The event was attended by MOTC Deputy Minister Kuo-shian Lin, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-mai Chen, the MOTC Maritime Port Bureau, CIQS officials, representatives of port industry associations and businesses, and other VIP guests. Also, two signing ceremonies were held during the event, including TIPC and Ocean Affairs Council’s signing of an MOU on the joint advancement of marine conservation and sustainable ESG practices and Port of Taichung and Fengmiao Wind Power Generation Co., Ltd.’s signing of a contract for the lease and development of port land. These agreements show TIPC’s commitment to business growth, environmental conservation, and government energy transition goals. The event also provided a platform to officially announce the recipients of the 2024 Golden Vessel Award recipients and thank them for their exceptional support of TIPC port group excellence.

In his welcoming remarks, Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-mai Chen thanked TIPC for its strong support of the many municipal art, cultural, and tourism events held at Port of Kaohsiung. He remarked that such events attract significant numbers of domestic and international tourists each year, and added that the new Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal has attracted increasing numbers of international cruise ships to call at the port. Moreover, he continued, in line with net zero and digital transformation policies, his administration has been working closely with TIPC to promote the Asia New Bay Area Plan 2.0 in hopes of establishing Kaohsiung City as a future hub of AI development and laying the groundwork for the city’s continued, “magnificent” transformation.

MOTC Deputy Minister Kuo-shian Lin congratulated TIPC on hitting a new record pretax profit of NT$9.95 billion in 2024 and expressed hope the company will top NT$10 billion this year. He noted that in all seven international commercial ports it administers, TIPC must work closely with local government agencies and administrations to promote and optimize port-city development. With regard to Port of Kaohsiung, the future completion of renovation work at Container Terminals 3 and 5 and the opening of national Freeway No. 7 are expected to greatly streamline container handling and transport operations and reduce container traffic and congestion on local roadways. MOTC, the Deputy Minister related, firmly supports the continued development of Taiwan’s international commercial ports and will work closely with TIPC and the Maritime Port Bureau to further expand their operations and improve related infrastructures to achieve sustainable development in Taiwan’s domestic shipping industry.

TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee stated the record-breaking NT$22.8 billion in operating income reported by his company in 2024 could not have been achieved without the strong support and cooperation of MOTC officials, the Kaohsiung City Government, CIQS agencies, and port businesses. It was for this reason that TIPC chose to hold the 2024 Golden Vessel Award ceremony during TIPC’s 13^th anniversary celebration to honor 34 businesses for their outstanding performance in container and bulk cargo wharf operations, stevedoring operations, shipping agency services, and port sustainability and for annual excellence. TIPC also took the opportunity to ask for the continued support of these firms in breaking new all-time records for TIPC ports this year.

With the recent completion of work on Port of Kaohsiung’s 7th Container Terminal, TIPC is now focused on major renovations to the port’s 3rd and 5th Container Terminals. These renovations will provide new deep-water wharves and expanded working areas to further enhance the quality of facilities and services available to shipping customers. Also, several ongoing projects have been designed specifically to meet the needs of the national three-stage offshore wind farm expansion program. These include renovation and reinforcement work at Port of Taichung Wharf Nos. 37 and 38 as well as shoreline reinforcement and land reclamation work at Port of Kaohsiung Wharf No. A6. In addition, TIPC is actively recruiting new business partners for port leasing and business development opportunities expected to attract some NT$3.37 billion in new investment and create around 1,300 new jobs.

In line with international low-carbon transition trends in the global shipping and port sector, TIPC continues to work to fundamentally transform its operations in terms of both digitalization and sustainability. TIPC is working closely with the Kaohsiung City Government on Asia New Bay Area Plan 2.0 to attract cutting-edge technology industries; works eagerly with city officials and agencies on port-city AI innovation; and looks to optimally integrate AI to raise the effectiveness of smart-port services. In addition to offering financial incentives to port business that streamline their operations using smart tech, TIPC also offers a green-port incentive plan to encourage their installation and use of electric-powered equipment and eco-friendly vessels and is working to expand its network of green fuel service stations in order to speed the sector’s low-carbon transition.

This year’s anniversary celebration also made room to highlight TIPC’s ongoing support of charitable activities and port-city outreach programs. The Taiwan Ports Association and Kaohsiung Municipal Cijin Hospital joined TIPC in hosting a “Golden Age Wedding Photo” activity on the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal’s Rhythm of the Sea Plaza (3^rd floor). Senior citizens were invited to donate retailer receipts for charity, have their pictures taken in wedding attire, and have their hair done by local vocational students. The activity infused additional meaning to TIPC’s 13^th anniversary event by encouraging senior citizens to join in and creating a welcoming platform for intergenerational sharing.