The Busan New Container Terminal (BNCT), the most modern container terminal in Busan, has recently passed the five million TEU mark less than five years after its first vessel call on February 23, 2012.
In 2016, BNCT is well on track to deliver on its promise to all its stakeholders to move forward faster, smoother and together with volume for the first three months of the year already up over 30% compared to a year ago.
Mr John Elliot, CEO of BNCT, said: “BNCT is proud of what we have been able to achieve for our customers since opening in 2012 and of the many operational and safety improvements we have been able to make along the way.
“This is a very solid base from which to improve and grow even more and we look forward to maximising the benefit of our recently added equipment and capacity in meeting our customers’ needs safely in this market for many years to come.”
BNCT recently completed its phase two expansion in 2015, which added 700,000 TEU capacity, and a 16,000 TEU empty storage area for a new total handling capacity of 2.5 million TEU.
Technical Paper: BNCT: Growing Smartly for a Big Future
With further expansion possible for over 3.5 million TEU in the future, BNCT is the only terminal able to construct additional capacity in new port until 2020.
To commemorate this milestone, BNCT held a ceremony quay side with terminal workers from the operator, labor unions and subcontractors in attendance as well as BNCT’s 4 biggest customers: CMA CGM, KMTC, UASC and COSCO.
WM Lee, Director of CMA CGM, said: “This event is not about the number 5 million. Operating the first vertical lay out terminal in Asia is not an easy accomplishment since the port industry in Korea had no experience with this type of terminal before.
“Nevertheless, BNCT achieved remarkable growth and reliable operations. We are well aware of and thank BNCT for the dedication and hard work that got us here today. We are confident BNCT will continue to provide good service in the future.”
Watch the vertically-automated BNCT:
(Source: YoungHee Lee (YouTube))
Fact File: BNCT is an independent full-service container terminal with 2.5 million TEU. As the most advanced terminal in Korea and the first vertically-automated terminal in Asia, BNCT can berth three of the world’s largest container vessels simultaneously at 1400 metres of quay with 16-17-metre water draft with the biggest and most technologically advanced equipment to match.
