Export cargo loading process in Pusan disrupted

Typhoon ?Rusa?damaged the Kyoungbu (Seoul-Pusan) rail, disrupting deliveries to the Port of Pusan and causing huge delays for export cargoes.
Terminal operating companies and transportation companies said on September 2 that they were confronted with difficulties in securing trucks to carry export and import cargoes because containers by train dropped to below one-third levels prior to typhoon Rusa hitting Korea.
Korea Express used to carry 500 TEU by rail to Pusan, but have only managed to send a third of that since the typhoon. The company has tried to move cargoes with additional trucks, but can only transport about 20 ?30% of what they need to. Other transportation companies are suffering similar problems.
A Korea Express officer said that though some cargoes are being sent by truck, there are limits, and inevitably problems.
Under the situation, on-dock export cargoes by rail have gone down the worst.
While the Pusan East Container Terminal (PECT) processed 250 to 270 TEU received by rail per day, only 120 TEU containers arrived by rail on September 1st, the day after the typhoon. Figures decreased to 60 to 70 TEU on September 2 and 3.
Other container terminals, including HBCT and the Kamman Terminal, are processing fewer cargoes as well.
?The difficulties would be worse while container cargo handling in Pusan occupied 12% of their total cargoes and most cargoes from Kyoungsang in areas piled up as a result of the summer vacation and a local down-pour. On top of it, the rapidly approaching Chusuk (Korean Thanksgiving) season logistic demand would add more difficulties,?said the transportation companies.
Because vessels took refugee from the typhoon on the open seas, returning to Pusan after the disaster, they were unable to transport any cargoes.
A worker at PECT said that there would be cargoes failing to meet loading dates due to the transportation disturbance.
Transportation companies and shippers asked liners to delay vessel departures. For missed loading dates, they were busy hunting for replacement vessels as soon as possible and requesting delayed deadlines from overseas buyers.
Many companies expressed worries about catastrophic delays if it takes several months to repair the rail system.