THE Busan Port Authority (BPA) has appointed Dongwon Consortium as the preferred bidder through an open bidding competition, reports London's Ship Technology.

Last September, BPA conducted a provisional lease contract signing ceremony, which was attended by BPA chief executive Nam Ki-chan and Dongwon Consortium CEO Park Sung-soon.

The Dongwon Consortium will run a terminal with six berths, which will offer three berths for 20,000-TEU vessels, with future phases, offering two berths, and a feeder terminal.

The terminal will have a 30-year lifespan, starting when phases begin operations in July 2023.

It will provide advanced loading services using automated equipment, including nine container cranes and 46 transfer cranes that BPA will set up.

"We tried our best to implement the request of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries as much as possible, such as additional verification of volume creation, review on legal feasibility, and consultation with shipping labour unions," said Mr Ki-chan.

"The provisional lease contract with the preferred bidder is the best solution, considering it is in line with the government policy of gradual transfer of container terminal functions to the New Port," said Mr Ki-chan.

"It will also stabilise port workers' jobs, lay the foundation for integrated terminal operation, address the excessive foreign capital issue in the New Port terminals, and secure the MSC Felixstowe record.