Maintaining pontoons at local trade ports and more… Upgrading navigation markers and waterfront facilities to build safe, comfortable port infrastructure
The Port Management Office of South Gyeongsang Province will begin maintenance work on 15 port facilities, investing a total of 2 billion KRW (100% provincially funded; about $1,320,000 USD) to preserve the operational functions of local trade ports and ensure safety for port users.
The office will concentrate administrative resources this year on timely repairs of aging facilities and on expanding safety infrastructure to prevent maritime accidents, with the goal of creating a safe, welcoming port environment.
First, the office will allocate 600 million KRW (about $396,000 USD) to maintain key mooring pontoons and associated vessels. It will repair and repaint four vessels—Masan No.7, Tongyeong No.3 and No.12, and Jangseungpo No.4—and conduct regular safety inspections and annual maintenance at 20 pontoon sites across the province.
The office will also carry out a full survey and coordinated overhaul of facilities directly tied to user safety. Fall-prevention equipment such as safety railings and barriers that have corroded from salt and sea air will be fully replaced, the visibility of life-saving boxes and rescue gear will be improved, and a comprehensive safety network will be established to eliminate blind spots within the ports.
Officials will also strengthen marine traffic safety and reinforce port infrastructure. Plans include installing a navigation marker in front of the east breakwater at Samcheonpo Port, refurbishing waterfront facilities at Okpo Port, and repairing and upgrading safety equipment (signage, life-saving gear, barriers, etc.) at local trade ports to proactively reduce the risk of groundings and passenger accidents.
In addition, the office will maintain welfare facilities (welfare halls and passenger terminals) to improve port workers’ well-being, remove abandoned vessels, and collect and process marine debris to create a cleaner, more pleasant port environment.
Park Jae-won, head of the Port Management Office, said, “Systematic inspections and prompt repairs of port facilities are the foundation of safe operations. By building a field-focused, tightly woven safety network and closely managing infrastructure, we will provide port services that residents can trust.”
South Gyeongsang Province — Jeong Do-jeong, reporter sos6831@viva100.com
