A state-of-the-art smart logistics center will be built in the hinterland of ports in Busan and Incheon.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Minister Moon Seong-hyuk), together with Busan Port Authority (Chairman Ki-chan Nam) and Incheon Port Authority (Chairman Joon-wook Choi), applied advanced digital logistics technology to the Seocon hinterland of the new port of Busan and the south port of Incheon (Aam Logistics Complex 2) by 2024. It was announced on the 7th that it has decided to build a smart joint logistics center.
The Smart Joint Logistics Center automatically manages the incoming and outgoing logistics centers and inventory through advanced logistics facilities such as robots, IoT sensors, artificial intelligence, facilities, and operating systems, and detects and prevents facility failures in advance. It is the center. Compared to existing distribution centers, it is known that picking time for taking out goods to be shipped from the distribution center storage area is reduced by 15%, operation cost is reduced by more than 20%, and productivity is increased by more than 10%.
In the case of import and export ports, in the past, shippers have often installed a distribution center and operated simply to store cargo. However, with the recent expansion of the e-commerce market and the revitalization of non-face-to-face economic activities due to Corona 19, the demand for smart logistics centers that can quickly process goods and manage real-time inventory by combining advanced technology is increasing as cargo volume increases and items are diversified. did.
On the other hand, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) residing in the port hinterland have been hoping to move into joint logistics centers that are built and rented by the government or public institutions for a long time because it is difficult to independently build and operate a logistics center that requires a lot of initial investment.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries decided to establish two smart joint logistics centers at Incheon Port and Busan Port by 2024 as one of the’Korean New Deal Projects’. It plans to respond to changes in global logistics demand, such as expanding e-commerce, and to ease the investment burden of SMEs.
The Busan Port Smart Joint Logistics Center decided to focus on securing new cargo volume by supporting small and medium logistics companies and start-up companies based on its excellent port infrastructure, and for shared growth with small and medium logistics companies. The Incheon Port Smart Joint Logistics Center plans to increase the creation of added value through China’s ferry transportation service, Sea & Air linkage with Incheon Airport, and sea express customs clearance system.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will invest a total of 134 billion won, including 40.2 billion won in national expenditure and 93.8 billion won for the port construction, to build these distribution centers. This year, 3.6 billion won was first reflected in the design and construction cost of the Incheon Port logistics center. Incheon Port Authority will start designing this year and supply the distribution center by 2022, and Busan Port Authority will also start designing from next year and finish construction by 2024.
When the Smart Joint Logistics Center is established, it is expected to reduce the cost burden of companies through joint transportation and delivery, and contribute to innovation in the overall logistics company by introducing smart technologies such as unmanned forklifts, multifunctional conveyor belts, and unmanned transport robots (AGVs). .
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries expects to create 2,400 new jobs, 40,000 TEUs (one 20-foot container), and reduce logistics costs of about 2 billion won per year through the establishment of two smart joint logistics centers.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries plans to develop a logistics platform for operation in close consultation with the Port Authority, considering that the port-type smart joint logistics center will be introduced for the first time in Korea. It will also review and prepare plans to support tenant companies, such as setting reasonable rents.
Kim Jun-seok, head of the shipping and logistics bureau of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, “We expect this smart joint logistics center to not only reduce logistics costs, but also contribute to revitalization of the harbor hinterland.” I will excavate and promote it.”
Busan Port Authority President Nam Ki-chan said, “We have built a smart joint logistics center incorporating state-of-the-art information and communication technologies (Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, etc.) suitable for the status of Busan Port in the 4th industrial era to provide customized logistics services centered on consumers. We will support the attraction of global logistics companies, logistics innovation of SMEs, and new startups.”
Busan = Reporter Taehyun Kim [email protected]