Busan port 2012 container throughput up 5.7% to17.03m TEU

South Korea's Busan port maintained its position as the world's fifth busiest container port in 2012 with throughput of 17.03m teu, an improvement from 16.17m teu in 2011, Seatrade Asia online reports.

Busan Port Authority (BPA) is aiming for a 5.7% increase in box volumes this year to achieve 18m teu of throughput.

In addition, the BPA has gradually expanded its operations while attracting cruise vessels and promoting the New Port Development Project, the Distripark Project, the Busan North Port Development Project, and the Ship Article Distribution Center for the past nine years.

Furthermore, the BPA will run a special inspection team to expand transhipment cargoes, which account for nearly 47% of the total volume of Busan port cargoes, and analyse factors contributing to changes in transhipment volumes.