□ Construction of the lower part of the Incheon New Port Phase 1-2 container pier, which will handle the future cargo volume of Incheon Port, has begun and is cruising toward achieving 5 million TEU by 2030.

□ Incheon Port Authority (www.icpa.or.kr, President Choi Jun-wook), which started the construction of the lower part of the container pier for the 1-2 stages of Incheon New Port on May 7th, will complete infrastructure construction, including quay walls, dredging, reclamation, and ground improvement by the first half of 2025 and select operators for the upper part. The IPA announced that it will start upper construction including the operation building and pavement of a bonded warehouse from 2024, and aims to open the pier after installation and test operations in 2026.

□ The container volume of Incheon Port has grown by about 6.8% over the past five years, recording its highest volume of 3.27 million TEUs last year. The two terminals of Incheon New Port (Sun-kwang New Container Terminal and Hanjin Incheon Container Terminal) each handled more than 1 million TEUs, which are expected to achieve 3.45 million TEUs this year.

< Container volume changes since the opening of the new port >

                                                                  (Unit : ten thousand TEU)

□ In particular, the number of automated terminals is growing due to the global increase in container traffic, larger ships, and changes in the technological environment. The introduction of automated piers with Korean-style equipment is being promoted, centering on Busan New Port and Gwangyang Port.

□ Thus, it is essential for Incheon Port, which needs to develop new sea routes in regions such as southwest Asia and the Middle East, to have a port facility that does not fall behind advanced overseas ports, and to build a cutting-edge system incorporating 4th industrial revolution technologies such as AI and IoT(Internet of Things).

□ In line with this, Incheon New Port Phase 1-2 container piers are also developing piers with the goal of full-scale automation. This will mean no workers in the piers by automating all cargo unloading, transfer, and yard work.

□ Smart piers that reflect advanced technologies, such as AI, IoT, and autonomous driving are expected to dramatically improve productivity, as human access is restricted in the work area, preventing accidents and enabling 24-hour operation.

□ In addition, although the initial investment cost of a fully unmanned automated terminal is higher than that of a conventional pier, the introduction of such a terminal increases productivity, so pier competitiveness increases in the long run. Also, by using a battery-type automated guided vehicle (AGV), carbon emissions in the port can be greatly reduced.

□ In addition, if the port becomes technology-intensive, it is expected to gain an edge in competition with overseas advanced ports, and to promote the development of the port industry through policy support for domestic equipment, parts and systems.

□ In particular, today's global shipping companies prefer automated piers with higher productivity for cost reduction due to the operation of super-large ships. Therefore, automation of piers is expected to be an important key to winning in competition with advanced ports.

□ In addition, the large-scale port infrastructure development project will revitalize the local economy, leading to benefits including added value in the region worth KRW 269.9 billion, production of KRW 621.7 billion, and about 6,000 in employment.

□ IPA's Vice President of Construction Division Hong Seong-so said, "The development of the Incheon New Port Phase 1-2 container pier will improve port competitiveness by securing safety and increasing productivity, and greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy."