BUSAN port in South Korea handled a record-high volume of cargo last year, driven by an increase in transhipment cargo.

According to Busan Port Authority, the port handled 24.8m teu of container traffic, representing a 2% increase on the previous year. This marks the third consecutive year of growth in cargo throughput at the port since 2023.

This achievement is all the more impressive given it was made during last year’s global trade crisis, which was caused by uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies.

BPA said: “The wave of protectionism put pressure on import and export cargo volume growth, but we successfully overcame this challenge through solid transhipment cargo growth.”

In 2025, transshipment cargo accounted for 57% of the total cargo volume, up by 4.4% to 14.1m teu. This strengthened the port’s position as the world’s second-largest transhipment hub after Singapore port. 

Roughly 80% of the port’s transhipment cargo was handled by foreign carriers, while the remaining 20% was handled by domestic carriers.

Digitalisation has helped the transformation with the port’s Transhipment Shuttle System (TSS), a real-time information linkage platform designed to maximise the efficiency of transhipment operations between different terminals, cutting port truck waiting times by more than 50% while backhaul rates have more than tripled.

The improvements have led to Busan being used as a transhipment hub, with the Gemini Alliance now routing cargo originating from northern China via Busan and the Premier Alliance also planning to move routes there from April.

Busan port has set its sights on achieving a throughput of 25.4m teu this year. This represents an increase of 500,000 teu over last year and leverages the port’s strength in transshipment.

BPA said, “While stable growth in import and export volumes is uncertain due to external factors such as variable tariff policies and global supply chain reshuffling, Busan port remains committed to becoming the world’s number one transhipment hub through digital innovation and enhanced transhipment functions.”