120 Billion Won Support for Large Passenger Ships on Incheon~Baengnyeong Route... Ongjin-gun Announces Priority Negotiator Selection Notice

2000t-class Harmony Flower Ship Ceases Operation in May 2023
Ongjin-gun Supports Passenger Ships to Ensure Stable Maritime Mobility for Island Residents

The 2,700-ton large passenger ship Harmony Flower operating on the Incheon~Baengnyeong route
[Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Ongjin-gun, Incheon is actively supporting the introduction of large passenger ships on the Incheon~Baengnyeong route.

Ongjin-gun announced on the 31st that it will hold a public notice until September 7 to select a preferred negotiator for the "Baengnyeong Route Large Passenger Ship Introduction Support Project."

The county plans to provide a total of 12 billion KRW over 10 years to passenger ship companies that introduce and operate newly built ultra-high-speed cafe ferries of 2,000 tons or more on the Incheon~Baengnyeong route to secure stable maritime mobility rights for residents and tourists of Baengnyeongdo, Daecheongdo, and Socheongdo.

The Harmony Flower, the only 2,000-ton class passenger ship currently operating on the Baengnyeong route, is scheduled to cease operation in May 2023 due to the ship age limit (25 years) under the Maritime Transport Act. However, there is currently no plan to introduce or operate a large passenger ship to replace the Harmony Flower.

Passenger ships of 2,000 tons or more can operate freely even in bad weather, making them essential vessels to improve the living conditions of island residents.

Accordingly, Ongjin-gun decided to provide a total of 10 billion KRW over 10 years and held a public contest for the large passenger ship introduction support project in February this year. However, since no companies applied, the total support amount was increased by 2 billion KRW, and the second public contest is now underway.

An official from Ongjin-gun stated, "The Incheon~Baengnyeong route is highly affected by weather conditions such as storms and fog, with cancellation rates reaching 15-20% annually. To ensure stable passenger ship operations and secure maritime mobility rights for island residents, the operation of cafe ferries of 2,000 tons or more is essential," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the operation of a newly built large passenger ship can begin before the Harmony Flower ceases operation through this large passenger ship support project."

In addition, Ongjin-gun plans to work with central government agencies and Incheon City to secure national funding support, as the large passenger ship introduction support project has been included in the mid- to long-term review projects of the West Sea Five Islands Comprehensive Development Plan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.