Korea Hutchison Terminal to Operate Dual Ports at Jasungdae Pier
New Terminals (Shingamman, Gamman 1) to Begin Operations from July
Busan Port Authority (BPA) has begun the second phase of the largest port relocation in the history of Korean ports, starting with the relocation of the operator at Jasungdae Terminal.
The relocation of the Jasungdae Terminal operator involves the move and commencement of operations by Korea Hutchison Terminal, the current operator of Jasungdae Terminal, to Berth 1 at Shingamman and Gamman Terminals.
The functional reallocation of the North Port container terminals at Busan Port will proceed in three stages: ① The relocation of the Shingamman Terminal operator (DPCT) to the New Port and return of the terminal, ② The relocation and commencement of operations by the Jasungdae Terminal operator (Hutchison) at Berth 1 of Shingamman and Gamman Terminals, and ③ The termination of operations at Jasungdae Terminal.
This process requires the organic coordination of complex tasks, such as the transfer of cargo volumes by existing terminal operators, facility upgrades, and operational preparations, all taking place simultaneously. As this is the first-ever reallocation of container terminals at North Port since the opening of Busan Port, a dedicated government collaboration task force (North Port Operation Preparation Team (TF)) has been in operation since last year to ensure a smooth transition.
On March 15, as the first phase of the functional reallocation, DPCT, the operator of Shingamman Terminal, ceased operations at North Port and returned the terminal. Korea Hutchison Terminal, selected as the new operator of Shingamman Terminal, began preparations for operation on March 16, conducting equipment test runs and facility improvements.
The gate at Shingamman Terminal will open on July 15, with commercial operations (cargo handling) scheduled to begin on July 30. Korea Hutchison Terminal also plans to hold a safety prayer ceremony to mark the start of commercial operations at the new site.
From July, Korea Hutchison Terminal will temporarily operate Jasungdae Terminal and Shingamman/Gamman Terminals as a dual port, maintaining service continuity for existing shipping line customers while transferring cargo volumes and large cargo handling equipment to the new terminal.
Starting at the end of July, the dismantling of cargo handling equipment at Jasungdae Terminal will begin, and the equipment will be transported via large barges, passing under Busan Harbor Bridge (68m). This unprecedented port relocation, including the process of 'dismantling, transfer, and reinstallation' of equipment, will take about three months, with all relocation work scheduled for completion by the end of October.
Kang Junseok, President of Busan Port Authority, stated, "This relocation is a massive undertaking, moving an entire operating terminal. We have fully considered safety throughout the process and, in cooperation with the operator's requests, have allowed a temporary extension of operations at Jasungdae Terminal (until the end of October) to ensure there is no disruption to North Port's container logistics function. Although unforeseen challenges such as weather conditions may arise, we will continue to do our utmost to ensure the relocation is smoothly completed to the very end."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
