West Sea's Northernmost Yeonpyeong Island 'One-Day Living Zone'... Increased Ferry Services with Semi-Public Operation System

Operating Twice Daily, Morning and Afternoon, Starting in August

Flying Cafe Ferry operating between Incheon and Yeonpyeongdo [Photo by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] From Incheon mainland , the number of passenger ferry trips to Yeonpyeongdo has increased, making a one-day living zone possible.

Incheon City announced on the 4th that the Incheon-Yeonpyeong route has been converted to a quasi-public operation system since August, and passenger ferries are now operating twice daily on schedule.

The passenger ferry departing from Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal to Yeonpyeongdo leaves at 8:00 AM and 1:15 PM, while the ferry from Yeonpyeongdo to Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal departs at 10:30 AM and 3:45 PM.

As a result, about 2,100 residents of Yeonpyeongdo, who previously needed at least 2 nights and 3 days for hospital visits, government office visits, or family events on the mainland, can now make round trips within a single day. Tourists are also expected to visit Yeonpyeongdo more conveniently.

The Incheon-Yeonpyeong route was selected in February this year through a public offering for quasi-public passenger ferry operators promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. However, the start of scheduled operations was delayed due to shallow water caused by sediment deposited in the entire route area of Yeonpyeongdo Port, making ferry navigation difficult.

The Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office carried out emergency maintenance dredging on the Yeonpyeong route, dredging up to 105,000 cubic meters of sediment.

As a result, the average depth, which was previously 2 meters, was secured up to 3.5 meters, resolving the shallow water issue that threatened vessel navigation, and greatly improving conditions for preventing vessel safety accidents and for entry and exit.

Meanwhile, the 'Quasi-Public Passenger Ferry System' promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries since 2018 is a project that selects routes where a one-day living zone has not been established or routes that have been in deficit for two consecutive years, among routes operated by private operators using their own vessels, and supports the operators' operating losses with national funds.

Currently, 14 routes nationwide are operated under the quasi-public system, and Incheon operates the most with six quasi-public routes nationwide, starting with the Incheon-Baengnyeong route in 2018.

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