Under the Executive Yuan-approved “Future Development Plans for International Commercial Ports (2022-2026)”, future growth at TIPC’s Anping Port is expected to be driven by cargo shipments to and from Taiwan’s Jianan (southwest) Region and through the development of new tourism and recreation opportunities, with a free trade zone (FTZ) situated in the port’s South District and tourism-centered facilities located in North District. In addition, in line with the Executive Yuan’s “Blueprint for 2050 Net-Zero Transition”, TIPC has positioned Anping Port as an auxiliary support base for offshore wind farms in the Taiwan Strait. The critical role already being played by the port in offshore wind power development has solidified a strong foundation for the development of a diverse array of vessel and cargo services going forward.
Because of the significant space available at the port for storing oversized cargoes such as wind-turbine components, handled volume at Anping Port between January and May of this year (2024) topped 4.965 million RT - an impressive 556% (4.208 million RT) increase over the same period last year. With industrial and commercial cargo volumes little changed from the previous period, this increase is almost entirely due to demand from the offshore wind power sector. With regard to general cargo handling, related facilities at the port include fully enclosed and standard warehouses and yard space for bulk cargoes; cement silos; and chemical storage tanks. Since opening for business in October 2021, Anping Port’s container terminal has supported Greater Tainan manufacturers with streamlined, convenient materials supply and delivery services. Also, suppliers of cement, edible oils, and other general commodities as well as petrochemical businesses in the region have increasingly used Anping Port as a strategic hub for storage and shipping/transshipment activities. Close proximity to the many major industries located in and around Greater Tainan give the port a clear advantage in terms of significantly shorter land transport distances and lower transportation costs and air pollution emissions.
With regard to the offshore wind power sector, four privately leased wharves at Anping are now dedicated to turbine components storage, component and equipment delivery, and loading / offloading activities. Moreover, Anping Port is the homeport of Green Jade, Taiwan’s largest domestically built wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). Furthermore, underwater jacket foundations and pin piles offloaded and stored this year (2024) at the port are being gradually delivered for installation at wind farms off the Changhua coast. The port is also a major storage and transshipment hub for the rubble (riprap) used to stabilize offshore wind turbine foundations, with the large quantities needed playing an outsized role in Anping Port’s recent explosive growth in handled volume.
Anping Port will continue solidifying and expanding its functions as the primary cargo hub for the Jianan Region. The port is working closely with port businesses and CIQS agencies to ensure all related services are provided effectively, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality. Anping Port is committed to maximize its potential as a critical link in the regional production and supply chains for the benefit of local industry and the national economy.
Sources: Ministry of Transportation and Communications