The Nation's First Fully Automated Port... BPA Demonstrates 'Con' Stages 2-5 at Busan New Port West Terminal

Busan Port Authority (BPA) has completed the construction of the 2-5 phase of the West Container Terminal at Busan New Port and will showcase the fully automated cargo handling process at an automated equipment demonstration on the 27th at 11 a.m.

About 200 officials, including Cho Seung-hwan, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, local government representatives, related organizations, terminal operators, and shipping companies, will attend the demonstration, where the process of unloading containers from the berth to the yard unmanned will be presented.

The West Container Terminal 2-5 phase is the first fully automated port in Korea, introducing unmanned remote container cranes and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), operating without human intervention in all areas from ship berthing to port entry and exit (berth-transfer-yard).

Unlike existing terminals, it is a carbon-neutral port with no internal combustion engine equipment, and it is a fully automated port centered on domestic technology, with key cargo handling equipment manufactured and installed by local manufacturing companies in Busan and Gyeongnam.

Panoramic view of Busan New Port Sub-container Terminal phases 2-5.

BPA’s domestic procurement of handling equipment has generated approximately 641.7 billion KRW in production, created employment for 2,386 people, and contributed to revitalizing the stagnant domestic port equipment industry.

The West Container Terminal 2-5 phase, capable of simultaneously berthing three ultra-large vessels of 22,000 TEU class, began construction in 2012 and completed civil engineering and architectural works over about 11 years, finishing in October 2023. After trial operations to ensure operational stability, it is scheduled to open in the first half of 2024.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, stated, “Starting with the West Container Terminal 2-5 phase, Korea’s first fully automated port, we will lead the development of Korean-style smart ports by building cutting-edge smart ports at the upcoming West Container Terminal 2-6 phase and Jinhae New Port, and strive to realize sustainable eco-friendly ports to further enhance global competitiveness.”

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