PECT enlarges facilities

The Pusan East Container Terminal (PECT) is considering expanding and upgrading facilities to improve competitiveness.

PECT, the operating company at the container terminal, asked the KCTA (Korea Container Terminal Authority) to increase the berth length by over 200 meters from its current 1,200 meters in order to improve port operating efficiency and to prepare for larger containerships.

Regarding these issues, PECT explained that as vessels get bigger and bigger, it will be impossible for four 50,000-ton containerships to enter under the current berth condition. The further stated that this would have serious consequences for efficient terminal operation in the future.

They further added, "should the berth be expanded, it would be possible for four container ships to be deployed at the same time and, if necessary, five container vessels, making it possible to increase cargo handling by 300,000 TEU per year."

PECT will kick off construction this coming October or November with berth and container yard (CY) construction. CY construction will require 2 or 3 years resulting in a total area of 39,000 pyoung (1 pyoung is approximately 3.3 square meters).

An official at PECT explained, "if construction stays on schedule, capacities will be increased, and we will be able to offer more and better quality services with the help of those improved container handling facilities."

Elsewhere, the fourth berth at the Kamman Terminal and the Port of Kwangyang measure 1,400 meters (350 meter per berth). Berth lengths at the Port of Hong Kong and Singapore measure 364 meters and 363 meters, respectively, 50 meters longer than at PECT.