Global initiatives and challenges around port decarbonisation were a central topic at a major forum in Busan, South Korea last week, and IAPH was on hand to provide a global perspective. Managing director Patrick Verhoeven gave a keynote speech on the topic (which can be viewed here) at the 2025 International Forum on Smart Port Technology and Industry, held on July 3. Patrick was then joined by secretary general Masahiko Furuichi for a panel discussion on the topic that also included Sang-Keun Song, CEO and president of Busan Port Authority and Weimin Ren, director of transport division at UNESCAP with moderation by Professor Young-Tae Chang, emeritus professor at Inha University. Masaharu Shinohara (IAPH VP for Asia, South/West, East & Middle East) and executive officer at Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation delivered welcome remarks on behalf of IAPH at the Forum, which was jointly organised by the Korea Maritime Institute and IAPH. At the event South Korea’s Smart Mega-Port Policy was announced, which included plans to automate Busan Port’s Jinhae New Port by 2030. The forum also discussed the importance of port digitalization, AI utilization for efficiency, and decarbonization; international initiatives such as IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program were also highlighted. Case studies on the implementation of advanced technologies like digital twins and automated straddle carriers were shared, demonstrating the growing importance of data-driven decision-making in future port operations. The program and presentation can be viewed in the member’s area of the IAPH site.
