Busan Port volume recovers to 1 million TEU

Container throughput at Busan Port is estimated to have finally recovered back to 1 million TEU per month for the first time since last November.

Busan Port Authority said on August 5 that container throughput at Busan Port last month was expected to stand at 1,004,000 TEU, up 2.3% from June.

The recovery amid fleet realignments by shipping companies due to the ongoing global recession seems to be attributed to the merits of Busan Port as transshipment port and active marketing activities conducted by BPA.

The total trade volume from January to July amounted to 6.62 million TEU, 17.3 % down from the same period of last year. Among the total volume, import and export cargo accounted for 3.63 million TEU (down 21%) and transshipment cargo 2.99 million TEU (down 12.4%).

Port by port, Shinsundae Terminal handled the largest portion of transshipment cargo from North China, 1.44 million TEU, being followed by Gamman Terminal and Jasungdae Terminal. BPA marketing director, Mr. Park, said that Busan Port throughput was showing signs of recovery and the signs would become clearer as the year comes to a close. <Korea Shipping Gazette>