The bustling port city of Busan has always been a strategic location, a nexus point where all logistics functions including rail, sea, air, and highway seamlessly blend. Today, it’s also making a name for itself as the cutting-edge hub for railway technology and logistics in Northeast Asia. This development is being showcased at the currently ongoing RailLog Korea 2023, a globally competitive exhibition for railway technology, interior fittings, infrastructure, and logistics.
Now in its 11th edition, RailLog Korea has cemented its place as the fourth largest railway show worldwide, featuring over 970 booths from 120 companies spanning 14 countries. The event commenced on June 14th at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) and is co-hosted by Busan Metropolitan City, the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), the National Railway Administration, and SR Corporation.
RailLog Korea, biennially held since 2003, is marked as a key venue to witness the future of railways. It stands at a strategic position geographically, being the start and end point of the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) network. The exhibition presents a unique potential for growth, providing visitors and exhibitors a platform to discuss and explore the future of rail technology and infrastructure.
At this year’s exhibition, Busan Metropolitan City is making waves by unveiling the model for the world’s first low-carbon eco-friendly hydrogen railway vehicle, the ‘BuTX’. The unveiling of this model is a significant development for the railway industry and sustainable transport systems. The BuTX, designed as a high-speed express train, is envisioned as the key infrastructure for a successful hosting of the World Expo in 2030.
The BuTX will operate on a 47.9 km track between the new Gadeokdo International Airport and the Osiria Tourism Complex, passing through six stations, including those in Busan North Port and the Haeundae area. The hydrogen-powered train will travel at an operational speed of 180 kilometers per hour (maximum speed of 198 km/h) in a deep 40-meter underground tunnel, cutting the travel time to North Port to just 15 minutes and to the Osiria Tourism Complex to 26 minutes.
Besides the exhibition of this game-changing technology, various ancillary events have been organized at RailLog Korea 2023. This includes operation of a Busan promotional pavilion for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid, export consultation sessions, technology seminars, and job fairs conducted by railway public corporations and large enterprises.
Participation is not only limited to Korean entities. Various international manufacturers of railway vehicles, such as Hyundai Rotem, Woojin Industrial Systems, and Dawon Systems, have made their presence felt, showcasing their latest technologies.
Busan Mayor, Park Hyeong-joon, in his statement, conveyed his hopes that the exhibition will serve to broaden the recognition of South Korea’s railway industry’s technical prowess and vowed to make every effort to ensure the event’s success.
The exhibition is operating as a business day for industry insiders from 14th to 16th June, and on the final day, June 17th, it will be open for public viewing, allowing for a broader appreciation of the latest in rail technologies.
As Busan looks toward the future, it’s clear that the city is committed to leading the way in sustainable and innovative railway solutions. And if RailLog Korea 2023 is any indication, the future looks promising indeed.
