UN/LOCODE: KRCHO📍 South Korea
Port of Cheonan (UN/LOCODE KRCHO)
❖ Coordinates: 36.8000°N, 127.1500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRCHO
## About the Port
Cheonan (UN/LOCODE: KRCHO) is an inland port situated in the city of Cheonan, Chungcheongnam‑do (Ch’ungch’ongnam‑do), South Korea. Although Cheonan is not a coastal hub, its strategic location on the Seohaean Expressway corridor and its connectivity to the Han River watershed have elevated it to a key multimodal logistics node. The port operates under the jurisdiction of the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and is managed by the Cheonan Port Authority (CPA), a semi‑autonomous body responsible for cargo handling, warehousing, and intermodal transfers.
Cheonan’s coordinates (36.8°N, 127.15°E) place it roughly 120 km south of Seoul and 70 km inland from the Yellow Sea. This positioning enables it to serve both domestic freight corridors—particularly the Gyeongbu Axis—and international trade lanes that flow through nearby port mega‑clusters such as Busan and Incheon. The facility handles a blend of dry bulk, containerized goods, and specialized cargo, leveraging its rail, road, and river links to integrate seamlessly with South Korea’s broader maritime network.
## History
### Early Foundations
The roots of Cheonan’s maritime significance trace back to the 1970s when the South Korean government initiated a series of inland port projects to decongest the major coastal terminals. The 1973 River Harbor Development Act earmarked the Cheonan River basin for a “Category C” inland port, aimed at facilitating the transport of agricultural produce from the central province to export markets.
### Expansion Era (1990s‑2000s)
A pivotal expansion occurred in 1998, when the CPA completed the first phase of a modern cargo handling complex. The introduction of gantry cranes and a reinforced‑concrete dock wall allowed the port to accommodate 20‑foot and 40‑foot container units, marking Cheonan’s transition from a pure bulk facility to a multimodal hub. The Korean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2004 further stimulated freight volumes, as manufacturers leveraged Cheonan’s hinterland to ship components to regional distribution centers.
### Recent Modernisation (2010s‑2020s)
In 2015, the port underwent a US$120 million upgrade funded by the Korea Development Bank. The project added an extra 150,000 TEU of container capacity, introduced automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and expanded the rail siding length to accommodate double‑stack containers. By 2022, annual cargo throughput had risen from 3.2 million tons (2005) to 7.8 million tons, cementing Cheonan’s role in the national logistics strategy.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Docking Areas
Cheonan currently maintains three operational berths capable of handling vessels up to 30,000 GT. Berths A and B are deep‑water (‑12 m) and serve container ships, while Berth C is a shallower‑water (‑6 m) facility designed for bulk cargo such as coal, iron ore, and grain.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
The port’s container terminal features five STS (Ship‑to‑Ship) cranes, each with a 24‑hour operating capacity of 25 TEU per crane. Bulk handling is supported by three gearless stacker‑reclaimers and two mobile ship unloaders, capable of processing up to 500 t/hour.
### Inland Transportation Links
- **Rail:** A dedicated 12‑km rail spur connects directly to the Korean National Railroad’s Gyeongbu Line, enabling double‑stack container trains that reduce road congestion by an estimated 15 %.
- **Road:** The Seohaean Expressway and national highway 13 intersect the port complex, providing seamless access to the wider Korean road network.
- **River:** The Cheonan River waterway, fully dredged to a depth of 3.5 m, links the port to the Han River system, offering an alternative inland route for bulk commodities.
### Logistics Park & Warehousing
The Cheonan Inland Logistics Park spans 2.5 km² and houses 120 000 m² of cold‑storage facilities, 45 000 m² of general warehousing, and a customs bonded zone. The park is certified under the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, ensuring streamlined customs clearance for inbound and outbound shipments.
## Economic Importance
Cheonan Port contributes significantly to Chungcheongnam‑do’s economic profile, accounting for roughly 18 % of the province’s freight turnover. The port’s multimodal capabilities lower logistics costs for manufacturers in the nearby Daegu‑Gumi industrial cluster, fostering competitiveness in automotive parts, electronics, and petrochemical sectors.
Moreover, the port serves as a key “feeder” to the larger Korean port system. By transshipping containers destined for inland destinations, Cheonan reduces dwell time at congested coastal ports, aligning with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries’ “Port Integration Strategy” launched in 2018. The resulting efficiency gains have attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) in logistics parks, with notable projects from DHL and Yusen Logistics establishing regional distribution hubs adjacent to the port.
Employment is another measured benefit: the CPA and its partner operators employ over 1,200 staff, ranging from engineers and stevedores to customs brokers. The port’s “Port‑Community Liaison Office” further supports small‑and‑medium enterprises (SMEs) by offering training programs and access to financing schemes for modal shift incentives.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
Cheonan’s container services are concentrated on three principal corridors:
1. **Korea‑China Corridor** – Direct feeder routes link Cheonan with Shanghai, Ningbo, and Qingdao, primarily handling finished electronic goods, automotive components, and agricultural equipment.
2. **Korea‑Japan Corridor** – Weekly services to Tokyo and Osaka transport textiles, plastics, and machinery parts, leveraging the port’s rapid customs processing to meet just‑in‑time inventory requirements.
3. **Korea‑Southeast Asia Corridor** – First‑leg shipments to Singapore, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City carry bulk commodities such as soybeans, cement, and steel coils, with return voyages often loaded with consumer electronics.
### Bulk Cargo Dominance
Bulk handling remains a core function. Iron ore and coal from Australia and Russia are the leading bulk imports, supporting the steel manufacturing base in neighboring provinces. Conversely, grain (mainly maize and wheat) imported from the United States and Canada feed the domestic feed‑grain market and food processing industry.
### Specialized Cargo
Cheonan’s facilities also accommodate specialized traffic, including:
- **Pharmaceuticals:** Temperature‑controlled containers stored in the port’s cold‑chain warehouses.
- **Automobiles:** Roll‑on/roll‑off (RORO) shipments for Hyundai and Kia parts, transferred directly to rail cars for inland distribution.
- **Hazardous Materials:** A designated hazardous cargo zone complies with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, serving chemical manufacturers in the Daejeon industrial zone.
These trade patterns underpin Cheonan’s strategic role within South Korea’s logistics tapestry, complementing the nation’s primary seaports while providing a vital gateway for both domestic hinterland commerce and international maritime trade.
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*For further authoritative reference, see the official UN/LOCODE database (https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/commission/on-population-and-development/related-statistical-system/unl ocode) and the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (https://www.mma.go.kr).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRCHO
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Chungcheongnamdo [Ch'ungch'ongnam-do]
Latitude
36.800000
Longitude
127.150000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Cheonan?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Cheonan is KRCHO.
Where is Port of Cheonan located?
The Port of Cheonan is located in South Korea, Chungcheongnamdo [Ch'ungch'ongnam-do]. Its coordinates are 36.8000°N, 127.1500°E.
What time zone is Port of Cheonan in?
Port of Cheonan 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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