Lee Kyung-gyu, President of Incheon Port Authority, "Challenging 3.6 Million TEU Container Throughput"

Actively Attracting New Shipping Routes Beyond China and Southeast Asia

Incheon Port Authority aims to achieve a container throughput of 3.6 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) this year, challenging to break its record for the third consecutive year.

On the 4th, Lee Kyung-gyu, President of Incheon Port Authority, held a briefing at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Sejong Office and stated, "We plan to strengthen proactive marketing, pioneer new shipping routes, revitalize marine tourism, and expand port infrastructure through various strategies."

The authority is diversifying shipping routes to quickly respond to changes in the global logistics market. Moving away from routes mainly focused on China and Southeast Asia, it aims to actively attract new routes, targeting the opening of 70 new routes this year.

President Lee said, "We will conduct focused marketing targeting new ships in 2025 and expand 'port sales' activities to attract supply and consumption cargo from the metropolitan area, such as e-commerce and K-Food, to Incheon Port. Additionally, we will resolve difficulties faced by import-export logistics companies to strengthen Incheon Port's export competitiveness."

Efforts will also be made to revitalize cruises and car ferries. To promote marine tourism, the goal is set to attract 1.35 million passengers this year. Through multifaceted marketing, 32 cruise calls (15 calls in 2024) will be attracted, and among them, the number of homeport cruises linking airports and ports will be expanded to 16 calls (5 calls in 2024).

President Lee also announced changes to the coastal passenger terminal. Incheon City is introducing the ‘i Bada Pass’ to allow Incheon citizens to use coastal passenger services for a one-way fare of 1,500 won. The authority plans to strengthen administrative support in preparation for the resulting increase in passengers.

Efforts will be made to expand port infrastructure as well. The authority plans to complete the substructure construction of the Incheon New Port Phase 1-2 container berth within this year, aiming to build a fully automated port.

President Lee stated that they will optimize logistics flow using digital technology and thoroughly prepare for the creation of an automated port based on demand forecasting. He said, "The construction of the second phase site of the Aam Logistics Complex 2 is progressing smoothly with an 80% completion rate, and the smart logistics center will also be completed and operated without delay this year."

Furthermore, projects to build an eco-friendly port and strengthen security will proceed without setbacks. To reduce carbon emissions, the introduction of electric-powered port equipment will be expanded, and facilities for supplying shore power to ships will be enhanced to create a sustainable logistics environment.

President Lee said, “We will focus our capabilities to proactively respond to the rapidly changing domestic and international economic situations and the global shipping and port environment so that Incheon Port can leap forward as a global port and continue to grow as a marine tourism hub.”

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