(SEOUL=Newsis News) The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries revealed April 13 its first Marine Industry Cluster Master Plan (2017-2021) aimed to promote the marine industry by making use of unused harbor facilities.
Marine industry clusters are areas centered around inactive harbor facilities, and designated by the maritime minister to foster marine and related industries directly and through convergence with other industries.
In May 2016, the ministry enacted the Special Act on the Designation and Cultivation of Marine Industry Clusters to utilize idle harbor facilities in the most effective way possible, and in accordance with the Article 6 of the Act, a detailed 5-year plan was established for the systematic development of marine industry clusters.
The plan covers specific harbors that qualify for priority designation as marine industry clusters, key industries in consideration of the particular characteristics of each harbor, and plans for future promotion.
Once designated as a marine industry cluster, harbor facilities (piers) being used for simple storage purposes can be renovated into research, manufacturing, and distribution centers for marine-related businesses.
According to a ministry source, "many of the inactive piers are ideal locations to start marine businesses that need facilities such as for (un)loading, and manufacturing leisure boats," adding "the renovation will cost a traction of what is needed to build an entirely new cluster, as it makes significant use of existing facilities."
Based on the master plan, the Uam Pier at Busan Port, the Jumgma General Pier and 1st stage container terminals (3rd, 4th berths) at Gwangyang Port are slated as priority designation areas.
The largely unused Uam Pier at Busan Port and Jumgma General Pier at Gwangyang Port can be immediately designated as prospective Marine Industry Clusters, while Gwangyang's container terminals may also qualify depending on the degree to which they remain inactive.
As their industrial focus, Busan Port has decided on manufacturing marine leisure boats and advanced parts, in consideration of the city's key industries, while Gwangyang Port will strive to be a test bed for shipping and logistics supported by local policies to promote R&D.
A total of 43.3 billion will be spent on building necessary facilities at the the two piers, in addition to research facilities, offices and product display venues, facilitating convergence with other sectors, such as IT, and encouraging businesses in related industries upstream and downstream the value chain to also relocate to the clusters.
According to Eom Ki-Doo, head of the ministry's shipping and logistics bureau, "the Marine Industry Cluster Master Plan has opened another option to utilize inactive harbors, as opposed to redevelopment, which would require a colossal financial investment," adding, "the ministry will do its best to have final drafts of the development plans by the end of the year and finalize official designation of the piers based on the master plan, as well as provide any additional support necessary to help the clusters settle down as soon as possible,
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Source: Newsis News (Apr. 13, 2017)