The Port of Kaohsiung has embarked on four new terminal modernizations that will increase electrification, automation and improve cargo-handling efficiencies, according to Ava Hsu, a Port spokeswoman.
During a briefing for AJOT by Port officials on June 14th, the following upgrades to the Port’s infrastructure were emphasized:
- The new Evergreen terminal at Terminal 7 is operational and utilizes an automated system to load and unload vessels as well as electrified rail mounted cranes. The terminal can process 4.5 million TEUs per year.
- The new Yang Ming terminal at Terminal 6 is also operational and has the capacity to handle 3 million TEUs per year. It is supported by electrified rail mounted cranes that facilitate internal cargo moves and reduced emissions, according to Jay Hsing, Container Terminal Business Unit.
- At terminal 5, Wan Hai will share its space with the Korean carrier HMM. The Wan Hai terminal is under construction and will be automated and is expected to process 2 million TEUs per year. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
Other features include:
- Automated rail mounted cranes
- Autonomous truck and fleet management
- Electronic battery system and charging
- Remote reefer monitoring
- Automated damage inspection
Ryan Wu, Planning Section Port Business Division, said that as the carriers vacated older cramped terminals with shallower ship channel drafts, they will have transitioned to new larger sites with modern electrified cargo handling equipment. The new terminals will also benefit from a deeper ship channel depth of 17 meters (56 feet).
Hsu said that 80 wharves at the Port have shore power which has helped reduce emissions. The Port has installed solar panels on the roofs of some buildings and in 2023 generated 9.18 million kilowatt hours of solar energy. Between 2022-2023, the Port reduced its emissions by 1,000 tons.
Hsing noted that the Port advises ocean carriers to reduce vessel speed so that vessels proceed at 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the Port. The Port also encourages ships to switch over from heavy fuel oil to diesel fuel when reaching 5 nautical miles from the Port.
Hsu noted that the Port also plans to build a new petrochemical and storage area and move existing petrochemical terminals and storage tanks to the new location so as to centralize operations.
Kaohsiung processed 8.8 million TEUs in 2023, down from 9.5 million TEUs in 2022, but maintained its position as the 18th busiest container port.
Hsu said the Port has supervised modernization of the old waterfront area so as to redevelop older warehouses into retail uses including restaurants and a new cruise ship terminal.
As part of this Port redevelopment, old warehouses at Pier 2 were recently featured on the news station Taiwan Plus which described the area as a trendy new destination for tourists and locals. It is served by an electrified tram system. The Taiwan Plus segment said that the transition from warehousing to retail uses is enhanced by a bridge that swings open for small vessel traffic. It is changing the face of the old Port making it more modern, artistic and people-friendly.
