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Busan Port to Launch Comprehensive Removal of Sunken Waste Tires Used as Fenders Underwater
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2026.07.30.
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Busan Port to Launch Comprehensive Removal of Sunken Waste Tires Used as Fenders Underwater
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it would be conducting a collection of sunken waste tire fenders from the waters around Busan Port (South Port and North Port) from Wednesday, July 22 to Wednesday, September 2.
Most of the waste tires found underwater were originally used as fenders to absorb impact when vessels dock but were subsequently detached. They can generate microplastics if left unattended for extended periods—causing marine pollution—and may also pose safety hazards to vessel navigation.
In response, MOF conducted a fact-finding survey among major ports nationwide last year. After confirming that the largest concentration of sunken waste tires was in Busan Port—an area with heavy vessel traffic—MOF decided to carry out the collection project there first.
This collection project will be implemented using a thorough data-based precision retrieval method, drawing on the results of a detailed design study conducted from March to May of this year. The total area subject to collection in Busan Port is 77 hectares, with target collection volume of approximately 131 tons (around 1,200 waste tires).
The specific project sites are: ▲ waters around Busan South Port (35 hectares and 86 tons) and ▲ waters around Pier 5, Gamman Citizens’ Pier, and Cheonghak Quay of Busan North Port (42 hectares and 45 tons). Professional salvage divers will be deployed to ensure safe operations. The work will proceed by tying the underwater waste tires with ropes and then lifting them using cranes. Operations will commence simultaneously on July 22, with collection in Busan North Port scheduled to be completed by August 23 and that in Busan South Port by September 2.
"To reduce underwater waste tires, it is of utmost importance that vessel owners replace aging fenders promptly to prevent loss and—in the event of loss—assume responsibility for retrieving them directly. MOF will continue its waste tire collection efforts to prevent safety accidents and marine pollution, while also strengthening promotional activities to enhance on-site responsibility awareness," said Hwang Jun-seong, Director General of Marine Environment Policy at MOF.
□ Project Overview
o (Total budget) KRW 375 million
o (Total area and volume) 77.0 ha / 131.0 tons (approx. 1,200 tires)
o (Collection period) July 22 - September 2, 2026 (varies by site)
o (Work process) Precise underwater collection using professional divers and salvage cranes
□ Details by site
o (Water around Busan South Port) Period: July 22 – September 2, 2026 (50 days) / Budget: KRW 235 million / Area: 35.0 ha / Volume: 86.0 tons
o (Waters around Busan North Port (Pier 5, Gamman Citizens' Pier, and Cheonghak Quay)) Period: July 22 – August 23, 2026 (40 days) / Budget: KRW 140 million / Area: 42.0 ha / Volume: 45.0 tons
- Intensive collection of sunken waste tires to begin in the Busan South Port and North Port areas starting July 22
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Hwang Jong-woo) announced that it would be conducting a collection of sunken waste tire fenders from the waters around Busan Port (South Port and North Port) from Wednesday, July 22 to Wednesday, September 2.
Most of the waste tires found underwater were originally used as fenders to absorb impact when vessels dock but were subsequently detached. They can generate microplastics if left unattended for extended periods—causing marine pollution—and may also pose safety hazards to vessel navigation.
In response, MOF conducted a fact-finding survey among major ports nationwide last year. After confirming that the largest concentration of sunken waste tires was in Busan Port—an area with heavy vessel traffic—MOF decided to carry out the collection project there first.
This collection project will be implemented using a thorough data-based precision retrieval method, drawing on the results of a detailed design study conducted from March to May of this year. The total area subject to collection in Busan Port is 77 hectares, with target collection volume of approximately 131 tons (around 1,200 waste tires).
The specific project sites are: ▲ waters around Busan South Port (35 hectares and 86 tons) and ▲ waters around Pier 5, Gamman Citizens’ Pier, and Cheonghak Quay of Busan North Port (42 hectares and 45 tons). Professional salvage divers will be deployed to ensure safe operations. The work will proceed by tying the underwater waste tires with ropes and then lifting them using cranes. Operations will commence simultaneously on July 22, with collection in Busan North Port scheduled to be completed by August 23 and that in Busan South Port by September 2.
"To reduce underwater waste tires, it is of utmost importance that vessel owners replace aging fenders promptly to prevent loss and—in the event of loss—assume responsibility for retrieving them directly. MOF will continue its waste tire collection efforts to prevent safety accidents and marine pollution, while also strengthening promotional activities to enhance on-site responsibility awareness," said Hwang Jun-seong, Director General of Marine Environment Policy at MOF.
□ Project Overview
o (Total budget) KRW 375 million
o (Total area and volume) 77.0 ha / 131.0 tons (approx. 1,200 tires)
o (Collection period) July 22 - September 2, 2026 (varies by site)
o (Work process) Precise underwater collection using professional divers and salvage cranes
□ Details by site
o (Water around Busan South Port) Period: July 22 – September 2, 2026 (50 days) / Budget: KRW 235 million / Area: 35.0 ha / Volume: 86.0 tons
o (Waters around Busan North Port (Pier 5, Gamman Citizens' Pier, and Cheonghak Quay)) Period: July 22 – August 23, 2026 (40 days) / Budget: KRW 140 million / Area: 42.0 ha / Volume: 45.0 tons
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