BUSAN: The South Korean government has announced plans to add a further 15 berths to Busan New Port, increasing container capacity by 15m teu.
The new facilities will feature container terminals, feeder terminals and multi-purpose terminals. Work will begin in stages based on actual cargo demand, under the coordination of central government.
Busan Port Authority (BPA) President, Lim Ki-tack, said that the port is on track to handle 20m teu this year and the latest plans would aid its efforts to be the leading transhipment hub in Northeast Asia.
“Our aim is to continually develop the port and pre-empt the rapidly evolving maritime transport industry to ensure that the port of Busan remains a key part of the global logistics chain and a major contributor to the economic development of the region,” he said.
Development at Busan New Port began in 1994 and it now operates 22 berths, with an additional eight currently under construction. BPA’s throughput reached 18.68m teu in 2014, with the New Port accounting for 64% or 11.93m teu.
Lim added that aside from the berth plans, the port intends to develop an liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facility by 2018 while maintaining the growth of its logistics distripark.