Hyundai Motor Group and Pyeongtaek City Collaborate to Advance CarbonNeutral Hydrogen Port Development

• Hyundai Motor Group signs a multilateral MoU with Pyeongtaek City and key stakeholders to develop carbon-neutral hydrogen port initiatives
• Kia and Hyundai Glovis to install hydrogen fuel cell-based power generators at Pyeongtaek Port
• The initiative will establish large-scale hydrogen infrastructure to decarbonize port
• Hydrogen applications to expand across port logistics, energy systems and clean transport solutions

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pyeongtaek City and key partners to develop carbon-neutral hydrogen port initiatives. The partnership aims to establish Korean model for port decarbonization and contribute to national carbon neutrality goals.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Company will oversee hydrogen-related business strategy, while Kia Corporation and Hyundai Glovis Co. will introduce and operate hydrogen fuel cell power generators at their facilities in Pyeongtaek Port. The initiative aims to lay the foundation for large-scale hydrogen use across port operations.

The plan includes leveraging the hydrogen production complex near Pyeongtaek Port to establish a stable hydrogen-based power supply system with a 15-km pipeline. The Group and partners will complement these efforts with joint technology development and demonstration projects for fuel cell generators at Kia and Hyundai Glovis facilities.

The Group and Pyeongtaek City will turn these plans into a comprehensive energy framework for port operations. This framework will ensure reliability through fuel cell power generation and an integrated hydrogen supply system. In parallel, they will expand hydrogen-powered transport vehicles and port equipment and install hydrogen refueling stations. 

Ken Ramirez, Head of Global Energy & Hydrogen Business Division at Hyundai Motor Group said: “Hyundai is honored to jointly drive this important collaboration  as a  public-private partnership aimed at delivering real-world hydrogen applications to achieve the goals of both, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ ‘Hydrogen Port’ policy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s ‘Hydrogen City’ policy. It represents the first domestic initiative to establish a broad hydrogen ecosystem for port decarbonization, leveraging Pyeongtaek Port’s advanced infrastructure.” 

Long-term plans for the project include developing hydrogen and ammonia bunkering facilities to support future zero-emission vessels and exploring the adoption of Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems to reduce emissions from berthed ships.

The Group and Pyeongtaek City aim to expand the green hydrogen supply chain through ammonia imports and broaden hydrogen-based operations to enhance stability and efficiency. Collaboration with Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Corporation (GPPC) and the Pyeongtaek Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries will focus on business expansion strategies and regulatory improvements.

Starting in November 2024, Hyundai Motor has piloted Korea’s first hydrogen-powered auto transport truck between its Asan plant and Pyeongtaek Port, underscoring the Group’s commitment to decarbonizing port logistics and building a comprehensive hydrogen mobility ecosystem.

Hyundai Motor Group aims to contribute to the development of Pyeongtaek’s hydrogen ecosystem by leveraging its group-wide hydrogen business capabilities through HTWO, the Group’s dedicated hydrogen brand and business platform. The Group continues to advance scalable hydrogen solutions across the comprehensive value chain while fostering collaboration, innovation, and investment with external partners to accelerate the transition to a sustainable hydrogen economy.