Automated container terminal in Kwangyang by 2008

Kwangyang should have an automated container terminal around 2008.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries revealed in a Korea/Netherlands Joint International Symposium held in BEXCO (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center) on October 30 that it will build an automated container terminal in the third phase second development site in Kwangyang Port, investing 780 million won spread over total six years from 2003. It will be able to handle 1.1 million TEU on an annual basis and have three berths for 50,000-ton vessels. The quay will be 1,050 meters long, 17 meters deep, and cover 630 thousand square meters.

Hahm Dongsuk, the secretary of the Private Investment Division at MOMAF, presented in the symposium that the automated container terminal technology is under development and will be passed over to the Korea Container Terminal Authority (KCTA) to build the terminal. He also said that the automated terminal was designated as an R & D (Research and Development) project in November 1998.

While Rotterdam has had its own automated terminal since 1993, one is under construction in Hamburg and Singapore is currently looking into it. MOMAF explained that automated terminals could guarantee much faster handling of skyrocketing container cargoes and lower transit costs and handling fees. The further explained that this would help to place Korea on the map as a logistic hub for Northeast Asia.

The automated container terminal in Kwangyang will be equipped with 9 sets of container cranes, or more specifically, the number two trolley type that can reach out over 64 meters.

Productivity will increase by 34% through automation while detention rates decrease to 5% from the current 10%. Turn around times for trucks should fall to 20 minutes from the current 30 minutes.

Though the terminal will require 6% more in construction costs than conventional terminals, it can save up to 25% in personnel expenses annually, quoted Mr. Hahm from the Korea Maritime Institute report. However, although operating costs for an automated terminal will initially be greater than for a conventional one, after 10 years the automated terminal will quickly begin to pay for those expenses, and in the long run, will save a great deal of money, he added.

The R&D project will be through to 2003 from November 1998, with the participation of MOMAF, the Ministry of Science & Technology, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Total Soft Bank amongst others. It will be built with a total of 16.9 billion won for technology investments such as the automated terminal design, port simulation technology, design and technology for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Automated Transfer Cranes (ATC), and personnel training for the integrated terminal.