BNCT expansion strategy
The latest large ship call at BNCT terminal in Busan’s New Port demonstrates the future abilities of South Korea’s container logistics industry, the operator says.
BNCT, Asia’s first vertically automated container terminal, celebrated the end of its first year of operation in December 2012. The terminal is on track for achieving its 1.8m teu capacity by late 2014, when it intends to add over £1m teu more capacity upon completion of its phase 2 expansion project.
The terminal operator says it’s the only one in New Port adding any significant new capacity up until 2020 – all part of its strategy to get bigger ships to call.
Peter Slootweg, chief commercial officer, BNCT, said to Port Strategy: “Our strategy is simply to ensure capacity, infrastructure and equipment available that supports the industry trend of more and larger vessels.”
He added: “The expansion is about putting in remaining additional yard blocks and the purchase of additional equipment. We hope to place the order for additional cranes soon, which is the main factor that determines when additional capacity will be available at BNCT. They will take around 14 months to arrive from date of order to being fully commissioned and put into use. “
Mr Slootweg explained that the new cranes will be one-tier higher than the current largest cranes in Busan. “Just to make sure that we have enough margin to clear the top tier of the EEE (18000 teu) class comfortably,” he said.