Seven Years After the Sewol Ferry Disaster, Sea Route Opens... Incheon-Jeju Passenger Ferry Launches

Incheon~Jeju Passenger Ship 'Beyond Trust'
[Photo by Incheon Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The ferry route between Incheon and Jeju, which had been suspended for over seven years since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, has reopened.

On the morning of the 10th, the Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office held a launching ceremony for the Incheon-Jeju ferry route at the yard of the Jeju-bound pier (formerly the International Passenger Terminal) at Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal.

The event was attended by Cho Taeksang, Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development of Incheon City, Hong Inseong, Mayor of Jung-gu, Incheon, Hong Jongwook, Director of Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, and Shin Hyundae, President of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. The ceremony included a report on the shipbuilding progress, presentation of plaques of appreciation, and a safety navigation prayer performance.

The first ferry operation on the Incheon-Jeju route will begin at 7 p.m. that day. The route will be served by the 27,000-ton class ferry (combined passenger and cargo ship) named 'Beyond Trust.'

This ferry is 170 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 28 meters high, capable of carrying 850 passengers, 487 passenger cars, and 65 containers, and can operate at a maximum speed of 23.2 knots (approximately 43 km/h). The operator is HiDex Storage.

The ferry departs from Incheon Port every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 p.m., arriving at Jeju Port at 9:30 a.m. the following day. From Jeju Port, it departs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8:30 p.m., arriving at Incheon Port at 10 a.m. the next day.

Meanwhile, the Beyond Trust ferry emphasizes passenger safety in accordance with strengthened safety regulations following the Sewol disaster.

It is designed with low weight and low center of gravity to maximize stability during navigation. It is equipped with maritime escape systems (MES), satellite navigation devices, automatic fire alarms, sprinklers, and other safety equipment to prepare for emergencies such as flooding or fire.

It also applies a real-time navigation information system previously used in aircraft, allowing passengers to check the current location, travel distance, speed, and estimated arrival time.

The operation of the Incheon-Jeju ferry route had been suspended for over seven years since Cheonghaejin Marine Company, which operated the Sewol and Ohamana (6,322-ton class) ferries, had its license revoked in May 2014.

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