South Korea’s Busan Port launches first automated container terminal
South Korea’s Busan New Port has further extended its capacity with the launch of a seventh container terminal. The terminal’s opening ceremony was attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who lauded the facility as a milestone in turning Busan Port into a world class smart port and hub for global logistics.
The new facility is the first fully automated terminal in the country featuring remotely controlled ship-to-shore cranes built in Korea. The automated transfer of cargo from ships is expected to raise the port’s productivity by up to 20 per cent compared with other terminals and significantly lower the risk of safety-related incidents.
The Busan New Port opened back in 2006 as older terminals at the Busan Harbor were unable to handle the exponential growth in trade at the key transhipment port. The development was carried out in phases, and the new port expansion is scheduled to last up to around 2040-2050. According to Busan Port Authority, the overall expansion project will cost $32 billion when completed.
Last year, container traffic at the Port of Busan hit a record 22.75 million TEU, representing a 3.1 per cent increase compared to the previous year, as per a report.
Source : Our Correspondent