Incheon Port Q1 Cargo Volume Down 7.7%... Incheon Port Authority Strengthens Marketing

As the volume of import and export cargo at Incheon Port has decreased this year, the Incheon logistics industry and related organizations have jointly responded to attract cargo.

On the 14th, the Incheon Port Authority (IPA) held a task force (TF) meeting to revitalize import and export logistics at Incheon Port at the IPA headquarters, attended by officials from the Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office and four container terminal operators at Incheon Port.

The attendees shared the status of cargo handling by container terminal in the first quarter of this year and the difficulties faced in the logistics field, and discussed various measures to increase cargo volume. In particular, IPA decided to establish an emergency response system led by agency heads and executives and strengthen marketing activities targeting client companies.

Additionally, IPA plans to enhance one-on-one customized responses for container and ferry shipping companies and terminal operators, and widely promote the strengths of Incheon Port’s specialized cargo, such as e-commerce and sea-air combined transport (Sea&Air).

Lee Kyung-kyu, President of Incheon Port Authority (fifth from the left), and representatives of Incheon Port container terminals are reaffirming their commitment to increasing cargo volume. Incheon Port Authority

IPA took measures after the container cargo volume at Incheon Port in the first quarter of this year (January to March) dropped by 7.7% compared to the same period last year, totaling 800,000 TEUs (1 TEU equals one 20-foot container).

The annual container cargo volume at Incheon Port set record highs for two consecutive years with 3.46 million TEUs in 2023 and 3.56 million TEUs last year, but shifted to a declining trend this year due to the tariff policies of the second Trump administration in the U.S. and domestic economic stagnation.

Lee Kyung-gyu, president of IPA, said, "We plan to conduct joint marketing activities in the U.S. region next month," adding, "We will actively collaborate with related organizations and companies to generate cargo volume at Incheon Port."