- Holding the Automation Equipment Demonstration Event on October 27th at the West Container Pier of Busan New Port

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Cho Seung Hwan) announced that it will be hosting a demonstration event of the fully automated cargo handling equipment at the West Container Terminal of Busan New Port from 11:00 AM on October 27th (Friday), celebrating the completion of a Phase 2-5 project.

 

 

 The West Container Phase 2-5 Terminal is the first fully automated* port in Korea. By implementing unmanned container transport devices, called Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and operating automated systems, the terminal will be able to prevent safety incidents while increasing the productivity and operational efficiency of the port. Moreover, the end-to-end automation of all operational stages from the pier, transfer, and yard, means that the new terminal has the advantage of uninterrupted port operations in crisis situations, such as during a pandemic. In particular, the West Container phase 2-5 pier is considered to have laid the foundation for the Korean smart port industry by introducing KRW 340 billion-worth of domestic cargo handling equipment, generating economic ripple effects of KRW 211 billion in added value and inducing production of KRW 641.7 billion.

 

 

  * (Pier) Unload container → (Transfer) Move cargo from pier to storage area → (Yard) Storage of container in the yard

 

 

 The upcoming event will demonstrate the entire process of unloading and transferring containers by using automated equipment. Around 200 representatives of the shipping and port sector will be attending the event, including Minister Cho Seung Hwan of Oceans and Fisheries and officials of the terminal operators and shipping companies.

 

 

 Minister Cho Seung Hwan points out that “the completion of the West Container Terminal Phase 2-5 Pier is a significant and innovative achievement, which marks the opening of a new era of fully automated port operations in Korea” and adds, “Starting today, we will continue to expand the automation of ports to Gwangyang and Incheon Ports, while building a Korean smart port at Jinhae New Port in Busan Port based on domestic technology.”

 

For Reference

Overview of the Fully Automated Pier and the View of the West Container Pier Site

□ Fully Automated Pier
 

 

 ㅇ Implementation of an end-to-end (pier-transfer-yard) fully automated system, by introducing Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)*, installing unmanned vehicle positioning equipment, and building an automated Terminal Operation System (TOS)

 

 

 * Automated Guided Vehicle: Automated Y/T that moves along the signal wires embedded on the floor

 

Pier Type	Berth Area	Transport	Yard Area	Level of Automation
Domestic container pier	X (Manual crane)	X (Yard tractor, etc)	O (Remote crane)	Partial automation
New Port West Container Phase 2-5 Pier	O (Remote crane)	O (AGV)	O (Automated)	Full automation

□ West Container Pier Site View (October 2023)