In order to improve the competitiveness of ports, explain to the world the government’s policies and expectations from the industry in the future, and respond to the expectations of the public and the industry, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. (TIPC) held the two forums “Pioneering Shipping and “Quality Ports” in November. The MPB took the lead with the “Pioneering Shipping” forum, held physically and virtually at the Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel on Nov. 10. People from the government, industry, academia, and research institutions at home and abroad were invited, and over 300 people participated both in person and online. Chi Wen-Jong, Administrative Deputy Minister of the MOTC, delivered a speech in person, promising to stay ahead of international maritime transport trends and build a solid foundation in Taiwan to facilitate global expansion, thereby heralding in a bright future for shipping.
Administrative Deputy Minister Chi said in his speech that Taiwan’s shipping industry fills the nation with pride as it plays an important role on the international stage. Although the global economy has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 and various industries have seen a downturn, Taiwan’s imports and exports have been able to remain stable and continue to grow. This is all thanks to the full support and assistance of Taiwanese ocean carriers. Administrative Deputy Minister Chi also mentioned that under the influence of the pandemic and the US-China trade war, the global supply chain has also undergone structural changes. In addition, the investment in new ship construction by shipping companies and the subsequent economic stage, the global target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the green shipping trend driven by the recent rise in oil prices are all topics worthy of discussion and response. Through this forum, the MPB and the maritime industry are able to brainstorm together and discern future opportunities and challenges, as to grow stronger together.
Chen Pin-Chuan, Deputy Director-General of the MPB, said that the shipping industry is currently experiencing a once-in-a-century boom, and Taiwan’s shipping industry is once again demonstrating its prowess. However, due to the pandemic, there are crises such as shipping schedule delays, supply chain chaos, and crew replacement difficulties. On the other hand, green shipping is still riding a wave of popularity, and the International Maritime Organization, the European Union, and the United Nations are all devoted to climate change response. These were also discussed in the three main themes of the forum today. Moreover, shipping and port development are closely related: shipping development drives port development, and vice versa. The MPB and the TIPC held a dual forum to answer the question “How can shipping and port development help each other achieve mutual prosperity?” The comprehensive exchanges of today’s “Pioneering Shipping” forum will serve as an important reference for shipping policies and a basis for the TIPC’s “Quality Ports” forum next week, further invigorating Taiwan’s maritime and port industry growth.
Bronson Hsieh, former Chairperson of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, was invited to give a speech on the topic of “The Past and the Future of Taiwan's Maritime and Port Industry” for this forum. MOTC Administrative Deputy Minister Chi Wen-Jong, MPB Director-General Yeh Hsieh-Long, and CR Classification Society Chairman Hsieh Wei-Chun were invited to be the respective moderators for the sessions on the topics “Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Shipping Market”, “Connections and Prospects between Taiwanese Ocean Carriers and the Global Shipping Market”, and “Trends of Global Green Shipping and Smart Ship Development”. The guest speakers and panelists included Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation Chairperson Cheng Chen-Mount and President Patrick Tu; Evergreen Marine Vice President Su Teng-Huan and Vice President of the Ship Division Huang Chung-Jung; Wan Hai Lines President Hsieh Fu-Lung; U-Ming Marine Transport President Wang Shu-Chi; T.S. Lines President Tu Hung-Lin; CR Classification Society CEO Cheng Chih-Wen; Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center CEO Chou Shean-Kwang; National Taiwan Ocean University Professor Younger Wu; National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) Professor Tai Hui-Huang; NKUST’s Center for International Maritime Convention Studies CEO Solomon Chen; and other academic and industry representatives.
In the “Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Shipping Market” session, the guest panelists suggested that in the face of fierce competition from the load of large cargo ships, it is necessary to continuously improve intelligent management and freight solicitation skills, and to establish close cooperation and partnerships with ports to strengthen resilience of the overall supply chain. In the “Connections and Prospects between Taiwanese Ocean Carriers and the Global Shipping Market” session, it was suggested that the relevant government agencies should work together with carriers to consider how to support and promote development via regulatory amendments, LNG fleet operations and management, crew training, ship maintenance, and other aspects. As for the “Trends of Global Green Shipping and Smart Ship Development” session, in order to respond to the international carbon reduction target, it was suggested that shipping and port-related authorities should also pay attention to market development, and propose corresponding policies and measures in a timely manner before international regulations come into effect.
Taiwan is a maritime nation. Its shipping industry has a pivotal position in the world. The MPB will continue to upgrade the shipping industry in the future, with a view to promote the development of domestic maritime transport and build a solid foundation in Taiwan to facilitate global expansion, thereby heralding in a bright future for shipping!
Contact person: Huang, Ling-Yuh, Section Chief, Planning Division
Contact number: +886-2-89782790
