Seeking Measures to Revitalize Incheon Bukhang Port Amid 'Cargo Volume Decline'... Research Service Initiated

Incheon North Port panorama
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon Port Authority is seeking ways to revitalize Incheon Bukhang, where cargo volume is gradually decreasing.

On the 21st, the authority held a kickoff meeting for a research project on revitalizing Bukhang operations, attended by officials from Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, Incheon Port Logistics Association, Incheon Port Labor Union, and Bukhang Wharf operators.

Through the research project, the authority plans to specifically analyze the current operation and development status of Incheon Bukhang and derive improvement measures to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. A mid-term report will be held in December this year, with completion scheduled for the first half of next year.

As the container terminal operation system of Incheon Port rapidly reorganizes around the New Port, Bukhang, like the Inner Port, has seen a steady decline in cargo volume. The New Port, opened in 2015, now accounts for about 60% of the total cargo volume of Incheon Port.

An official from Incheon Port Authority stated, "We initiated this research project to lay the groundwork for driving the sustainable development of Bukhang," adding, "We will prepare improvement measures to overcome the financial difficulties of wharf operators and enhance the efficiency of port operations."