UN/LOCODE: KRCHA📍 South Korea
Port of Jeju (UN/LOCODE KRCHA)
❖ Coordinates: 33.5000°N, 126.5200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRCHA
## About the Port
Jeju Port (UN/LOCODE **KRCHA**) is the principal maritime gateway for Jeju‑teukbyeoljachido, the autonomous island province located off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Situated at **33.5° N, 126.52° E** and operating under the **Asia/Seoul** time zone, the port serves both commercial cargo vessels and a growing cruise‑liner market. Managed by the **Jeju International Port Authority (JIPA)**, the facility combines deep‑water berths, modern cargo handling equipment, and a network of inland logistics services that connect the island’s tourism‑driven economy to global supply chains.
Key identifiers:
| Item | Detail |
|------|--------|
| **Port name** | Jeju (Jeju International Port) |
| **UN/LOCODE** | KRCHA |
| **Country** | Republic of Korea (South Korea) |
| **Province/Region** | Jeju‑teukbyeoljachido |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 33.5 N / 126.52 E |
| **Timezone** | Asia/Seoul (UTC +9) |
| **Operator** | Jeju International Port Authority |
The port’s strategic position in the East Asian maritime corridor places it midway between the major hubs of Busan, Shanghai, and Tokyo, making it a natural trans‑shipment point for intra‑regional trade as well as a logistical hub for the island’s domestic distribution network.
---
## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
Jeju’s maritime history dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, when the island functioned primarily as a fishing and salt‑production center. Formal port facilities were first constructed by the Japanese colonial administration in the 1930s to support naval logistics and the export of local agricultural products, notably citrus fruits and tea.
### Post‑War Expansion (1950‑1980)
Following the Korean War, the South Korean government identified Jeju as a “special self‑governing province” and initiated systematic infrastructure upgrades. In 1968 the **Jeju International Port Authority** was established, consolidating several smaller docks into a single, centrally managed harbor. The 1970s saw the introduction of mechanized cargo handling (cranes and forklifts) and the dredging of the main channel to a **draft of 12 m**, allowing the berth of medium‑size bulk carriers.
### Modernization Era (1980‑Present)
The 1990s ushered in a wave of containerization. Jeju Port added its first container crane in 1994, and by 1999 it had achieved **ISO 9001 certification** for its cargo handling operations. The early 2000s marked the opening of a dedicated **cruise terminal** (2005) that supported the island’s burgeoning tourism sector. Recent upgrades (2015‑2023) include the installation of a **10‑crane super‑post‑pandemic container yard**, the implementation of an **Automated Terminal Operating System (ATOS)**, and the integration of **green‑port initiatives** such as shore‑side electricity (SSE) for berthed vessels.
For detailed statistical data, see the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport** (2022) [[UNCTAD]](https://unctad.org/publications/review-maritime-transport-2022).
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
| Berth Type | Number | Typical Vessel Size | Maximum Draft |
|------------|--------|---------------------|----------------|
| General cargo | 6 | General cargo ships, Ro‑Ro | 12 m |
| Container | 4 | Pan‑amax (≈ 13 m) | 13 m |
| Cruise | 2 | Passenger ships (≈ 8 m) | 9 m |
| Bulk/Project | 2 | Handy‑size bulk carriers | 11 m |
The main navigation channel is regularly dredged to maintain a **12 m depth** and a width of **250 m**, ensuring safe passage for vessels up to **200 000 gt** under favorable tidal conditions.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **10 superseding quay cranes** (30 t lift, 20 m outreach) equipped with IEC‑60601‑2‑30 compliant safety systems.
- **4 mobile gantry cranes** for container transfers across the yard.
- **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** for intra‑yard container movement, reducing truck turnaround time to under **15 minutes** per move.
- **Cold‑storage silos** (capacity 12 kt) for perishables, primarily citrus and seafood.
### Storage & Logistics
The port’s **container yard** spans **35 hectares**, featuring:
- **Twenty‑four‑hour gate automation** with RFID‑enabled entry/exit.
- **Stacking height up to 6‑layers** (≈ 30 m) enabled by high‑rise container stacks.
- **Customs bonded warehouses** (5 ha) supporting export‑import clearance under the Korea Customs Service.
A dedicated **logistics park** (8 ha) houses freight forwarders, cold‑chain operators, and inter‑modal rail connections to the **Jeju Expressway** (Route 30), facilitating rapid inland distribution to the island’s major urban centers (Jeju City, Seogwipo).
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage** (mandatory for vessels > 5 000 gt) provided by the Korea Maritime Safety Authority.
- **Towage** with a fleet of two 200 t tugs, each equipped with fire‑fighting monitors of **2 000 L/min**.
- **Maritime security** (Korean Coast Guard) and **Port State Control** inspections aligned with the **IMO’s** SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW conventions.
---
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Regional GDP
Jeju Port accounts for **approximately 4.2 %** of the island’s gross regional product (GRP). The cargo segment—dominated by agricultural exports (citrus, tea, marine products) and the import of construction materials, consumer goods, and energy—generates an estimated **US$1.1 billion** in annual trade value (2023 data).
### Employment & Skill Development
The port directly employs **≈ 2 800** personnel, ranging from dockworkers and crane operators to customs brokers and logistics analysts. Indirect employment—spanning shipping agencies, marine services, and tourism‑related transport—adds another **≈ 7 500** jobs, underpinning the island’s labor market resilience.
### Tourism Synergy
Since the opening of the cruise terminal, passenger throughput has risen from a modest **150 000** in 2005 to **≈ 850 000** arrivals in 2022, making Jeju one of the fastest‑growing cruise destinations in East Asia. Cruise‑related spending contributes an additional **US$380 million** to the local economy each year, illustrating the port’s dual commercial‑tourism role.
### Strategic Outlook
The Korean government’s **“New Growth Engine”** policy earmarks Jeju as a **“Free‑International City”**, aiming to expand the port’s cargo handling capacity by **30 %** by 2030. Planned investments include an **additional 1 km of quay length**, deeper dredging to **14 m**, and the introduction of **hydrogen‑powered forklifts** as part of the national **Green Port Initiative**.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
| Direction | Primary Partner Ports | Typical Vessel Types |
|-----------|-----------------------|----------------------|
| **North‑East** | Busan (KRPOA), Incheon (KRINC) | Container ships, feeder vessels |
| **East‑South** | Shanghai (CNSHA), Ningbo (CNNGB) | Container & Ro‑Ro |
| **South‑West** | Osaka (JPKM), Yokohama (JPTYO) | Container, cruise liners |
| **North‑West** | Hong Kong (HKHKG), Kaohsiung (TWKHH) | Bulk carriers, general cargo |
These corridors integrate Jeju into the **East Asian Maritime Silk Road**, facilitating the flow of both finished goods and raw materials.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Share of Throughput (%) | Key Commodities |
|----------------|--------------------------|-----------------|
| **Containerized goods** | 48 | Electronics, automotive parts, consumer textiles |
| **General cargo & Ro‑Ro** | 22 | Vehicles, construction machinery, timber |
| **Bulk & Project** | 15 | Cement, steel billets, basalt aggregates |
| **Perishables (cold chain)** | 9 | Jeju mandarins, seafood (abalone, octopus) |
| **Cruise passengers** | 6 | – (service‑oriented) |
The **containerized segment** is driven by **e‑commerce** and the island’s role as a distribution hub for retailers targeting the Korean domestic market. **Perishables** experience a seasonal surge (Oct‑Mar) when citrus exports peak, leveraging the port’s refrigerated containers (reefers) and rapid customs clearance.
### Future Trade Prospects
With the **Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)** now in force, Jeju Port is positioned to capture increased intra‑regional freight volumes, especially in **high‑value electronics** and **green technology components**. The planned **digital twin** of the port, slated for rollout in 2025, will enable real‑time traffic optimization and support the anticipated **“smart logistics”** ecosystem outlined in Korea’s **“Digital New Deal”** initiative.
---
*References*:
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). *Review of Maritime Transport 2022*. https://unctad.org/publications/review-maritime-transport-2022
- Korea Maritime Safety Authority. *Port Facility Standards & Safety Guidelines*. https://kmsa.go.kr/english/
*Keywords*: Jeju Port, KRCHA, South Korea maritime hub, container handling, cruise terminal, East Asian trade routes, logistics, green port initiatives.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRCHA
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Jeju-teukbyeoljachido [Jeju]
Latitude
33.500000
Longitude
126.520000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Jeju?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Jeju is KRCHA.
Where is Port of Jeju located?
The Port of Jeju is located in South Korea, Jeju-teukbyeoljachido [Jeju]. Its coordinates are 33.5000°N, 126.5200°E.
What time zone is Port of Jeju in?
Port of Jeju operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Jeju.
Jangheung-gun
South Korea • 135 km awayMokpo
South Korea • 145 km awayNamyang/Goheung-gun
South Korea • 155 km awayYeosu
South Korea • 178 km away