UN/LOCODE: KRKPO📍 South Korea
Port of Pohang (UN/LOCODE KRKPO)
❖ Coordinates: 36.0300°N, 129.3700°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRKPO
## About the Port
### General Overview
Port of Pohang (UN/LOCODE **KRKPO**) is a strategically positioned deep‑water facility on South Korea’s eastern coast, within the province of Gyeongsangbuk‑do (Kyongsangbuk‑do). Situated at **36.03° N, 129.37° E** and operating under the **Asia/Seoul** time zone, the port serves as a logistical gateway for the nation’s heavy‑industry belt, particularly the steel giant POSCO and its associated petrochemical complexes. Managed by the **Pohang Port Authority (PPA)**, the harbor integrates container, bulk, and break‑bulk terminals, offering a multimodal interface with road, rail, and inland waterway networks.
### Geographic Setting
Pohang lies on a naturally protected inlet of the East Sea (Sea of Japan), benefitting from a deep‑water channel that accommodates vessels up to **22 m draught**. The surrounding topography—steep limestone cliffs and a modest tidal range (≈1.3 m)—reduces sedimentation, allowing the port to maintain its depth with minimal dredging. Proximity to major industrial zones, the Gyeongju–Pohang rail corridor, and the expressway network (Highway 20) enables rapid cargo trans‑shipment to inland markets, including the Seoul metropolitan area (≈300 km).
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## History
### Early Development (1960s–1980s)
Construction of the original Pohang harbor commenced in **1963** as part of South Korea’s “First Five‑Year Economic Development Plan.” The facility was initially designed to support the nascent steel industry, providing a dedicated berth for the import of iron ore and the export of molten steel. By the late 1970s, the port had expanded to include a **grain terminal** and a modest container yard, reflecting Korea’s growing participation in global trade.
### Expansion Era (1990s–2000s)
The 1990s saw the introduction of a **container terminal** operated under a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, granting the port a **handling capacity of 600,000 TEU per annum** (peak years). In **2003**, the **Pohang North Harbor** was inaugurated, featuring a 12‑berth bulk terminal with a maximum **ship length of 330 m** and a dedicated **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) lane** for automotive parts.
### Recent Modernisation (2010–Present)
To meet the demands of ultra‑large bulk carriers (ULBCs), the PPA undertook a **dredging program (2014‑2018)** that deepened the main channel to 22 m, aligning the port with the **Panamax and Aframax ship classes**. A **digital Port Community System (PCS)** was launched in **2020**, integrating customs, shipping lines, and terminal operators into a single data platform, improving turnaround times by an estimated **15 %**.
For a full chronology, refer to the Korean Port Authority’s historical archive: Korean Port Authority – Pohang History↗.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Cargo | Berths | Max. Vessel Size | Depth (m) | Key Equipment |
|----------|---------------|--------|------------------|-----------|----------------|
| **Pohang Steel Terminal** | Iron ore, steel billets | 5 | 300 m LOA | 22 | Ship‑loader (30 t), conveyor belts |
| **Pohang Container Terminal** | Containers (TEU) | 4 | 280 m LOA | 15 | 8 gantry cranes (45 t), automated yard cranes |
| **Pohang General Cargo** | Automobiles, Ro‑Ro, project cargo | 3 | 250 m LOA | 13 | Ro‑Ro ramps, heavy‑lift cranes (120 t) |
| **Pohang Fishing Port** | Live seafood, cold‑storage | 2 | 150 m LOA | 10 | Ice plants, clean‑water supply |
### Bulk Handling Systems
- **Ship‑loader capacity:** 30 t per minute, enabling a **10 % reduction** in berth occupancy.
- **Conveyor network:** 7 km of belt conveyors linking the steel terminal directly to the POSCO plant and the adjacent storage silos (capacity 5 Mt).
### Container Operations
- **Yard area:** 340,000 m², equipped with **shuttle‑type automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** for block‑move operations.
- **Gate system:** RFID‑enabled gate lanes processing up to **1,200 trucks per day**.
### Support Services
- **Customs House:** Integrated with the **Korea Customs Service (KCS)**, offering electronic data interchange (EDI) for import/export clearance.
- **Repair & Maintenance:** Two dry‑docks (capacity 250 m) and a full‑service shipyard capable of performing hull repairs, valve overhauls, and painting.
- **Environmental Facilities:** On‑site wastewater treatment plant (capacity 1,500 m³/day) and a **ballast water management system** complying with IMO 2020 regulations.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
The Port of Pohang accounts for roughly **1.8 % of South Korea’s total maritime cargo volume**, ranking fifth among the nation’s major ports. In **2023**, the port handled **48 Mt** of total cargo, with **iron ore imports alone exceeding 20 Mt**, reinforcing its role as the primary conduit for raw material supply to POSCO’s integrated steelworks.
### Employment & Regional Development
PPA directly employs **≈3,200** staff, with an estimated **15,000** indirect jobs generated across logistics, manufacturing, and ancillary services in Gyeongsangbuk‑do. The port’s industrial zone has attracted **over 120 foreign‑direct investment (FDI) projects** since 2010, primarily in the **automotive parts, petrochemical, and renewable‑energy sectors**.
### Investment Outlook
The Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has earmarked **US$ 250 million** for a **Phase‑II expansion** that will add three additional container berths, a **15‑m deep‑water quay**, and a **green‑energy corridor** powered by on‑site solar farms (capacity 30 MW). The expected increase in handling capacity is **+35 %** by **2028**, positioning Pohang to capture a larger share of the **East Asian bulk‑commodity trade**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Commodity | Vessel Type | Frequency (weekly) |
|----------------------|-------------------|-------------|---------------------|
| **Australia (Port Kembla, Newcastle)** | Iron ore | Capesize (≥180 kt) | 5 |
| **Brazil (Port of Tubarão)** | Iron ore | Capesize | 3 |
| **Russia (Ust‑Luga)** | Coal & coke | Panamax | 4 |
| **China (Shanghai, Ningbo)** | Finished steel, automotive parts | Container (Feeder) | 12 |
| **Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)** | Finished steel, chemicals | Container (Feeder) | 6 |
| **USA (Los Angeles, Long Beach)** | Steel exports (LME‑grade) | Supramax | 2 |
### Cargo Mix (2023)
| Cargo Type | Volume (Mt) | Share of Total |
|------------|-------------|----------------|
| **Iron ore** | 20.3 | 42 % |
| **Finished steel** | 12.5 | 26 % |
| **Coal & coke** | 7.1 | 15 % |
| **Automotive parts / Ro‑Ro** | 4.0 | 8 % |
| **Containers (general cargo)** | 4.1 | 9 % |
### Emerging Trends
- **Renewable‑energy components:** The port is increasingly handling **off‑shore wind turbine parts** (e.g., tower sections, blades) destined for the burgeoning Korean offshore wind farms, prompting the installation of **heavy‑lift cranes (≥150 t)**.
- **Cold‑chain logistics:** Expansion of the fishing port’s cold‑storage capacity (now **12,000 t**) aligns with Korea’s push to export high‑value seafood to **European Union** markets, demanding **ISO‑9001** compliance and traceability.
### Connectivity
- **Rail:** Integrated with the **Korea Railroad Express (KTX) Gyeongbu Line**, providing a **3‑hour** transit to Busan and a **5‑hour** connection to Seoul’s Incheon Port.
- **Highway:** Direct access to **Expressway 20** (east‑west corridor) and **National Route 7**, supporting truck flows of up to **1,200 vehicles per day**.
- **Inland Waterway:** The **Nakdong River** feeder system offers limited barge service for bulk commodities to the inland industrial complex of Daegu.
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*The Port of Pohang continues to evolve as a pivotal node in East Asian maritime logistics, combining deep‑water capability, diversified cargo handling, and forward‑looking infrastructure investments to sustain South Korea’s industrial competitiveness.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRKPO
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeongsangbugdo [Kyongsangbuk-do]
Latitude
36.030000
Longitude
129.370000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Pohang?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Pohang is KRKPO.
Where is Port of Pohang located?
The Port of Pohang is located in South Korea, Gyeongsangbugdo [Kyongsangbuk-do]. Its coordinates are 36.0300°N, 129.3700°E.
What time zone is Port of Pohang in?
Port of Pohang operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.42 m
Wave Direction170°
Swell Height0.36 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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