energy storage systems (ESS).
Busan Port, which houses a concentration of vessels, cargo handling equipment, and logistics facilities, has significant energy demands. Establishing a renewable energy production base will help reduce carbon emissions during port operations and support tenant companies in achieving RE100 compliance.
On November 4, Busan Port Authority joined the 'Business and Biodiversity Platform (BBBP)' to broaden its collaborative efforts for ecosystem conservation at the port. BBBP is a platform established in 2016 by the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Business Council for Sustainable Development (KBCSD), and the Korea Bio Association to support corporate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
Busan Port Authority has previously engaged in environmental cleanup activities, such as removing invasive species and using effective microorganisms (EM) for water quality improvement at the North Port waterfront park and major port facilities. Through this new membership, the authority aims to secure specialized information related to biodiversity and strengthen cooperation with relevant organizations.
Community contribution activities have also seen participation from terminal operators at Busan Port. On November 5, Busan Port Authority conducted a meal service for vulnerable community members at the Busan Briquette Bank's meal-sharing center.
This initiative followed the donation of 3.43 million won from sales at the '2026 Anabada Market (Reshare Market),' co-hosted by Busan Port Authority and nine terminal operators.
The donation will support the Busan Briquette Bank's communal meal project. Following a meal service for about 70 veterans and their families on October 27, a second meal service for approximately 180 vulnerable individuals was conducted on November 5, benefiting a total of over 250 people.
Around 20 employees from Busan Port Authority and Shinseondae Gamman Terminal, as well as Korea Hutchison Terminal, participated in food preparation, cooking, serving, and cleaning. Environmental cleanup activities were also carried out at the free laundry service operated by Busan Briquette Bank for vulnerable community members.
Song Sang-geun, President of Busan Port Authority, stated, "It is particularly meaningful that the profits generated from our social contribution activities are being returned to the community, and that employees from the Busan Port community actively participated in volunteer work. We will continue to engage in activities that benefit the local community in collaboration with terminal operators at Busan Port."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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