Joshua Kwon, President of PNC (DP World Busan Terminal), began his professional career at Hanjin Shipping, holding various positions at the headquarters in Seoul as well as at the regional headquarters in Singapore, where he was responsible for sales in the region. From there, he moved on to lead sales, marketing, and planning at SM Lines.
Mr. Kwon has firsthand technological insights, having served as CMO at ValuelinkU, until he joined the executive team at PNC in 2022, where he has been CEO since January 2024.
How has the Port of Busan become a strategic logistics partner for global trade amid the reconfiguration of global supply chains?
As one of the major terminals within the Port of Busan, we’ve witnessed first-hand how the port has adapted to shifting trade dynamics. Global supply chains are being restructured, and Busan has responded by strengthening its connectivity, investing in smart infrastructure, and enhancing its role as a transshipment hub in Northeast Asia.
This year, Busan is expected to reach a record 25 million TEUs, reflecting not only recovery but also strategic growth in challenging conditions. The opening of Korea’s first fully automated terminal and the successful relocation of operations from the North Port without interrupting logistics are strong signals of resilience and forward planning.
At PNC, we align closely with this broader vision. Our focus has been on improving service reliability through automation, AI-driven yard planning, and close coordination with global shipping alliances. What makes Busan truly resilient in today’s disrupted environment is its ability not just to react to challenges, but to evolve and lead the way forward.
What opportunities does PNC offer to European and Latin American exporters seeking access to Asian markets beyond South Korea?
PNC, as the largest terminal in the Port of Busan and a subsidiary of DP World, offers direct access into Asia’s key markets through one of the most connected ports in the region. For European and Latin American exporters, PNC provides a high-frequency gateway to Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia, supported by Busan’s robust network.
As part of DP World’s end-to-end global logistics strategy, PNC offers far more than port access. The upcoming DP World Busan Logistics Center (BLC), opening in 2026, will further strengthen this position. Located within the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone (BJFEZ), BLC is being built on 75,000 m² of land and is expected to process nearly 80,000 TEUs annually by 2028. The center will offer bonded warehousing and value-added. Its integration with PNC terminal operations and DP World’s global logistics ecosystem enables seamless end-to-end cargo movement, reducing lead times and offering flexibility in routing.
Importantly, operations at the BLC will be integrated with PNC, Korea’s largest container terminal, and UNICO Logistics, DP World’s Korea-based multimodal and rail freight operator with networks extending into Central Asia and Europe. This integration enables true end-to-end cargo visibility.
In short, PNC gives customers a strategic entry point into Asia, while leveraging DP World’s broader multimodal capabilities and digital tools to simplify complex supply chains. Through this integrated ecosystem, PNC provides not only port efficiency but also strategic access and value chain control across the Asia-Pacific.
Which sectors benefit the most from the dynamism of the Port of Busan and its intercontinental connectivity?
The Port of Busan’s scale and global reach continue to make it an essential logistics hub for Korea’s export-driven industries. With strong terminal capabilities and extensive trade networks, the port provides stable and efficient services across a broad range of sectors.
Consumer electronics and industrial components, which are frequently shipped to Southeast Asian production bases and major consumption markets like Europe and Latin America, benefit from the port’s reliable connections and operational speed. While finished semiconductors are typically transported by air, Busan plays a vital role in handling semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, and other high-tech cargo that require careful coordination.
The port is also central to the export of refined petroleum, petrochemicals, steel products, and industrial machinery, all of which form the backbone of Korea’s heavy industries. For perishable goods like seafood and fresh produce, Busan’s cold-chain facilities help preserve product quality during export, particularly to neighboring countries and North America.
In addition, Busan’s investments in digitalization, such as smart yard planning and intelligent gate systems, have created new opportunities for logistics and technology firms, reinforcing the port’s position as a leader in smart terminal innovation.
At PNC, we operate with the flexibility to support the specific needs of each industry. We provide temperature-controlled handling for cold-chain cargo, reduce container dwell times for time-sensitive shipments, and optimize berth assignments for heavy or oversized equipment. The upcoming DP World Busan Logistics Center will further strengthen our inland connectivity and offer additional services such as packaging, assembly, and inventory staging. This facility will enhance our ability to support a wide range of industrial customers both upstream and downstream of the port.
What role do bilateral trade agreements between South Korea and Latin American countries play in strengthening flows through PNC?
Bilateral trade agreements between South Korea and countries like Chile, Peru, and Colombia have played an important role in deepening economic ties across the Pacific. By reducing tariffs and simplifying customs processes, these FTAs have made it easier for containerized goods to move more freely between the two regions.
At PNC, we’ve seen how this has translated into increased volumes and stronger demand from Latin American customers. Located in Busan New Port and operated by DP World, we are strategically positioned to serve both Korea and Northeast Asia as a transshipment gateway.
Our strong integration with global shipping alliances and consistent performance have made us a preferred partner for Latin American exporters.
Beyond Korea, DP World is also actively investing in Latin America’s logistics infrastructure. In Peru, the company has expanded terminal capacity in Callao by a significant margin while introducing sustainable features such as electric charging facilities. In Ecuador, efforts include extending the berth at Posorja and enhancing trade capabilities through a connected Special Economic Zone—reinforcing DP World’s commitment to strengthening trade routes and operational excellence in the region.
Taken together, these developments are helping to build a more resilient and efficient logistics bridge between Northeast Asia and Latin America.
How is the Port of Busan addressing global logistics challenges to ensure efficient routes to Europe and Latin America?
As global logistics become increasingly complex with geopolitical shifts, rising costs, and climate-related disruptions, the Port of Busan continues to evolve as a reliable and adaptive hub. Its extensive transshipment network and strategic location in Northeast Asia make it well suited to serve long-haul routes connecting Asia with Europe and Latin America.
What stands out is Busan’s commitment to infrastructure resilience and service continuity. The recent addition of Korea’s first fully automated terminal, as well as investments in smart port systems, has enabled the port to manage large volumes while maintaining operational stability even in volatile conditions. The upcoming Gadeok International Airport, with its potential for sea-air cargo integration, is another step toward building multimodal corridors that offer flexibility and speed across continents.
At PNC, we contribute to this ecosystem by focusing on consistency and integration. Our investments in advanced technologies allow us to coordinate closely with shipping lines to maintain service reliability, especially for time-sensitive or long-distance cargo flows. In tandem with Busan’s growing hinterland and transshipment capabilities, we see this as part of a broader effort to provide diversified and dependable routing options in today’s disrupted supply chain environment.
What sustainability and digitalization initiatives at PNC could serve as a model for Latin American ports in their modernization process?
PNC’s ongoing sustainability and digitalization efforts offer a concrete model for Latin American ports seeking to modernize infrastructure while addressing environmental and operational challenges.
At PNC, we firmly believe that digitalization is not just about automation. It’s about creating a smarter, safer, and more sustainable terminal environment. One example is our Remote QC system, which has helped us improve crane productivity. By streamlining operations, we’ve been able to reduce CO₂ emissions through more efficient handling, while also creating a safer and more comfortable working environment for our operators.
We’re also making advances in yard operations. For instance, our NCOS Yard Safe system digitally simulates container stack stability, which helps reduce unnecessary container moves during manual flattening processes. That means fewer safety risks and much greater yard efficiency.
And when it comes to berth operations, we’ve introduced an Online Mooring Analysis tool that’s been incredibly helpful. It takes into account not just vessel specs and berth layout, but also container load and real-time weather data to recommend the safest and most efficient mooring plan. This has allowed us to maximize berth utilization and enhance operational safety across the board.
On the environmental front, we’re taking meaningful steps to decarbonize our operations. For instance, we’ve already transitioned all patrol vehicles to electric models. These upgrades are part of our broader shift toward low-emission terminal operations.
We’ve also adopted predictive systems to reduce energy waste. Our NCOS Weather Forecast system allows us to anticipate gusts and adverse conditions, which helps minimize unnecessary ARMG shuffle and electricity consumption.
In addition, we’re investing in renewable energy and efficiency. Solar panels have been installed on our facilities to generate clean power on-site, and we’ve converted all yard lighting to LED, which significantly reduces energy usage during night operations. These may seem like small changes, but together, they’re making a real difference in our carbon footprint.
We see these efforts as a meaningful combination of operational intelligence and environmental innovation. Rather than treating digitalization and sustainability as separate goals, we’ve approached them as mutually reinforcing elements that support long-term resilience and smarter terminal development.
Of course, each port faces its own unique circumstances, but if any part of our experience can offer ideas or inspiration, we’d be happy to share and learn together. That’s the spirit we believe drives global progress in this industry.
