Improved Accessibility and Convenience... Surge in Tourists
The Yeosu~Geomun route in Yeosu, Jeonnam has become a daily commuting zone thanks to the launch of a high-speed passenger ferry, receiving enthusiastic responses from both residents and tourists.
According to Yeosu City on the 19th, the operation of the high-speed passenger ferry "Hamel-ho," which makes two round trips per day, has established a daily commuting zone for island residents. In fact, the number of tourists visiting Geomundo increased by about 10,000 (188%) during the two months (August to September) that "Hamel-ho" operated, compared to the same period last year.
The Yeosu?Geomun route in Yeosu City has become a one-day living zone with the launch of a high-speed passenger ferry, receiving great responses from residents and tourists alike. Provided by Yeosu City
The city expects that the launch of "Hamel-ho" will not only secure transportation rights for island residents but also contribute to revitalizing tourism.
In particular, Geomundo has been selected for the "K-Tourism Island Development Project" promoted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and 10 billion KRW will be invested over the next four years to expand tourism infrastructure.
The newly launched "Hamel-ho" is a state-of-the-art passenger ferry built at Damen Shipyard in the Netherlands. Traveling at a maximum speed of about 80 km/h, it can make the trip between Yeosu and Geomundo in just two hours. With a total tonnage of 590 tons, it can carry 423 passengers, increasing the passenger capacity by more than 80 compared to the previous ferry.
Departures from Yeosu Coastal Passenger Terminal are at 7:55 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., passing through Narodo, Sonjukdo, Chodo (Uiseong), and Seodo, taking about two hours to reach Geomundo. From Geomundo, there are two departures at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively.
As a result, the number of ferry trips to Geomundo has increased to three round trips per day, operated by a total of two companies, including the existing regular passenger ferry "West Green-ho." The fare for adults, excluding island residents, ranges from about 40,000 to 49,000 KRW, but a 50% discount is applied to support tourism and revitalize the island economy.
The process of launching the high-speed ferry was not easy. The Yeosu~Geomun route has been a deficit route, with frequent changes of operators and a very high cancellation rate for passenger ferries. With repeated suspensions and cancellations, residents of Samsan-myeon and tourists had to travel all the way to Nokdong Port to use the ferry.
As a result, dissatisfaction among Samsan-myeon residents grew, and they made several protest visits to related organizations such as the city and Yeosu Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, urging for solutions.
Of course, Yeosu City has also made every effort for several years to secure a new passenger ferry, visiting ferry companies and local governments nationwide with the goal of establishing a daily commuting zone for island residents.
However, as deficits were expected, all refused, and eventually, in 2021, the city enacted the "Yeosu City Passenger Ferry Operation Support Ordinance," establishing a basis for supporting ferry operators.
These efforts led to the selection of "KT Marine Co., Ltd." as the maritime passenger transport operator for the Yeosu~Geomun route in November last year, and the signing of a passenger ferry operation business agreement in January this year. After the launch ceremony on July 5, the ultra-high-speed passenger ferry "Hamel-ho" began full-scale operation on July 30.
Jeong Kimyeong, Mayor of Yeosu, said, "With Geomundo becoming a daily commuting zone ahead of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, we are receiving great responses from both residents and tourists. The fact that the long-cherished wish of Geomundo residents has been fulfilled after many years is very meaningful, and we will continue to do our best to provide safer maritime transportation services."
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