Plan for Functional Relocation of Bukhang Container Terminal
1st Quay Crane from Jaseongdae Pier to Gammam Pier
Busan Port Authority (BPA) announced that the first of six large quay cranes (C/C) to be relocated from Jaseongdae Pier to Singamman Pier and Gamman Pier (Berth 1) as part of the North Port container terminal function reorganization plan has been completed.
Opened in 1978, Jaseongdae Pier has been designated as the target site for the second phase of North Port redevelopment and will complete its pier operations by the end of this year. Jaseongdae Pier, Korea’s first container terminal, is recognized for laying a significant foundation over the past 46 years in developing Busan Port into a global hub port.
Since last year, Busan Port Authority has operated the government collaboration task force, the ‘North Port Operation Preparation Team (TF),’ to gradually advance the related relocation schedule. This quay crane relocation follows the March 2024 relocation of the existing Singamman Pier operator to the New Port and the simultaneous operation of Jaseongdae Pier operator at Singamman Pier in September, marking the final step in the schedule.
Korea Hutchison Terminal, the operator of Jaseongdae Pier, plans to relocate and install six quay cranes used at Jaseongdae Pier in two phases over three months to the relocation piers: four cranes to Gamman Pier and two cranes to Singamman Pier, and then operate them.
The equipment relocation work is being carried out in cooperation with domestic and international cargo handling equipment manufacturers, safety inspection companies, and transportation companies. Quay cranes are equipment used to load and unload container cargo on ships, with a maximum height of 120m and a maximum load of approximately 1,200 tons, requiring maritime transport.
However, since the ship passage height under Busan Harbor Bridge is limited to 60m, the cranes must be dismantled and cut for maritime transport (via barge) and then reassembled at the new piers. This process requires precise structural and technical calculations and safe operations, as well as careful consideration of weather conditions such as wind speed, wave height, and tidal currents.
Meanwhile, Jaseongdae Pier currently accommodates 47 scheduled container ships weekly, operating 24 hours nonstop for cargo handling. To ensure uninterrupted port operations at Busan Port, Busan Port Authority and Hutchison Terminal have been simultaneously operating both Jaseongdae Pier and the new piers since the first vessel berthed at the new pier on September 4. Once the equipment relocation is fully completed and operations are normalized, the new piers will be officially opened.
The detailed relocation process involves first safely cutting the crane structures and cables to lower the structures, then loading them onto barges in that state for transport to Singamman Pier and Gamman Pier.
Upon arrival at the new sites, the cranes will be lifted off the barges and reassembled. After commissioning tests to verify normal operation, they will enter official operation.
The first CC Unit 1 docking at Gammam Pier No. 1 after passing Busan Harbor Bridge for the first time.
After the first relocation is completed, the remaining cranes will begin dismantling in November and are expected to be sequentially completed by December. In addition to the quay cranes, other cargo handling equipment such as RTGCs remaining at Jaseongdae Pier will also be moved sequentially via land and sea transport.
Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, stated, “We are working closely with the government and pier operators to ensure the quay cranes are safely relocated while maintaining the efficiency of Busan Port’s logistics functions. We will continue to support the North Port to maintain and strengthen its specialized role as an intra-Asia shipping hub.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
