1. Study Objectives and Method

￮ Ports in Jeollabuk-do are experiencing increased cargo volume at the port of Gunsan, and, thus, require a better port operation strategy for strengthening service. It is necessary to establish a more efficient operation strategy for Saemangeum’s new port, which will partially open in 2026.

￮ The purpose of the study is to design methods for specializing port logistics services by taking the supply chain structure of the port, as well as specialization industries and future industrial trends, into consideration and make suggestions for Jeollabuk-do’s two-port system of the port of Gunsan and the new port in Saemangeum.

￮ The study further aims to contribute to the improvement of the competitiveness of port logistics services and the development of local industries, as well as to create a virtuous cycle for the local economy by establishing a front-to-back industrial ecosystem of a locally specialized industry.

￮ The study methods include statistical analysis, origin destination analysis, literature review, case studies, in-depth interview of person in charge, and expert advice.

2. Conclusion and Policy Suggestion

￮ Specialization methods of Jeollabuk-do port logistics services can be summarized as follows.

￮ First, it is advisable to provide specialized logistics services, including silo logistics, which have secured the existing competitiveness, as well as logistics for the automobile industry, energy industry and timber industry to increase the potential of the further development of Jeollabuk-do’s port-based industry by establishing a front-to-back industrial ecosystem.

￮ Second, it is advisable to discover key sustainable port-based industries for the future, such as non-metropolitan area logistics hubs for maritime express cargo, logistics centers for the national food cold chain, as well as passenger and cruise logistics.

￮ Third, diverse policy projects need to be planned and implemented to improve the existing competitiveness and discover new industries. Therefore, decision-making based on strategic logistics viewpoints and Jeollabuk-do’s two-port strategy are needed.

￮ If such achievements are reflected in Jeollabuk-do’s port logistics policy, a stable growth of the Gunsan port-based industry and an early vitalization of Saemangeum’s new port can be expected. Furthermore, thanks to the ecosystem of specialized development of Jeollabuk-do’s port-based industries, a virtuous cycle of job creation and a population influx is expected.

￮ Based on the results of the study, the suggestions for the development of Jeollabuk-do’s port logistics industry and efficient policy projects are as follows.

￮ First, in order to strengthen the safety and expertise of Jeollabuk-do’s port logistics services, it is advised to increase the steadiness and effectiveness of the policy project.

- A provision of safe port services should be possible by efficiently promoting the dredging construction of the port of Gunsan. In addition, the effectiveness of projects should be strengthened, such as the removal of rocks at pier 5 and the creation of a dredged soil field.

- It is necessary to improve the results of existing policy projects by establishing a Jeollabuk-do Port Logistics Policy Committee and a Future Port Logistics Research Society.

￮ Second, focusing on the areas of high competitiveness within the port logistics industry in Jeollabuk-do, supporting the advancement of logistics services is necessary.

 - Since diverse front-to-back industries that utilize imported materials processed at a large scale at the port of Gunsan currently experience the effects of cost cuts and cluster effects, it is advisable to encourage moving to Jeollabuk-do and continuously support specialized logistics services and policy.

- It is also advisable to improve the capacity to respond to the economic crisis of local industries by nurturing industries that are advantageous for utilizing Jeollabuk-do’s industrial complex and port infrastructure as the key local industries.

￮ Third, all cargo vessels passing through the port have obligations to report their presence under the current law. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a decision-making system for strategic logistics by taking advantage of this obligation.

- It is necessary to conduct a big data analysis of port logistics to strengthen the port’s capacity to respond to crises of local specialization industries by respecting the autonomy of private enterprises’ decision-making.

- It is also advisable to identify the characteristics of local industries by analyzing big data of Jeollabuk-do’s port logistics. Furthermore, by discovering new projects from diverse viewpoints and providing customized services for companies that have moved into the province, Jeollabuk-do’s specialized industries’ competitive advantages will be created and maintained.