A group of South Korean researchers has developed technology for three-dimensional inspection of container cargo that could reduce processing time and costs.

The Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering of the country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries claims it is the first facility in the world to develop the technology after nine years of research and $22.36 million in funding.

The 3D system claims one-tenth the inspection times of 2D devices by completing the job in a single view. 2D machines need separate horizontal and vertical views of the cargo being inspected.

The ministry estimates that the time to process 640,000 TEU of South Korea annual exports to the US will be shortened by 90,000 hours with a manpower cost reduction of $500,000.

A ministry official said the machines will be installed after seven months of functional tests and verifications.