Resumption of Korea-China Passenger Ferry Operations... After 3 Years and 7 Months of Suspension Due to COVID-19

Passenger Ship Departure on the 11th from 'Wihe' to 'Pyeongtaek' Route

Korea-China international passenger ferry service will resume after 3 years and 7 months.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 10th that the passenger ferry New Grand Peace will depart from Weihai Port, China, carrying about 100 passengers on the afternoon of the 11th, and is scheduled to arrive at Pyeongtaek Port on the morning of the 12th. This marks the resumption of passenger transport on the Korea-China international passenger ferry service, which had been limited to cargo transport due to COVID-19 for the past 3 years and 7 months.

In addition to the Pyeongtaek-Weihai route, passenger transport is expected to resume on the Incheon-Qingdao route on the 11th, and the Pyeongtaek-Yantai and Incheon-Weihai routes on the 13th, based on departures from China. However, schedules may change depending on port conditions in China and weather situations.

There are a total of 15 Korea-China international passenger ferry routes. Before the suspension of passenger transport in 2019, about 2 million passengers used these routes annually. Considering the easing of quarantine policies in both countries and passenger demand, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries decided on March 20 to normalize passenger transport on Korea-China international passenger ferries. Accordingly, ferry operators have been preparing by hiring crew members and refurbishing cabins, while the ministry has conducted safety inspections of the Korea-China international passenger ferries and passenger terminals, as well as joint mock immigration and emigration exercises with related agencies.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to continue cooperating and preparing with Chinese port authorities to resume passenger transport on other routes as soon as possible.

Minister Cho Seung-hwan of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said, "The resumption of Korea-China passenger transport will not only be a relief for ferry operators and local economies that have suffered due to COVID-19, but is also expected to contribute to strengthening friendly relations between Korea and China. We will also ensure passenger safety by conducting regular inspections of international passenger ferries and terminals."

New Grand Peace.
[Photo by Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]

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