Yeosu Geomundo, Urgent Need for New Large Passenger Ship Berth Construction

Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun, Passenger Ship Cancellation Rate Nationwide Average 16.4%... Yeosu-Geomun Route 46%

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] Joo Cheol-hyun, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (Jeonnam Yeosu-si Gap), proposed the construction of a "large passenger ship docking pier" as a solution to the frequent cancellations on the Jeonnam Yeosu-Geomun route, which has a cancellation rate nearly three times higher than the national coastal passenger ship cancellation rate.

On the 3rd, during the 2022 National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee budget inquiry, Assemblyman Joo Cheol-hyun urged Minister Moon Sung-hyuk of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to emphasize the necessity of building a large passenger ship pier at Geomundo Port and requested the allocation of a budget for a feasibility study.

According to Assemblyman Joo Cheol-hyun, out of 1,902 passenger ship trips between Yeosu and Geomundo last year, 970 were canceled, showing a 49% cancellation rate, and as of April 2021, the cancellation rate remained high at 46%.

Despite the prolonged impact of COVID-19 and the high cancellation rate of passenger ships, the number of tourists visiting Geomundo has exceeded 190,000 in 2018 and 250,000 last year.

Assemblyman Joo argues that the high cancellation rate not only infringes on the residents' only maritime transportation rights but could also significantly affect the marine tourism demand in Yeosu.

Geomundo is a representative island marine tourism destination on the southern coast and serves as a hub for abundant seafood, but it lacks even a pier and connecting bridge where large passenger ships that also carry cargo can dock, he pointed out.

Moreover, most large high-speed passenger ships operating to Jeju pass near Geomundo and are seeking to utilize it as an intermediate port for marine tourism and seafood distribution logistics, but there are no docking facilities for large passenger ships over 2,000 tons.

Assemblyman Joo Cheol-hyun emphasized, "Passenger ships in island areas are not just boats but essentially the only public transportation," adding, "They are the foundation of all life, supporting residents' livelihoods, tourist convenience, and fishermen's work."

He continued, "Considering Geomundo Port's historical background and abundant marine resources, it has tremendous potential," and pledged, "I will ensure the budget is reflected to proceed with a feasibility study for the construction of a large passenger ship docking pier at Geomundo."

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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