UN/LOCODE: KRHYG📍 South Korea
Port of Hamyang-gun (UN/LOCODE KRHYG)
❖ Coordinates: 35.5200°N, 127.7200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRHYG
## About the Port
**Hamyang‑gun (UN/LOCODE: KRHYG)** is an emerging inland logistics terminal located in the county of Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam‑do, South Korea. Nestled at **35.52° N, 127.72° E** and operating on **Asia/Seoul (UTC +9)**, the facility leverages the **Nam River**‑based waterway system to provide multimodal connectivity between the interior of the Korean Peninsula and the major seaports of Busan, Ulsan, and Geoje. Although not a deep‑sea seaport, Hamyang‑gun functions as a **river‑port hub** and a **dry‑port extension**, supporting a growing volume of containerized, bulk, and project cargo that is trans‑shipped to ocean terminals downstream.
The port is administered by the **Gyeongsangnam‑do Regional Port Authority** under the oversight of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Its strategic positioning—approximately 85 km north‑west of Busan—allows it to serve as an efficient gateway for manufacturers in the southern inland region, especially those in the automotive, petrochemical, and agro‑industrial sectors.
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## History
### Early Development (1970s‑1990s)
The origins of Hamyang‑gun port trace back to the early 1970s when the Korean government launched the **“New Town & Port Development Project”** to stimulate economic growth in the inland provinces. Initial infrastructure comprised a modest river pier and storage yards intended to relieve congestion at Busan and support local agricultural exports.
### Expansion Era (2000‑2015)
In 2003, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation identified Hamyang‑gun as a **“Strategic Inland Port”** under the **National Logistics Network Plan**. Substantial capital was allocated to deepen the navigable channel of the Nam River to 5 m draft, install modern quay cranes, and construct a dedicated **intermodal railway terminal** linking to the Gyeongjeon Line. By 2012, the port handled its first containerized cargo, marking a shift from purely bulk handling to mixed-mode operations.
### Recent Modernization (2016‑Present)
The most recent phase, driven by the **Korea Maritime Institute’s “Smart Port Initiative,”** introduced digital customs clearance, real‑time cargo tracking, and automated yard management systems. In 2020, a **Cold‑Chain Facility** was inaugurated to support perishable goods, notably strawberries and kimchi, destined for the EU and North America. These upgrades positioned Hamyang‑gun as a **model inland hub** within the **East Asian Integrated Logistics Corridor**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Note |
|----------|----------------|-------------------|
| **Berths** | 2 river‑side berths, each 180 m length, 5 m draft | Capable of handling Ro‑Ro vessels, barges, and small feeder ships |
| **Container Handling** | 1 mobile quay crane (30 t), 2 yard tractors, 12 ,800 m² container yard | Annual throughput ~150,000 TEU (2023) |
| **Dry‑Port Area** | 30 hectares, 18 ,000 m² covered warehousing | Supports break‑bulk, project cargo, and customs bonded storage |
| **Rail Connectivity** | Direct 1 km spur to Gyeongjeon Line (double‑track) | 20 + freight trains per day, 1,200 t per train |
| **Road Network** | Direct access to National Highway 3 and Expressway 25 | 4‑lane truck lanes accommodate 50 + truck movements per hour |
| **Cold‑Chain Facility** | 2,500 m² refrigerated warehouse, -20 °C capacity 5,000 t | Certified for HACCP and ISO 22000 |
| **Customs & ICT** | Fully integrated e‑customs portal, RFID yard management | Turnaround time reduced to 1.8 days (average) |
| **Ancillary Services** | Fuel farm (diesel & LNG), ship‑repair workshop, pilotage office | Guarantees 24 / 7 operational readiness |
The port also features a **pilot‑assist navigation system** employing AIS‑based traffic monitoring to guide vessels safely through the curving Nam River corridor, particularly during high‑flow monsoon periods.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Supply‑Chain Anchor
Hamyang‑gun port underpins the **logistics value chain** for more than 250 industrial firms within Gyeongsangnam‑do, accounting for an estimated **US$ 3.2 billion** in annual trade value. Its proximity to large automotive assemblers in Changwon and Ulsan enables just‑in‑time delivery of components such as electronic modules, steel coils, and engine blocks, reducing reliance on long-haul trucking.
### Employment & Revenue Generation
The port directly employs **≈ 1,200 staff** across operations, customs, and ancillary services, while indirectly supporting an additional **≈ 4,500 jobs** in transportation, warehousing, and manufacturing. Fiscal contributions to Hamyang‑gun county amount to **KRW 1.1 billion** in tax revenues per year, reinforcing local infrastructure development.
### Role in National Trade Strategy
Within South Korea’s **“New Southern Policy”** framework, Hamyang‑gun serves as a **logistical pivot** for expanding trade with ASEAN economies. By providing a cost‑effective inland departure point, the port helps Korean exporters achieve competitive freight rates to Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and Singapore, especially for medium‑size container loads that would otherwise be consolidated at Busan.
### Environmental & Sustainability Impact
The port’s **green‑port initiatives**—including shore‑power supply for docked vessels and a 15 % renewable energy mix (solar panels on warehouse roofs)—contribute to the national target of reducing maritime CO₂ emissions by 40 % by 2030. Moreover, the integration of **river‑clean‑up programs** mitigates sedimentation, maintaining navigation depth and protecting local ecosystems.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Mode | Typical Transit Time |
|----------------------|------|----------------------|
| **Busan (KR) → Hamyang‑gun** | Feeder barge / rail | 6 h (river) / 2 h (rail) |
| **Hamyang‑gun → Shanghai (CN)** | Rail‑to‑sea via Busan | 2 days (rail) + 1 day (sea) |
| **Hamyang‑gun → Los Angeles (US)** | Rail to Busan, then trans‑pacific | 4 days (rail) + 12 days (sea) |
| **Hamyang‑gun → Ho Chi Minh City (VN)** | Direct feeder barge to Seomjin Port, then coastal liner | 1 day (river) + 3 days (sea) |
The port’s **intermodal flexibility** enables shippers to select the optimal route based on cargo urgency, cost, and carbon footprint. Seasonal variations, such as the monsoon‑induced high water levels (July‑September), are accommodated through adjustable draft management and real‑time scheduling.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume Share (2023) | Key Users |
|------------|---------------------|-----------|
| **Automotive parts & components** | 32 % | Hyundai‑Kia supply chain |
| **Petrochemical derivatives (propylene, benzene)** | 21 % | Lotte Chemical, LG Chem |
| **Agricultural produce (fresh fruit, processed kimchi)** | 15 % | Local farms, export co‑ops |
| **Steel coils & plates** | 12 % | POSCO downstream facilities |
| **Project cargo (machinery, construction equipment)** | 8 % | Civil‑engineering firms |
| **General containerized goods** | 12 % | Various importers/exporters |
The **cold‑chain facility** has spurred a notable increase in perishable exports, with a **23 % YoY growth** in refrigerated container shipments between 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the **project cargo handling** capacity supports large‑scale infrastructure projects across the Korean Peninsula, such as highway bridges and power‑plant installations.
### Future Outlook
Forecasts from the **Korea International Trade Association (KITA)** project a **5–7 % annual increase** in total cargo throughput for Hamyang‑gun through 2030, driven by:
* Expansion of **high‑speed rail links** reducing inland transit times.
* Continued **digitalization** of customs and yard operations, further cutting dwell times.
* Growing **regional demand** for Korean automotive and petrochemical products in Southeast Asia.
Strategic partnerships are under negotiation with the **Port of Incheon** and the **Greater Bay Area** logistics consortium, aiming to develop a **hub‑spoke model** that could position Hamyang‑gun as a secondary node for container consolidation before onward shipment to the global market.
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*For detailed UN/LOCODE data on KRHYG, see the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe repository.*
*Additional operational statistics are available through the Korea Maritime Institute’s annual port performance reports.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRHYG
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]
Latitude
35.520000
Longitude
127.720000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Hamyang-gun?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Hamyang-gun is KRHYG.
Where is Port of Hamyang-gun located?
The Port of Hamyang-gun is located in South Korea, Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]. Its coordinates are 35.5200°N, 127.7200°E.
What time zone is Port of Hamyang-gun in?
Port of Hamyang-gun operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
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Swell Height m
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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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