• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.107-120
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• 2015

International logistics systems for cross-border trading aim not only to reduce costs and time, but also to maximize added value. For accuracy of shipping time, cost reduction, rapidity, and safety improvement, demand for Ro-Ro shipping as a global supply chain operating system has increased. To anticipate these demands, this study estimates the optimal demand and scale of Ro-Ro berth construction by analyzing shipping volumes between Korea and Japan. Based on Ro-Ro shipping speeds and distances between Korea and Japan, the shipping volume (container and general cargo) of Busan port is sorted into two separate zones. After analyzing the ratio of items that have great potential benefits from using Ro-Ro shipping, we estimate possible shipping volumes using Ro-Ro berth provision. The results reveal that two berths for 20,000t vessels are additionally required to accommodate the estimated volume. Results suggest the construction of an exclusive Ro-Ro berth in Busan port. This would not only accommodate the demand between Korea and Japan, but also provide a way to avoid the lean-to-one-side port policy.