Seoul: The much-maligned Pusan New Port (PNC), a flagship facility of DP World, received an enormous boost today with the world's largest containerline moving in. Eight out of the 10 Maersk Line services that currently call at the Busan North port will migrate to PNC. The move is expected to bring an anticipated volume of more than 700,000 teu per annum to the port.
Patrick Bol, PNC md said: "The increased mainline volumes will also attract feeders to call directly at PNC, increasing transshipment activity as well. Maersk Line's recognition of PNC as a critical facility in North East Asia will further boost PNC's reputation as a gateway terminal for North East Asia and DP World's position as a leading terminal operator in Asia. This is only the start, there are more shipping lines to follow, in 2009 Hanjin and Hyundai will move to adjacent Newport terminals further accelerating the Busan cargo gravity shift to the West."
Kyu Sun Park, President of Maersk Line Korea said: "Our move to PNC will accelerate the faster activation of Busan New Port area and we hope this will be a meaningful move in support of the Korean government effort of making Busan one of the major hub ports in North East Asia. We expect this will on the other hand help ease the congestion in the North port and eventually assist the re-development plan of the old port area, providing people-friendly environment to Busan citizens."
When Pusan New Port started 19 months ago it had no customers and a lot of bad press. MSC joined in mid-2006 and now with Maersk onboard its future looks secure, although many analysts have noted the incredible offers the port, some 70 nautical miles due west of Busan city, was offering in order to entice custom. Other main line services already committed to the facility include CSAV, ZIM, Emirates and the United Arab Shipping Company.
Under a radical rezoning scheme much of the old port in the city centre will be redeveloped into housing and office space in the next 12 years. [09/08/07]
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