The government will invest 37.4 billion won to prevent flooding and enhance earthquake resilience at Gunsan Port's Docks 4 and 5. The plan includes raising the height of the aging docks by 50 centimeters and conducting seismic reinforcement work, with the project expected to be completed by July 2029.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on November 8 that construction on the facility improvement project for Docks 4 and 5 will begin on November 9. Gunsan Port serves as a major logistics hub in the central western region, handling cargo from the Gunsan National Industrial Complex and surrounding industrial areas. Docks 4 and 5, completed in 1997 and 2000 respectively, are primarily used for processing imported and exported vehicles.
However, these docks have faced concerns due to aging infrastructure and lower heights compared to other docks, raising the risk of flooding from rising sea levels. In response, the Ministry will invest 37.4 billion won to elevate the docks by 0.5 meters and carry out reinforcement work to prepare for earthquakes.
The seismic performance improvements will incorporate the latest design standards, aiming to enhance the structural stability of the docks to withstand strong tremors equivalent to a magnitude of 6.
Previously, the Ministry announced a plan in 2023 to strengthen climate change responses at ports and surrounding areas, targeting maintenance for 82 ports and harbors nationwide by 2032. This initiative includes reinforcing breakwaters and outer port facilities and expanding disaster prevention infrastructure to mitigate flooding risks in adjacent areas.
The Gunsan Port project will involve raising the dock surface height and reinforcing the caissons, which are large structures that form the dock walls.
The project gained momentum in June 2023 when the basic design phase began. After completing the detailed design in October of the previous year, the Ministry issued a construction order in June of this year. Construction is set to commence this month, with a goal of completion by July 2029.
Once the improvements are completed, it is expected that the risk of damage to port facilities from rising sea levels and earthquakes will be reduced, ensuring stable cargo handling conditions.
Park Do-hyup, Director of the Port Bureau at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "This facility improvement project for Gunsan Port's Docks 4 and 5 aims to enhance the safety of aging port facilities in response to climate change. We will continue to improve port facilities to create safe and efficient operational conditions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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