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Ocean Network Express completed an indirect equity stake in Dongwon Global Terminal Busan on Monday, securing long-term berth access at South Korea’s first fully automated container terminal as the carrier moves to anchor capacity across its Asia network.
The Singapore-headquartered carrier said it acquired a meaningful share in DGT through a partnership agreement with Dongwon Group, the South Korean conglomerate that owns and operates the facility at Busan New Port. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Terminal capacity at stake
The investment carries significant operational weight. DGT is the largest single terminal in South Korea, covering a total area of 420,000 pyeong and capable of handling more than 4.5 million TEU annually. Dongwon The terminal utilizes automated guided vehicle operations Splash247, placing it among the more technologically advanced port facilities in Northeast Asia.
Upon completion of its final development stage, the terminal will include five berths spanning 1,750 meters and one feeder berth of 385 meters, according to ONE’s announcement. The expanded capacity positions DGT as a significant throughput node for intra-Asia and transshipment cargo.
Busan’s role as transshipment hub
For ONE, the move is primarily about reliability. The carrier operates a fleet of more than 260 vessels with a capacity exceeding 2 million TEU and provides container shipping services to more than 120 countries. ONE Securing preferential terminal access at a major transshipment hub reduces ONE’s exposure to berth availability constraints that have affected carriers during periods of port congestion across Asia.
Hiroki Tsujii, Global Chief Officer of ONE’s Product and Network division, said the partnership supports long-term growth ambitions and ensures consistent service for customers. He added that securing direct access to capacity in the region enables more reliable connections within Asia and the broader global network.
Alliance and competitive context
The partnership comes at a time when Dongwon, South Korea’s largest fishing company, has repeatedly been tipped as a potential bidder for HMM Splash247, South Korea’s flagship container carrier. Any shift in DGT’s ownership structure could carry implications for the terminal’s commercial relationships and berth allocation priorities, though no transaction involving HMM has been confirmed.
ONE’s investment reflects a broader industry trend of carriers seeking equity positions in terminal infrastructure to stabilize network performance amid ongoing volatility in global trade lanes.
