Yeosoo & Kwangyang No berths for large general cargo vessels

No berths for large cargo vessels within Yeosoo and Kwangang cause difficulties for shipping companies that use these ports.

Yeosoo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and shipping companies disclosed on February 19 that the Port of Yeosoo and Kwangyang have not been equipped with berths for large general cargo vessels except containers, oil and fertilizer berths, even though they are surrounded by the important industrial complexes, the Yeosoo National Industrial Complex and Kwangyang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.

General vessels can only be deployed in Yeosoo New Port, which is set with three berths for 6,000-ton vessels, two berths for 5,000-ton vessels and one berth for 1,000-ton vessels. This forces import and export cargo vessels in the 10,000-ton plus category to use the neighboring ports of Masan and Pusan.

The Port of Masan is equipped with 13 berths for 20,000-ton general cargo vessels and 2 berths for 8,000-ton vessels. The Port of Mokpo and Kunsan also have 2 berths and 7 berths, respectively, for 20,000-ton vessels. Even Wando, a comparatively small port has 4 berths for 20,000-ton general cargo vessels.

In spite of such condition, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF) has only made long-term plans to establish four 20,000-ton berths each in the Yeochun and Chungma terminals and berths for 10,000-ton and 20,000-ton vessels in the Yeosoo New Port. However, MOMAF has yet to secure a budget for those.

Yeosoo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries asked the central government to complete four berths in the Yeochun terminal before 2004, despite doubts they will receive the necessary funds.

Though the Yeochun terminal finished its basic lay-out at the end of 1997, aiming for completion by 2006, the KRW 2 billion budget for this year’s construction didn’t even reach 2% of total expenses, KRW 102.8 billion.

Some shipping companies complained that Yeosoo and Kwangyang are the last amongst the domestically well-known ports to accommodate vessels over 10,000 tons. Companies also grumbled that there are no ideas for the construction of large general cargo berths to facilitate growing export and import cargoes and larger cargo vessels.

Mr. Choi Changhyun, Minister of Yeosoo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that the 4 berths in Yeochun terminal will be proposed for general cargo vessels, and 2 berths in the port for large passenger ferries and cruise vessels in preparation for “Expo 2010 Korea”.