Busan Port Authority, the state-controlled operator of Korea’s harbor, aims to build terminals overseas as part of a $2 billion government-led investment plan designed to boost traffic at the nation’s ports.

According to the Korean Herald, the port operator my invest in Zarubino, northeast Russia, Rajin in North Korea and in Vung Tau, Vietnam, General Manager Park Ho-chul was quoted as saying in an interview at a shipping conference in Shanghai on Wednesday. It is contributing $100 million to the investment fund, he added.

Korea’s role as an Asian sea-cargo hub is under threat because the increasing number of direct shipping services form China to the U.S. and Europe is allowing exporters to bypass its direct ports. Traffic at Busan, the world’s fifth-busiest container port, grew at the slowest pace in 16 years in 2006.

“We’re turning our eyes on other countries to attract transshipment cargo,” Park said.