By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Hyundai Motor Group announced a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Nov. 11 with Pyeongtaek City and key partners to develop carbon-neutral hydrogen port initiatives. The partnership aims to establish Korean model for port decarbonization and contribute to national carbon neutrality goals.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Company will oversee hydrogen-related business strategy, while Kia Corporation and Hyundai Glovis Co. will introduce and operate hydrogen fuel cell power generators at their facilities in Pyeongtaek Port. The initiative aims to lay the foundation for large-scale hydrogen use across port operations.

The plan includes leveraging the hydrogen production complex near Pyeongtaek Port to establish a stable hydrogen-based power supply system with a 15-km pipeline. The Group and partners will complement these efforts with joint technology development and demonstration projects for fuel cell generators at Kia and Hyundai Glovis facilities.

The Group and Pyeongtaek City will turn these plans into a comprehensive energy framework for port operations. This framework will ensure reliability through fuel cell power generation and an integrated hydrogen supply system. In parallel, they will expand hydrogen-powered transport vehicles and port equipment and install hydrogen refueling stations.

Ken Ramirez, Head of Global Energy & Hydrogen Business Division at Hyundai Motor Group said: “Hyundai is honored to jointly drive this important collaboration as a public-private partnership aimed at delivering real-world hydrogen applications to achieve the goals of both the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ ‘Hydrogen Port’ policy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s ‘Hydrogen City’ policy. It represents the first domestic initiative to establish a broad hydrogen ecosystem for port decarbonization, leveraging Pyeongtaek Port’s advanced infrastructure.”

Long-term plans for the project include developing hydrogen and ammonia bunkering facilities to support future zero-emission vessels and exploring the adoption of Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems to reduce emissions from berthed ships.