• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.232-238
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• 2024

This study examines the effectiveness of Gamcheon Port's leading lights in reflecting the characteristics of ship traffic entering the port. The leading light of Gamcheon Port was proposed and installed in 1996 during the basic design process of supplementing the port's route signs for the entry and exit of 4,000 TEU container ships. Since then, it has been improved to accommodate the entry of 50,000 DWT general cargo ships and to reflect the crane height of Hanjin Pier, as a result of a review study conducted by the Busan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Administration to improve the still temperature of Gamcheon Port by relocating existing outer facilities. However, an analysis of the current characteristics of maritime traffic at Gamcheon Port reveals that maritime traffic congestion is smooth and the proportion of small and medium-sized ships under 10,000 tons is higher than that of large ships, resulting in decreased efficiency of the leading lights to respond to the entry of large ships. Nevertheless, considering the increasing CAGR of the entry ratio of ships of 30,000 tons or more by 8.45%, preparations for the anticipated increase in the proportion of large ships entering the port in the future are necessary, and it is preferable to maintain the function of the leading lights rather than demolishing the entrance to Gamcheon Port. The narrow nature of the Gamcheon Port route poses a higher risk of collision when ships entering and exiting encounter each other, which can burden the navigator. Therefore, instead of maintaining the function of the leading lights, it is possible to relocate the conduction light to reduce maintenance burden and install a direction light in its place. When installing the direction light, it is worth considering using Double Sector Lights instead of the currently installed Single Sector Lights at nearby Busan Bukhang Port, as the former can improve user satisfaction by providing a clearer middle line and reducing difficulties in distinguishing between points.