Having been built at a cost of 1 trillion won (US$1billion) and completed on January 19, the port of Busan in Korea has failed to attract a single shipment. The only bustling activity to be seen around the port is a series of trial runs, so that when cargo comes into the port, processing can be executed as swiftly as possible.

The port is losing out to the Chinese rival of Yangshan, which opened in December 2005, and which by way of contrast, processes on average two to three ships on weekdays and four on weekends. The reason Yangshan is so appealing is its prices, which are 20% cheaper than other ports in Shanghai, and the fact that its customs process is simpler attracts cargo companies too.