“Largest 18 Ports in Korea”

Find Major Korean Port

South Korea is a country in East Asia located in the south-central part of the Korean headland. It’s surrounded by North Korea, the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea.

The major ports in Korea have been identified as a critical component of national economic vigor and industrial development. If you are looking for the ultimate shipping guide from and to South Korea, then you’ve found the place to be.

In this article, you will find the top 18 list of South Korean seaports. Read information about their advantage, latest TEU traffic, and more details.

Port of Busan
Port of Busan
79-9, Jungan-Dong 4GA Jung-Gu Busan 600-016 Korea, South

Port of Busan is Korea’s largest port and the 5th busiest container port in the world. This port is situated in Busan city, South Korea.

  • TEU: 21, 590,000 (2020)
  • North-East Asia’s largest shipment port
  • 6th busiest container port in terms of TEU’s in 2007
  • 10th busiest port in terms of overall capacity
  • Busan Port Authority (BPA) managed, established, and operates the port
  • Port handles petroleum, cargo consisting of fertilizers, sugar, etc.
Port of Donghae
Port of Donghae
806 Cheongok-dong Donghae City, Gangwon 240-716 Korea, South

Port of Donghae is the largest port in eastern South Korea, with enough depth of water. It also has very moderate tidal shifts to accommodate large international boats, including new container cargo.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Major cargoes exported: ferro-alloy and cement
  • Primary handled freights soft coal, limestone, breakbulk cement, and gypsum.
  • Controlled above 20 million tons of cargo annually
  • Serving around 3,600 vessels each year
  • Max. Size – LOA 225 meters, draught 12.5 meters, 60,000DWT
Port of Daesan
Port of Daesan
42 Hongcheonro (Jamheung-dong) Seosan-si Daesan, Chuncheongnam-do Korea, South

Port of Daesan is authorized by the Daesan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries. It is a mid-sized seaport of Korea.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Possess factory primarily manufacture petrochemical products
  • Major import – coal
  • Own an offshore SBM
Mukho Port
Mukho Port
806 Cheongok-dong Donghae City, Gangwon 240-716 Korea, South

The Mukho Port is a well-sheltered port through a breakwater and groin. This port is a significant refuge harbor with a considerable quantity of fishing boats.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Essentially transport iron ore and coal
  • Major export: graphite, coal, cement, and anthracite
  • Accommodate 70 vessels annually
  • Holds 6.4 million tons of cargo yearly
  • Max. Size – LOA 165 meters, draught 8.5 meters, 10,000DWT
Port of Gunsan
Port of Gunsan
1530-5 Soryong-dong Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do 573-882 Korea, South

The Port of Gunsan is a large-sized seaport located on the south side close to the entrance of the Kum Kang River, South Korea’s west-central coast.

  • TEU: 280,000
  • Comprises of berths for tanker, bulk, private passenger, general, container, and fishing port
  • Major export: rice
  • Annually handled: 1.4 million tons of cargo and about 1,938 vessels.
Port of Gwangyang
Port of Gwangyang
335-1 Sujeong-dong Yeosu City 550-705 Korea, South

Port of Gwangyang is a seaport situated in the city of Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Port consists of three areas
  • Handles export of steel coils
  • Import: limestone, coal, and ores
  • Holds crude oil and LPG/LNG, fertilizers, and petrochemicals
Port of Incheon
Port of Incheon
Seohaero 193 (1-17 7(chil)-ga Hang-dong) Jung-gu Incheon Korea, South

Port of Incheon is one of the country’s major core ports, serving Seoul. This port is Korea’s 2nd largest seaport.

  • TEU: 1,860,000
  • Port mainly handles bulk containers, fishing, breakbulk cargo vessels, dry and liquid bulk, ro-ro.
  • Port comprises of the tidal basin and outer harbors
  • Possess several dolphin berths and anchorage
  • Accommodated around 21,000 vessels and 149 million tons of cargo annually
Port of Jeju
Port of Jeju
Korea, South

Cruise ships and cargo exports pass through Jeju’s port. This port is located on the north coast of Jeju Island.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Well-sheltered via two breakwaters
  • Chief exports: eggs, marine products, barley, millet, and livestock
  • Top imports: textiles, cement, rice, liquors, petroleum, sugar, etc.
  • Maximum size – LOA 129 meters, draught 12.0 meters
Port of Janghang
Port of Janghang
270-3 Jangsan-ro, Janghang-eup, Seocheon-gun, Chungnam

Port of Janghang is a mid-sized port in South Korea, situated in the Seocheon region.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Port handles: Bulk Carrier and General Cargo ships
  • Maximum length – 123 meters
  • Draught – 7.2 meters
  • Deadweight – 10,861t
Port of Masan
Port of Masan
1-5 Wolpo-dong Masan-su 631-709 Korea, South

Port of Masan’s strategic location and ongoing expansion make it an essential gateway for the Pacific area, particularly for cargo lines amongst China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

  • TEU: 915,000 (SEPT. 2018)
  • It covers an area of 13,775 square meters
  • Primary imports: bulk cargoes, scrap metals, timber, and ore
  • Main exports: steel products, machinery, and vehicles
  • Port handles: general cargo and containers
  • Transported 150,000 cars by container terminal annually
  • Managed: 12.5 million tons of cargo each year
Port of Mokpo
Port of Mokpo
1101 Okam-Dong Mokpo city 530-831 Korea, South

The Port of Mokpo is a well-protected port through the vicinity and several adjoining islands. It is positioned on the southwest point of the Korean Peninsula.

  • TEU: 83,200 containerized cargo
  • It comprises three ports the New Port, Samhak Port, and Daebul Port
  • Port Handles containers, forest products, vehicles, fishing, shipbuilding, repair, etc.
  • Mainly trade cargoes and passengers.
Port of Pohang
Port of Pohang
Heunghae-eup, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Port of Pohang comprises two harbors, the Pohang Old Harbour (Guhang) and Pohang New Harbour (Shinhan). This port is situated on the east shore of South Korea.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Port handles fishing boats, passenger vessels, coastal cargo vessels, commercial vessels.
  • Major exports: steel, fish, and fish products
  • Top imports: petroleum, coal, and iron ore
  • Well-protected by breakwaters
  • Handling almost 52 million tons of cargo, 1,500 vessels, and 204,000 passengers per year
Port of Pyeongtaek
Port of Pyeongtaek
566 Manho-Ii Poseung-myun Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi 451-821 Korea, South

The Port of Pyeongtaek is an outsized multipurpose port area. It is situated 1.3 nautical miles west of Nomi Gak, on the west coast of the Korean peninsula.

  • TEU: 319,000
  • Pyeongtaek Regional Maritime Affairs and Port Office (Korean) operates and manages the port.
  • Mainly handles: containerized, dry, and liquid bulk, breakbulk cargoes, and ro-ro.
  • Primarily offers LNG thru their four Thermal Power Plants as well as to LNG/LPG gas carriers.
  • Provide ships with iron ore imports, coastal cargo, and steel product transport from area steel factories.
Port of Okpo
Port of Okpo
Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

In the middle of Yangjiam, Choi and a position of 1.75 nautical miles North West, the port of Okpo is built in.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Possess wide-ranging quayside and two floating docks
  • Vessels commonly trade are: fishing, tanker, cargo, oil products tanker
  • Draught – 28.0 meters
Port of Samcheok
Port of Samcheok
606 Songjung-dong Donghae City 240-716 Korea, South

Port of Samcheok is situated on the southeast coast of Korea, 4.5 nautical miles northwest of Pi Mal, on the north side of the Osib Chon gateway.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Fishing and mini commercial harbor
  • Main exports – cement
  • Handled oil and general cargoes
  • Surrounded by two breakwaters
Port of Sokcho
Port of Sokcho
606 Songjung-dong Donghae City 240-716 Korea, South

The Port of Sokcho, situated in Sokcho, South Korea, is one of the country’s deep-sea ports. This port is authorized by Donghae Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Port Type – Harbor
  • Anchor depth – 6.4 meters to 7.6 meters
  • Cargo depth – 6.4 meters to 7.6 meters
  • Excellent shelter
Port of Ulsan
Port of Ulsan
139-19, Maeamdong Namgu Ulsan Korea, South

Port of Ulsan is a large port in South Korea that comprises Onsen and Mipo. It lies on the edge of the southeast part of South Korea.

  • TEU: 332,000
  • Port mainly handles cruise vessels, general cargoes, LPG, oil and chemical products, etc.
  • Significant imports – raw materials and petrochemical industries
  • Top exports – manufactured goods
  • Annually managed – about 22,300 vessels and 171,050,000 tons of cargo.
Port of Yeosu
Port of Yeosu
606 Songjung-dong Donghae City 240-716 Korea, South

Port of Yeosu is located on South Korea’s south coast, approximately 167 kilometers southwest of Busan. Yeosu Reginal Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office administered the port.

  • TEU: 2,378,337 (2019)
  • Port comprises Yosu and Gwangyang ports
  • Operates fishing and leisure craft as well as passenger’s vessels
  • Primary exports: apples, cereals, and cocoons
  • Top imports: oil and coal
  • Annually handled cargo: Xiangyang – around 198 million tons, Yosu – 8.3 million tons.