Comparing the Competitiveness of Busan, Shanghai, and Tokyo in the Age of the Northern Sea Route

This study, conducted at a time when discourse on utilizing the Northern Sea Route is expanding, comparatively analyzes the competitiveness of three representative cities in the era of the Northern Sea Route: Korea, China, and Japan.The definition of the Northern Sea Route and related research were first reviewed.Busan, Shanghai, and Tokyo-home to representative ports in each of the three countries-were then selected as the cities with comparative advantages in utilizing the Northern Sea Route.The comparison of these cities' competitiveness primarily focuses on their geopolitical strengths, port locations, and shipbuilding capabilities advantageous for utilizing the Northern Sea Route.Port competitiveness and sustainability were subsequently compared.To further analyze city competitiveness based on ports-a key differentiating factor in this study-factors such as connectivity as a logistics hub, the number of visiting tourists (used as a measure of city attractiveness), GDP per capita (as an indicator of quality of life), consumer price inflation, and carbon dioxide emissions (as a representative indicator of environmental management) were examined.According to the analysis, Shanghai is relatively more competitive than Busan and Tokyo in portrelated indicators such as port throughput, cost competitiveness, port efficiency, and port, air, and land connectivity.In contrast, Busan demonstrates a more advantageous geographic location than Shanghai, strong shipbuilding capacity for the Arctic shipping route era, the presence of relevant research institutes and universities, and favorable performance in carbon dioxide emissions, an important environmental indicator.Compared to Tokyo, Busan exhibits a geographic advantage in accessing the Arctic route, superior port connectivity and shipbuilding capacity, and a competitive edge in port throughput, cost competitiveness, and port efficiency.These findings are expected to serve as a catalyst for further research aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Busan Port in the era of the Arctic shipping route, which is anticipated to become increasingly important.