Incheon Port Authority Signs Friendship Agreement with Hebei Port Group in China... Revitalizing Ferry Routes

Incheon Port Authority (IPA) announced on the 10th that it has signed a friendship port business agreement with Hebei Port Group in China.

The two organizations signed the agreement the previous day in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China, and agreed to closely cooperate in seven areas, including revitalizing the ferry route, expanding e-commerce, supporting the growth of shipping and trade companies, fostering an eco-friendly and international logistics hub port, and promoting marine tourism.

Hebei Port Group, established in 2009, is a port operating organization that manages Qinhuangdao Port, Jingtang Port, and Huanghua Port.

This agreement marks the first case of cooperation between IPA and a port authority in northern China since IPA’s establishment. IPA explained that the agreement carries significant meaning, as a new 30,000-ton-class ferry is being constructed for the Incheon-Qinhuangdao route starting last month, and a new container route between Incheon Port, Jingtang Port, and Huanghua Port has recently been launched.

Lee Kyungkyu, President of Incheon Port Authority (right), and Cao Ziwei, Executive Director of Hebei Port Group in China, signed a friendship port business agreement on the 9th. Incheon Port Authority

As of last year, the Incheon-Qinhuangdao route handled 43,559 TEU through ferry services, and passenger transport is scheduled to resume in the second half of next year once the new ship is completed.

Lee Kyungkyu, President of IPA, stated, "Cooperation with ports in northern China is more important now than ever," adding, "I hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity to expand exchanges between Incheon Port and the ports of Hebei Province."

Meanwhile, following the signing ceremony, President Lee visited the Qinhuangdao city government, met with Vice Mayor Han Kai, and discussed ways to promote marine tourism using the ferry route and ensure the successful operation of the Sea&Rail integrated logistics transportation business.

He also inspected the construction site of the dedicated ferry berth at the Qinhuangdao container terminal and was briefed on the progress of the new ship and future cooperation tasks. At the site, President Lee requested, "Since this project represents a new turning point for marine tourism between the two ports, I ask that it be completed successfully."

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