UN/LOCODE: KRCHF📍 South Korea
Port of Jinhae (UN/LOCODE KRCHF)
❖ Coordinates: 35.1300°N, 128.6500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRCHF
## About the Port
Jinhae Port (UN/LOCODE: **KRCHF**) is a strategically located, peninsula‑fronted harbor situated at 35.13° N, 128.65° E in the southeastern province of **Gyeongsangnamdo** (Kyongsangnam‑do), South Korea. The close proximity to the Busan–Gwangju industrial corridor—often dubbed the **Southeast Korean Peninsula Corridor**—ensures the port’s integration into one of the world’s most dynamic maritime logistics networks. Operating within the **Asia/Seoul** time zone, Jinhae is accessible via a network of lines that connect the port with major national highways and the **South Korea–Japan high‑speed rail** corridor, bolstering its role as a regional trade nexus.
### Strategic Significance
The harbor’s limestone spurs and gently sloping seabed allow for deep draft navigation, accommodating vessels up to **14‑20 meters** in draught, critical for the large crude tankers and bulk carriers that ply Korea’s energy corridors. Furthermore, the old naval town’s affable layout—anchored by the historic **Daewoo shipyard**—provides a dual industrial heritage and a contemporary ferry node that handles both commercial cargo and passenger traffic.
## History
### Early Foundations (Pre‑19th Century)
Jinhae’s maritime roots trace back to the Joseon era, when the town served as a modest fishing village and a supply point for the **Gyeongsang province**. Its natural harbor, protected(JSON) by the Boryeong coastline, facilitated small-scale trade with nearby Jeju Island and the coastal towns.
### Modern Development (Late 19th–20th Century)
The dawn of the **Japanese occupation (1910‑1945)** catalyzed the first industrial overhaul. The Japanese administration erected the **Jinhae Dockyard**—later acquired by Daewoo—which became South Korea’s preeminent shipbuilding center. The facility's expansion in the 1970s introduced **containerization** and automatic quay cranes, thereby positioning Jinhae as a pivotal **container terminal** for the burgeoning Korean export market.
### Post‑Korean War Era
Post-1979, the port diverged into a dual‑cargo environment:
- **Bulk commodities**: iron ore, coal, and limestone, spurred by the **Korean heavy industry boom**.
- **Container logistics**: propelled by the proliferation of Korean electronics and automotive exports in the 1990s.
In the early cardiovas—by 2002—the port underwent a **comprehensive dredging program** to deepen the channel to 20 m, thus unlocking transport for larger vessels (e.g., Capesize and Panamax). The same year, the **Jinhae–Busan Port Collaboration Agreement** formalized inter‑port coordination, facilitating shared hinterland services.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Quay Configuration
- **Deep‑water berth**: 1 Default 350 m length, equipped with **10-ton swing crane** and **2‑ton gantry crane** for bulk handling.
- **Container yard**: 50,000 TEU capacity, featuring RFID‑enabled stack and so‑called “smart handling” equipment.
- **Secondary storage**: Post‑storage area for hazardous materials, integrated with a **chemical spill response unit**.
### Dredging & Navigation
The **Jinhae Harbor Authority** carries out quarterly dredging operations, maintaining a minimum depth of **20 m** along the main channel to accommodate **Large New Panamax** vessels. The harbor’s **buoy system**—comprising 12 lighted navigation aids—serves vessels between 15 m and 30 m draught.
### Hinterland Connectivity
- **Road**: Multiple national highways (Route 1, 6) and county roads feed the port, with a dedicated **Jinhae–Busan Expressway** segment facilitating 30 km/h average truck speeds.
- **Rail**: A freight spur links directly to the **KTX** high‑speed rail line, enabling rapid last‑mile delivery to the high‑tech industrial parks in Ulsan.
- **Pilotage**: The port’s **Naval Maritime Agency** offers day‑time pilotage services, ensuring safe transits even during low visibility.
### Environmental & Safety Standards
Jinhae julians commit to **ISO 14001** environmental management and **ISO 9001** quality protocols. The port has installed a **GCSS (Gate Control and Security System)** that randomizes access, offers CCTV surveillance, and allows electronic manifests to shorten inspection time. Oil spill containment devices—including double‑hxec barrier canisters—are stationed outside every deep‑water berth.
## Economic Importance
### Role in South Korea’s Trade
South Korea’s export structure heavily relies on its maritime ports. Jinhae handles **approx. 4 % of the country’s container volume** and **12 % of bulk imports**, positioning it as a secondary but crucial gateway behind Busan. Its unique location enables efficient distribution to the southern provinces, which produce **steel, semiconductors, and green hydrogen** components.
### Job Creation & Industrial Parks
Jinhae’s port ecosystem supports more than **5,000 direct jobs** in handling, logistics, and inspection services. Nearby industrial parks (e.g., the **Jinhae Smart City Industrial Park**) house over **200 small-to-midsize enterprises** producing modular electronics and automotive parts, creating a classic push–pull system that ties production to port throughput.
### Historical & Cultural Impact
The **Futaba Marine Festival**, initiated in 1988, remains an annual event celebrating Jinhae’s naval history. The festival stimulates **tourism revenue** looping six figures annually, with investors citing the port’s connectivity as a central selling point for new ventures.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trading Partners
| Destination | Cargo Type | Percentage of Total Exports |
|-------------|------------|-----------------------------|
| **Japan (Yokohama, Osaka)** | Semi‑finished electronics | 23% |
| **United States (Los Angeles, Long Beach)** | Automotive components | 18% |
| **Hong Kong** | Primary raw steel | 15% |
| **Shanghai** | Electronics assembly units | 12% |
|amoother countries** | Diverse** | 32% |
### Cargo Breakdown
- **Containerized Goods**: 70 % of port throughput. Categories include high‑tech semiconductors, display panels, automotive sub‑assemblies, and re‑export grade materials.
- **Bulk Commodities**: 25 % of volume, mainly iron ore (import), coal (import), and manufactured limestone (export).
- **Bulk Liquid**: 5 % of throughput, primarily petroleum products sewed through the same deep‑water berth.
### Trade Routes
- **East‑West Circuit**: Jinhae links directly with **Shangai** and **Singapore** via the **South Chinagleichen** maritime routeicles, facilitating cargo for the ASEAN cluster.
- **Blue‑Charger Corridor**: The **Korea–Japan freight line**, coupled with dedicated shipping lanes between Jinhae and **Tokyo**, has become a conceptual backbone for **green shipping** initiatives, targeting **Zero‑emission** vessels by 2035.
### Emerging Trends
The increasing investments across **green shipping technology** and **digital port systems** in Jinhae underline its trajectory towards becoming a **demonstration port for LNG‑powered vessels and autonomous berthing**. This design is a key factor for Korean logisticians when selecting a vessel’s *origin* or *destination* for B‑frame cargo flows.
## Conclusion
Jinhae Port exemplifies an integrated maritime infrastructure that bridges traditional bulk handling capabilities with the modern demands of containerized trade. Its strategic geographic position in Gyeongsangnamdo, combined with robust hinterland links, positions it as aarah critical class of ports for South Korea’s export‑centric economy. Continuously evolving through technology upgrades and environmental policies, Jinhae remains an indispensable node in Korea’s global supply chain network.
> For the official UN/LOCODE designation and regulatory framework, see the UNECE documentation:abulary https://unece.org/cefact/locode/.
> For a deeper look into Korea’s port statistics and growth strategies, consult Korea Shipowners’ Association’s annual report: https://www.askorea.org/korea-shipping-statistics/.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRCHF
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]
Latitude
35.130000
Longitude
128.650000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Jinhae?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Jinhae is KRCHF.
Where is Port of Jinhae located?
The Port of Jinhae is located in South Korea, Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]. Its coordinates are 35.1300°N, 128.6500°E.
What time zone is Port of Jinhae in?
Port of Jinhae operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
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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.
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