UN/LOCODE: KRKAN📍 South Korea
Port of Gwangyang (UN/LOCODE KRKAN)
❖ Coordinates: 34.9300°N, 127.7000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRKAN
## About the Port
Gwangyang Port (UN/LOCODE: **KRKAN**) sits on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula in **Jeonnam‑do** (also spelled Chollanam‑do), at **34.93° N, 127.70° E**. The facility operates on **Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)** and serves as the primary gateway for the **Gwangyang Free Economic Zone (GFEZ)**, one of the nation’s most strategically positioned industrial clusters. Managed by the **Korea Ports Authority (KPA)**, the port combines deep‑water berths, advanced container handling systems, and an integrated rail‑to‑sea network, supporting both domestic logistics and trans‑Pacific trade corridors. Its natural harbor, protected by the Nakdong River estuary, offers year‑round accessibility for vessels up to **16 m draught**, making Gwangyang a pivotal hub for bulk, containerized, and petrochemical cargoes.
## History
The origins of Gwangyang’s maritime activity trace back to the early 20th century when the area functioned as a modest fishing wharf. In the 1970s, the Korean government earmarked the site for heavy‑industry development, culminating in the construction of the **POSCO steel mill** (1975) and the **GFEZ** (2000). The port’s modern expansion began in 1998 with the inauguration of the **Gwangyang‑Port Container Terminal (GPCT)**, designed to accommodate the surge in container traffic generated by POSPOSCO’s integrated logistics chain. Subsequent phases—**Phase II (2005)** and **Phase III (2015)**—introduced deeper berths, automated gantry cranes, and a dedicated LNG terminal, aligning the port with the **“New Port Strategy”** outlined by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Throughout the 2000s, Gwangyang transitioned from a regional bulk‑handling site to a full‑service, world‑class container hub, now ranking among the top 20 Asian ports in cargo throughput.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **16 deep‑water berths** (12 m–16 m draft) for container ships, bulk carriers, and LPG/LNG tankers.
- **Two dedicated petrochemical berths** equipped with vapor recovery systems for safe handling of hazardous cargo.
### Container Handling
- **GPCT** operates **four** super‑post‑Pandora gantry cranes (SPE·8000) and **six** rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) cranes, delivering a peak handling capacity of **2.2 million TEU per year**.
- Fully automated **gate‑in‑gate‑out (GIGO)** system, linked to the **Port Community System (PCS)** for real‑time vessel and cargo tracking.
### Storage & Intermodal Links
- **110 ha** of open‑yard container stacks, with **high‑cube** and **refrigerated (reefer)** blocks.
- **Rail yard** connecting to the **Korea Railroad Network (KRN)**, enabling direct 1,200 km freight moves to inland distribution centers such as **Incheon** and **Ulsan**.
- **Road access** via Expressway 15 and **Korea Expressway Corp. (KEC)** corridors, supporting 40‑truck‑per‑hour throughput.
### Support Facilities
- **LNG terminal** (capacity 2.5 Mtpa) supplied to POSCO and regional power plants.
- **Customs clearance** and **Quarantine** offices, complying with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
- **Pilotage** and **tug** services (four high‑power tugs, each 5,500 kW) ensure safe navigation in the tidal estuary.
For a technical overview, see the **Korea Ports Authority’s port profile**[^1].
## Economic Importance
Gwangyang Port functions as a linchpin in South Korea’s industrial supply chain, directly supporting the **POSCO steel complex**, which accounts for roughly **15 % of the nation’s steel output**. The port’s **container throughput** (≈ 2.2 million TEU) contributes over **4 %** of South Korea’s total maritime cargo volume, while its **bulk and petrochemical handling** adds another **3 %**. The synergies between the port and the GFEZ have attracted multinational investors, fostering a **$30 billion** ecosystem of shipbuilding, oil refining, and high‑tech manufacturing. Employment figures exceed **15,000** direct jobs and **30,000** indirect positions, underscoring Gwangyang’s role as an economic catalyst for the **Jeonnam‑do** region. Moreover, the port’s low‑turnaround time (average **38 hours** for a fully loaded container vessel) enhances South Korea’s competitiveness in the **East‑Asian container market**, enabling rapid trans‑shipment to neighboring hubs such as Busan, Shanghai, and Ningbo.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### International Trade Corridors
- **Asia‑Pacific Loop:** Direct services to **Shanghai, Ningbo, and Hong Kong** (≈ 3–4 days); feeder connections to **Tokyo, Osaka, and Manila**.
- **Trans‑Pacific Route:** Weekly liner services to **Los Angeles/Long Beach** and **San Diego**, integrating Gwangyang into the **North American West Coast gateway**.
- **Europe‑East Asia Corridor:** Via the **Northern Sea Route** (seasonal) and traditional **Suez Canal** passages to **Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp**.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Primary Origin/Destination | Approx. Share of Port Throughput |
|------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------|
| **Containerized goods** (electronics, automotive parts, consumer goods) | China, Japan, ASEAN | 55 % |
| **Raw iron ore & coal** (for steelmaking) | Australia, Brazil | 20 % |
| **Petrochemical feedstock** (naphtha, LPG, chemicals) | Middle East, Malaysia | 12 % |
| **LNG** | Qatar, Australia | 5 % |
| **Reefer cargo** (fresh produce, pharmaceuticals) | Chile, USA (Pacific Northwest) | 4 % |
| **Automobiles & parts** | Japan, Germany | 4 % |
The port’s strategic emphasis on **containerization** and **bulk commodity imports** aligns with South Korea’s industrial demand profile, while its **LNG terminal** secures energy supply for the GFEZ’s heavy‑industry clientele. Gwangyang’s integration with **digital logistics platforms** (including blockchain‑based B/L issuance) further strengthens its position as a **smart‑port** capable of handling the next generation of maritime trade.
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[^1]: Korea Ports Authority, *Port of Gwangyang – Facility Overview*, https://www.kpamedia.or.kr/en/port/gwangyang.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRKAN
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Jeonranamdo [Chollanam-do]
Latitude
34.930000
Longitude
127.700000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Gwangyang?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Gwangyang is KRKAN.
Where is Port of Gwangyang located?
The Port of Gwangyang is located in South Korea, Jeonranamdo [Chollanam-do]. Its coordinates are 34.9300°N, 127.7000°E.
What time zone is Port of Gwangyang in?
Port of Gwangyang operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.16 m
Wave Direction218°
Swell Height0.1 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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