Busan Port Authority holds an opening ceremony for its Singapore branch at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore on Tuesday. [Busan Port Authority]
Busan Port Authority holds an opening ceremony for its Singapore branch at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore on Tuesday. [Busan Port Authority]

Busan Port Authority (BPA) held an opening ceremony for its Singapore branch at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay on Tuesday.

The launch marks the authority's formal push to strengthen its global network and expand overseas operations across Southeast Asia.

The event drew about 100 officials and industry representatives from domestic and international shipping, port and logistics companies. Attendees included BPA President Song Sang-geun, Kim Jun-min, charge d'affaires at the South Korean Embassy in Singapore, Tan Hoe Soon, deputy chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Jonathan Goldner, CEO for Asia and the Middle East at APM Terminals, Lim Chin Chuan, CEO for Northeast Asia at PSA International, and Hwang Ju-seop, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (KOCHAM).

BPA relocated its Southeast Asia representative office from Indonesia to Singapore and established a local branch to respond to the restructuring of global supply chains, the growth of the ASEAN market, and the need for stronger on-the-ground capabilities in the region.

Singapore is a major global transshipment hub and home to the Asian regional headquarters of leading international shipping lines and logistics companies.

Operating from Singapore, BPA plans to build a standing network with key institutions including the MPA and PSA International, as well as global shipping lines and logistics firms, while stepping up overseas project development and marketing for Busan Port.

The authority will also support ongoing overseas projects in Indonesia and Vietnam, identify new port and logistics opportunities across ASEAN, and expand efforts to generate additional cargo volume at Busan Port by targeting global shipping lines and cargo owners.

"The opening of the Singapore branch is a new starting point for more closely connecting the port and logistics industries of Busan, Singapore and Southeast Asia," BPA President Song said.


alsgp9737@heraldcorp.com