DP World is well-known among Korean golf fans as the sponsor of the leading men’s professional golf tour in Europe, but few are aware that the Dubai-based ports operator is doing business in Korea.
The largest logistics firm in the Middle East and Africa operates the Pusan Newport Company (PNC) terminal, one of the highest-performing ports in Asia and the largest in the Port of Busan.
Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director of DP World Asia Pacific, told The Korea Times in a recent interview that the terminal will implement the first commercial use of BoxBay, the company’s fully automated storage system, which will enhance service efficiency and delivery for its customers.
“With PNC already one of the highest-performing container terminals in Asia, BoxBay’s addition will boost operational efficiency even further and improve overall truck-servicing time by 20 percent and eliminate 350,000 unproductive container moves each year,” he said. “We remain open to opportunities to contribute to the wider discussion on how we can help foster trade connectivity and economic growth for the country.”
In 2020, DP World also acquired a majority stake in UNICO Logistics, a Korean multimodal transport specialist active across 20 markets.
Hilton attributed DP World’s rapid expansion in the Korean market to the country’s strong and strategic position in international trade.
“Situated at the crossroads of Northeast Asia, Korea serves as a gateway to major economies such as China and Japan,” he said. “Korea’s strong manufacturing sector is another factor contributing to its prominence in global trade. The country is globally recognized for its high-quality products, particularly in industries such as ICT, electronics, automotives, shipbuilding and petrochemicals.”
He expects Korea to play a key role in driving the future of trade and logistics, as the country is already a leader in the development of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics.
Due to the importance of the Korean market, DP World has also held various golf events for local clients and communities.
“DP World Tournament, which concluded in Korea in April this year, sees the championships returning to the country for the first time in over a decade,” Hilton said. “The successful event demonstrates not just our commitment to grow the game of golf globally, but the value we place in Korea as a key market from which cargo moves to the rest of the world.”
Besides the tournament, the company hosted a local children’s golf academy for 15 children, inviting their parents and coaches to the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon for an once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a DP World Tour event.
“As the world’s third-largest market for golf, Korea is important to our commitment to invest in long-term strategic growth that will allow the tour to thrive as a truly global sporting competition and connect with fans and audiences around the world,” Hilton said.
Source: The Korea Times