Speed Port needs to be introduced in the wake of larger vessel

As larger and faster vessels are changing the maritime environment, the Speed Port, the fourth generation harbor, might be needed to satisfy it, a port expert pointed out.

Professor Moon Seong-hyouk from the Korea Maritime University called for speculation during a special conference regarding the introduction of "Speed Ports" equipped with unmanned automated stevedoring facilities instead of the currently out-of-date loading systems now in place. The conference was held Feb. 23 in the Paradise Hotel, Pusan, under the theme of "Port of Pusan: the development direction for the future", and centered on preparing for larger and faster vessels. Professor Moon said that Speed Ports are a kind of fourth generation harbor. As the vessel deploys within the dock, an unmanned automation spider installed on the upper side of the dock will stevedore and the cargoes from the ship will be moved into storage and later connected with road and railway transportation.

Speed Ports will save time in deploying vessels as well as repairing them. Especially, Speed Ports could produce more efficient stevedoring regardless of vessels sizes, not to mention avoiding stevedored containers in container yards (CY) just as third-generation ports did.

Professor Moon also asserted, "there is no mention about what type of terminal will be adapted in the Pusan New Port system, even if the development directions and sizes of the Pusan New Port to complete 24 berths by 2011, get to be more specific. The Pusan New Port System has to put Speed Ports into consideration to perform its role in 2011 as a main port."