UN/LOCODE: KRKWU📍 South Korea
Port of Gwangju (UN/LOCODE KRKWU)
❖ Coordinates: 37.4000°N, 127.2500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRKWU
## About the Port
### Location and Identification
Gwangju Port (UN/LOCODE: **KRKWU**) is situated on the western coast of the Korean Peninsula within Gyeonggi‑do (Kyonggi‑do), South Korea. Its geographic coordinates are approximately **37.40° N, 127.25° E**, placing it in the **Asia/Seoul** time zone (UTC+9). The port’s LOCODE follows the UN/CEFACT standard, facilitating seamless integration with global shipping documentation and electronic data interchange (EDI) systems.
### Operational Overview
Though modest in scale compared with the mega‑ports of Busan and Incheon, Gwangju functions as a critical feeder and regional hub for the Seoul Metropolitan Area and the surrounding Gyeonggi province. It handles a diversified mix of containerized, break‑bulk, and project cargo, leveraging its proximity to major industrial complexes, logistics parks, and the Seoul‑Incheon corridors. The port operates 24 hours a day, supported by pilotage, tug‑assist, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) coordinated by the Korea Coast Guard’s regional office.
## History
### Early Development
The origins of Gwangju Port trace back to the early 20th century when a modest wharf was constructed to support agricultural export from the fertile plains of Gyeonggi‑do. During the Japanese colonial period (1910‑1945), the facility was expanded to accommodate rice and timber shipments destined for Japan. Post‑liberation, the port underwent gradual modernization under the auspices of the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, focusing on improving berth depth and cargo‑handling efficiency.
### Modern Expansion
A turning point arrived in the 1990s with the **Gwangju Port Redevelopment Plan**, which aimed to transform the facility into a modern feeder port capable of handling Post‑Panamax vessels. Key milestones include:
- **1995** – Completion of a 250‑meter deep‑water quay with a designed depth of 12 meters, enabling berthing of vessels up to 50,000 DWT.
- **2003** – Installation of two gantry cranes (35‑ton capacity) and a reach‑stacker fleet, boosting container throughput to roughly 150,000 TEU annually.
- **2012** – Integration of a computerized Port Community System (PCS) linked to Korea’s National Single Window, streamlining customs clearance and documentation.
- **2020** – Completion of a multimodal logistics hub adjacent to the port, featuring rail sidings connected to the Korail Gwangju Line and direct access to the Seoul‑Ring Expressway.
These developments have positioned Gwangju as a responsive link between the inland industrial belt of Gyeonggi‑do and the maritime gateway of the Yellow Sea.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay Length
The port currently operates **four main berths** with a combined quay length of **1,050 meters**. Berth depths range from **10.5 meters** (berth 1) to **13.0 meters** (berth 4), accommodating vessels with drafts up to 11.5 meters at mean tide.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Container cranes:** 2 × 35‑ton quasi‑Panamax gantry cranes (output ≈ 30 moves/hour each).
- **Mobile harbor cranes:** 4 × 50‑ton cranes for break‑bulk and heavy‑lift operations.
- **Reach‑stackers & forklifts:** 12 units for yard stacking and intra‑port transfer.
- **Conveyor systems:** Dedicated bulk handling lines for grain, coal, and scrap metal, capable of 1,200 t/h.
### Storage and Warehousing
The port provides **≈ 150,000 m²** of open storage yards and **≈ 30,000 m²** of covered warehouse space, including temperature‑controlled facilities for perishables. Adjacent to the port, a **logistics park** offers value‑added services such as customs bonded warehouses, container freight stations (CFS), and cross‑docking centers.
### Ancillary Services
- **Pilotage & tug assistance:** Provided by the Gwangju Pilotage Authority, with two 3,000 hp ASD tugs on standby.
- **Vessel Traffic Service (VTS):** Radar‑based monitoring covering the approaches to the port and the adjacent Gwangju Bay.
- **Bunkering:** Marine fuel (MGO) and low‑sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) available via truck‑to‑ship operations.
- **Repair & maintenance:** A small shipyard slipway (150 m length) catering to minor hull repairs and propeller servicing.
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to Regional GDP
According to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), Gwangju Port contributes roughly **₩1.2 trillion** (≈ US $950 million) annually to the gross regional product (GRP) of Gyeonggi‑do, representing about **0.8 %** of the province’s total economic output. The port’s multiplier effect—spurring logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing activities—amplifies this impact to an estimated **₩2.5 trillion** in indirect benefits.
### Employment and Logistics Hub
Direct employment at the port and its immediate support services totals **≈ 1,200** personnel, while indirect jobs in transportation, customs brokerage, and related industries exceed **4,500**. The port’s integration with the **Gwangju Inland Container Depot (ICD)** and the **Seoul‑Gwangju freight rail corridor** enables just‑in‑time delivery for high‑value manufacturers in the semiconductor, automotive, and display sectors clustered throughout Gyeonggi‑do.
### Government Initiatives
The South Korean government’s **Northern Economic Cooperation Vision** designates Gwangju as a strategic node for expanding trade with China’s Bohai Economic Rim and the Yellow Sea shipping lanes. Incentives include tax reductions for logistics firms, subsidies for eco‑friendly cargo‑handling equipment, and funding for the **Green Port Initiative**, which targets a 30 % reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 through shore‑power adoption and electric yard tractors.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Maritime Connectivity
Gwangju Port maintains regular feeder links to the transshipment hubs of **Busan**, **Incheon**, and **Kaohsiung (Taiwan)**. Weekly services connect to **Shanghai**, **Ningbo‑Zhoushan**, and **Xiamen** via the **China‑Korea Feeder Service (CKFS)**, operated by major carriers such as HMM and Hyundai Merchant Marine. Additionally, the port serves as a call‑point for **project cargo vessels** undertaking offshore wind farm construction in the Yellow Sea.
### Principal Cargo Types
- **Containerized goods:** Electronics components, textiles, and consumer goods account for roughly **45 %** of total throughput.
- **Break‑bulk:** Steel products, machinery, and construction materials constitute about **30 %**.
- **Bulk:** Coal, grain, and scrap metal make up the remaining **25 %**, with a growing share of **biomass pellets** destined for domestic power plants.
### Key Trading Partners
The port’s top trading partners by volume are:
1. **People’s Republic of China** (≈ 38 % of cargo) – mainly intermediate goods and raw materials.
2. **Vietnam** (≈ 12 %) – electronics and apparel exports.
3. **United States** (≈ 9 %) – high‑tech equipment and agricultural exports.
4. **Japan** (≈ 7 %) – automotive parts and precision instruments.
The combination of reliable feeder connections, modern handling equipment, and proximity to one of Asia’s most dynamic industrial regions ensures that Gwangju Port remains a vital cog in South Korea’s maritime logistics network, supporting both domestic supply chains and international trade flows.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRKWU
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeonggido [Kyonggi-do]
Latitude
37.400000
Longitude
127.250000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Gwangju?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Gwangju is KRKWU.
Where is Port of Gwangju located?
The Port of Gwangju is located in South Korea, Gyeonggido [Kyonggi-do]. Its coordinates are 37.4000°N, 127.2500°E.
What time zone is Port of Gwangju in?
Port of Gwangju 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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