The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) was formerly responsible for administering and supervising the nation's four Harbor Bureaus (Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hualien). However, bureaucratic hurdles impeded the ability of these Harbor Bureaus to take full advantage of business opportunities and respond effectively to business challenges. In order to improve efficiencies and enhance regional and global competitiveness, the MOTC in 2010~2011 drafted plans to divest from port operations, in line with current international trends. On March 1st, 2012, the Harbor Bureau system officially ended. The newly formed Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) took over the former port operation and management functions of the four Harbor Bureaus, while the new Maritime and Port Bureau, MOTC took over their former maritime / port policy and supervision functions. TIPC is a national enterprise that is wholly owned by the MOTC and headed by a Board of Directors and a Board of Supervisors. TIPC administers the four subsidiary organizations of the Port of Keelung, Port of Taichung, Port of Kaohsiung, and Port of Hualien and manages all aspects of the business of these ports, their associated facilities, and their auxiliary ports. Business-oriented operations have improved the effectiveness and flexibility of port operations greatly and are fueling renewed port growth and expansion and stimulating local economic and industrial prosperity. The modern economic importance of Mainland China and of other countries in the Asia Pacific Region makes Taiwan, at the nexus of trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe shipping routes, an ideal hub for trade and commerce. Located conveniently in northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, TIPC ports are backed by modern port infrastructures, surrounded by world-class industries, and connected directly into efficient national road and rail networks.
