Busan Port Authority Wins Grand Prize at Port Operation Innovation Competition

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] Busan Port Authority (BPA) received the Grand Prize at the ‘2022 Port Operation Innovation Competition’ hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

This award was given for ‘Overcoming port paralysis through emergency cargo transportation using the ITT (Inter Terminal Transportation) internal passage during the Cargo Solidarity transport refusal.’

The Innovation Competition evaluates major achievements of ports nationwide over the year to determine award recipients.

BPA received the Encouragement Award in 2018 for ‘Promotion of Busan New Port ITT Transportation,’ the Excellence Award in 2019 for ‘Establishment of an efficient transshipment cargo transportation system based on blockchain,’ and this year, for the first time, the Grand Prize.

Busan Port Authority's Certificate of Excellence Award received at the '2022 Port Operation Innovation Competition'.

Due to the prolonged situation caused by the Cargo Solidarity transport refusal that occurred twice in June and November-December last year, there were concerns about the suspension of port operations.

In this situation, BPA was evaluated for dispelling concerns about logistics paralysis at Busan Port by enabling emergency cargo transportation through proactive measures such as the urgent opening of the ITT internal passage at the newly opened pier and improvement of the operating system.

During the transport refusal period, BPA anticipated that normal cargo entry and exit through the pier gates would be impossible, so it completely reorganized the ITT internal passage, which had been operating only during nighttime hours, into a 24-hour operation system.

Additionally, to expedite cargo transportation, security procedures were simplified, and extra personnel were deployed to prevent safety and security accidents due to the surge in traffic volume.

Furthermore, to alleviate the logistics cost burden of domestic exporters, a temporary alternative container yard with a capacity of approximately 14,000 TEU was created and provided near the terminal.

Since land road transportation was impossible, various supports were also provided for port users, including separate support measures for shipping companies that berthed additional vessels at Busan Port to transport cargo.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, said, “We will do our best to ensure that Busan Port can provide stable port services regardless of any disaster situation.”