The ports of Barcelona and Busan have enhanced their logistics alliance, opening a new Korean logistics platform at the Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL) of the Spanish port.
The two partners have also signed an agreement for starting up the company that will manage and promote this platform.
In particular, the presidents of the two ports, Kang Joon suk (Busan) and Damià Calvet (Barcelona) have agreed to set up the company Business-to-Business (B2B) Logistics Busan & Barcelona hub S.L., which will manage and promote the stable logistics platform for Korean companies in Barcelona.
The Port of Busan holds a 51% stake in the company, while the Port of Barcelona holds the remaining 49%, according to a statement.
Furthermore, B2B Logistics Busan & Barcelona hub S.L., which is already in operation, will be presided over by Boo-Won Kang, the Vice President of Busan Port, and the executive management will be conducted by the Head of Strategy of the Port of Barcelona, Jordi Torrent.
The Catalan and Korean delegations have also officially opened the warehouse in which this logistics platform will operate. The facility, occupying an 8,920 m2 and located within the ZAL of Barcelona, is anticipated to facilitate the Spanish Port's role as the entry point for Korean goods into southern Europe and will constitute a distribution centre for the Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian markets.
So far, two Korean freight forwarders with a significant international presence and numerous industrial companies in the Asian country have expressed their interest in starting up operations in Barcelona.
"From today Catalonia and Korea are closer," highlighted Damià Calvet, who added, "The ports of Busan and Barcelona have launched a collaboration to bring the Korean economy closer to Europe through our port."
He also commented, "Asia is our reference market and represents more than 50% of the exports and imports that pass through the Port of Barcelona. The Korean economy is eminently technological, and we want to focus on capturing these types of goods."
