Busan Port 2nd New Port to Accommodate Ultra-Large 30,000 TEU-Class Vessels... Construction to Begin in 2022

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces '2030 Port Policy Directions and Implementation Strategies' at Cabinet Meeting

'Gwangyang Port Testbed' to pave the way for full-scale introduction of Korean-style smart ports at Busan Port by 2030
Strengthening disaster prevention ports by increasing typhoon and tsunami recurrence intervals from 50 to 100 years
Designating Gyeongryeolbiyeoldo, the westernmost island in the mid-western sea area, as a national management port to reinforce territorial defense

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Ju Sang-don] The construction of Busan Port's Second New Port will begin in 2022. Reflecting the recent trend of larger vessels, it will have a total of 15 berths, including 14 berths capable of accommodating ultra-large vessels of 30,000 TEU (1 TEU = one 6-meter container). Instead of manned port handling and transport equipment, it will be built as an automated port utilizing domestically developed remote control and autonomous driving automation equipment.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that it reported the '2030 Port Policy Direction and Implementation Strategy' including these details at the Cabinet meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in.

Minister Moon Seong-hyeok of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said, "We plan to start construction of Busan Port's Second New Port, capable of accommodating 30,000 TEU ultra-large vessels, in 2022 to further solidify its status as a logistics hub in Northeast Asia," adding, "We will actively promote digitalization and intelligence of port logistics by 2030 in line with the development of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies."

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries identified the vision of this port policy direction as 'Realizing high value-added digital ports with global competitiveness,' and presented key strategies including ▲ actively promoting digitalization and intelligence of port logistics in line with Fourth Industrial Revolution technology development ▲ strengthening global competitiveness of ports through continuous infrastructure expansion ▲ enhancing sustainability through win-win cooperation between ports and local communities.

To respond to changes in the 'international supply chain' caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to establish a stable port logistics network, the ministry devised port development strategies specialized by region. The core of this is Busan Port's Second New Port. Construction of Busan Port's Second New Port, capable of accommodating 30,000 TEU ultra-large vessels, will begin in 2022. The scattered small vessel mooring spaces in Busan Port's North Port, which threatened the safety of passing ships and impaired aesthetics, will be consolidated. Disaster prevention facilities to secure the safety of the hinterland in Cheonghak-dong, Yeongdo-gu, are also included. The name 'Jinhae New Port' was finalized for Busan Port's Second New Port following local requests.

Gwangyang Port, ranked 11th globally in total cargo volume, plans to establish a virtuous cycle system linking 'industrial activation → cargo volume creation → port development' starting from expanding the hinterland in connection with hinterland industries. To this end, a circular route will be established and the development of the hinterland accelerated to nurture it as Asia's top smart complex port. In particular, by 2026, a port automation testbed (594 billion KRW) will be built at Gwangyang Port to develop domestic technologies and accumulate operational experience. After verification at the Gwangyang Port testbed, domestically developed automation technologies will be introduced to Busan Port's Second New Port, and from 2030, a full-scale Korean-style smart port will be operated.

The Incheon and West Sea areas will be developed as logistics hub ports for handling import and export cargo with China, establishing a stable logistics network with China. To this end, Incheon Port will be developed as a dedicated metropolitan area port focused on goods and consumption by expanding container berths by three and constructing an underground road for the Incheon New Port access road to improve traffic conditions and reduce logistics costs.

Pyeongtaek and Dangjin Ports will be developed as industrial support ports for the metropolitan area handling automobiles and miscellaneous goods; Mokpo Port as an industrial hub port for the southwest region; and Jeju as a passenger and cruise tourism-centered port. Saemangeum Port plans to start construction of a miscellaneous cargo berth (2 berths) in 2022 and complete it by 2025.

Ulsan and East Sea areas will be developed as forward bases for new northern energy and logistics in line with the Moon Jae-in administration's key New Northern Policy. To this end, Ulsan Port will expand energy berths (18 berths) for petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hinterland complexes, and open hinterland roads to dramatically improve logistics movement between Ulsan New Port and the main port.

East Sea and Mukho Ports will prioritize development of two berths with budget investment to resolve chronic congestion and stagnation issues.

Efforts will also be made to enhance sustainability through win-win cooperation between ports and local communities. LNG bunkering terminals will be installed at Busan, Ulsan, and Gwangyang Ports; repair shipyards at Busan Port and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port; and an e-commerce specialized zone at Incheon Port to diversify port services and create local jobs.

Furthermore, through specialized development reflecting regional characteristics and residents' needs, aging and idle port spaces will be transformed into regional economic, industrial, and cultural hubs. To this end, port redevelopment projects will be promoted on 14 ports covering 21.53 million square meters, including the second phase of Busan Port North Port and Incheon Inner Port 1st and 8th berths. Additionally, expansion of waterfront spaces such as marine parks, waterfront breakwaters, and waterfront promenades within port areas will support local residents' leisure activities, and port public design will be applied to transform the surroundings into harmonious places.

Buffer functions to reduce environmental damage will also be introduced. To reduce dust emissions from powdery cargo such as cement, sand, and grains, enclosed dustproof handling systems will be introduced, and eco-friendly zones in the form of forest belts will be established between ports and urban areas.

Along with the government's expansion of renewable energy and hydrogen economy establishment strategies, offshore wind power support berths will be constructed within ports, and research for building hydrogen ports will be conducted. Additionally, to prepare for large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, strong winds, and tsunamis, port design standards will be raised from a recurrence interval of 50 years to 100 years.

Moreover, Gyeongryeolbiyeoldo, the westernmost island in Korea's mid-western sea area, will be preliminarily designated as a nationally managed coastal port, and 86 billion KRW will be invested to expand coast guard and fisheries management ship berths, thereby strengthening territorial defense functions in the mid-western sea area.

Minister Moon said, "According to the 2030 port policy direction and implementation strategy, we will steadily promote port development over the next decade to enable Korea to advance as a leading country in port logistics amid changes in the international environment and realize digital ports with global competitiveness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.