For long-term development strategies, MOTC regularly conducts analysis on the internal and external environments and important trends in accordance with the White Paper on National Development and Transportation Policies, and publishes “Comprehensive Commercial Port Development Plan”. The plan proposes concrete development goals, direction of strategies and medium-to-long term strategies (five major aspects) for the development of commercial ports and serves as the basis for TIPC to study the positioning of commercial ports and to draw up their construction plans.

Port Development Issues in Taiwan

• Strategies for responsibilities distribution among ports as a result of changes in the global supply chain affecting cargo volume growth.
• Response to emerging issues in port development (global economic and trade changes, intelligence, energy)

Politics

• The transition from multilateralism to protectionism affects the freedom of trade of all countries.
• China-US and Japan- South Korea trade wars impact on global supply chain structure.

Emerging Port Threats

• Southeast Asian ports are on the rise, continue to enhance their operational capabilities, and are likely to develop a direct shipping model, which will affect our transshipment cargo volume.

Economy

• Slowdown in global economic development, with lowered driving force of GDP on goods development.
• Worldwide impact of Covid-19 epidemic.
• Global supply chain increases deployment in Southeast Asia.

Pressure on Supplies

• Steady but slower growth in import and export cargo volumes.
• Transhipment cargo remains relatively stagnant, with notable increase in intraregional shipments and a slight decline in transPacific shipments.

Carrier Selection

• Restructuring of shipping alliances affects port selection.
• Taiwan operates as a landlord port, consolidating its cargo volume with the presence of international carriers, but failing to attract foreign operators to join its operations.

Technical

• Major commercial ports continue to utilize technology to enhance the efficiency of port services and improve the quality of management.
• Development and application of new communication technologies.

Threats from existing competitive ports

• Neighboring ports such as the Port of Xiamen and Port of Yantian have experienced significant growth in cargo volume and have a wider range of routes, thus competing with our country for transshipment cargo resources. 

Social Environment

• Emphasis on environmental issues.
• Demand for LNG filling and receiving stations.
• Demand for offshore wind power development.
• Population decline.
• Prospects for the tourism industry.

International Commercial Port

Consolidate maritime hub status through enhanced smart innovation and diversified services

Goal：

1.Cargo Development

1. Adjust positioning for cargo development of individual port in response to market changes, and joint outbound development of the port clusters.
2. Allocate the operational capacities and functions for different terminals to increase the efficiency of resource utilization at the port.
3. Increase incentives for cargo consolidation and improve transshipment competitiveness.
4. Upgrade the value of services, and continue to create value added.
5. Foster cooperation among operators to increase port service orientations.

2.Passenger Transport Development

1. Combining local tourism resources to attract international cruise ships to Taiwan
2. Assist in promoting the Blue Highway policy and developing domestic island-hopping cruises and ferry services.
3. Expand diversified recreational services in the harbor area

3.Environmental-friendly Energy Response

1. Flexible adjustment of port LNG-related facilities in response to national energy policy
2. Provide a centralized development hinterland in response to the needs of the offshore wind power industry.
3. Promote port sustainability measures in response to domestic and international environmental conventions.

4.Technology Application

1. Develop smart blueprints and test site mechanisms to implement digital transformation
2. Construct high-quality information and communication facilities and expanding the scope of technology application to enhance safety and efficiency.
3. Promote digital platforms with stakeholders to foster international connections

5.Organization and Operations Management

1. Adjust the strategy level of port development in response to market changes
2. Promote cooperation between shipping ports to ensure operational efficiency and financial sustainability.
3. Cultivate talents in response to port transformation and development
4. Foster collaboration between ministries and committees to achieve integrated efficiency of port development.

TIPC has followed “Comprehensive Master Plan for Development of Commercial Ports (year 2022-2026)” and proposed the successive plan named “Development and Construction Plan for International Ports (year 2022-2026)”. The plan has been approved by the Executive Yuan and applied to promote business under four axles: Consolidating core values and enhancing port operating efficiency”, “Pursing diversity of port business profile and expand to emerging industries”, “Digital transformation and building smart ports” and “Sustainable development and expanding the value of business operations”. TIPC has implemented port construction plans, proactively optimized and upgraded port infrastructures, and made flexible adjustments to the business strategies in response to changes in economic conditions and maritime market, in order to promote the sustainable development of Taiwan port clusters.