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PNC to begin operating largest single terminal in South Korea

DUBAI — Pusan Newport Co, Ltd. (PNC) is on course to begin operating the largest single terminal in South Korea on January 1, 2006. Phase one of the development, which consists of three berths of 350 metres each, is now 95 per cent complete, with a further three berths on schedule for completion in 2007 and the final three berths operational by 2009. The overall terminal has a conservative estimated handling capacity of 5.5 million TEU.

PNC is a joint-venture company established to develop, build and operate the North terminal of Pusan Northern Port, entailing a 3,200m quay terminal, located at the boundary of the West side of Busan City and eastern tip of Kyongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. DPI Terminals, the leading port operator and developer, with Samsung Corporation are the joint-lead sponsors and investors in the project. DPI has been contracted as the operations and maintenance provider to PNC.

The first of six ship-to-shore quay cranes have already been delivered, with the final three cranes scheduled for arrival on 1 October. These cranes will enable the terminal to handle the next generation of large container vessels with water depths between 16 and 17 metres. The facility will also host the largest container cranes built to date with a rail gauge of 42.7 metres designed for nine traffic lanes and boom outreach over 22 rows.

The facility is being promoted as the gateway hub of Northeast Asia due to its strategic location between Japan and Northeast China. The Busan area also has an extremely strong indigenous market and transportation infrastructure, which makes the geographic position ideal for such a large container hub facility. A total of 4.08 million square meters of terminal and logistics support area has been designated as a free trade zone, which will encompass international facilities for integrated logistics and affiliated industries.

Robert Walker, vice-president of Pusan Newport Co. and DPI Terminals, South Korea, said: "We are delighted with the progress made so far on Korea's mega hub container terminal. All building construction is on schedule, and we have begun to take delivery of state-of-the-art equipment and systems, which we are vigorously testing. PNC is also busy recruiting and training local professionals.