The figure came from 78 projects approved by 10 regional oceans and fisheries offices and five local governments, including solar power facilities, logistics facilities and seafood distribution centers.
Privately led port development projects allow companies or other private entities to build, expand, repair or maintain port facilities with approval from port authorities. The ministry said the system helps meet private-sector demand for port facilities while easing pressure on limited government budgets.
By facility type, low-carbon facilities such as solar power systems accounted for the largest number of approvals, with 21 projects. Auxiliary facilities, including security posts, fishery port amenities, parking lots and power supply infrastructure, also accounted for a significant share, with 14 approvals in each category.
The biggest project was a 67 billion won dried seaweed processing and distribution center planned by the Mokpo Fisheries Cooperative.
Other sizable projects included a 43.6 billion won seasoned seaweed processing plant by the Mokpo Orion Fisheries Cooperative, a 24 billion won warehouse at Pyeongtaek Port and an 18.4 billion won modernization project for a fish auction facility at Hallim Port on Jeju Island.
The ministry said demand remains strong for projects that add new functions to port areas, such as solar power facilities and upgraded seafood distribution centers, even as overall construction investment has stayed weak since 2021.
“We will continue to seek support measures so that private investors can face lower entry barriers and actual users can secure port facilities on time, improving their investment competitiveness,” Gong Du-pyo, director general of the ministry’s port bureau, said.
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