UN/LOCODE: KROKP📍 South Korea
Port of Okpo/Geoje (UN/LOCODE KROKP)
❖ Coordinates: 34.8800°N, 128.7000°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KROKP
## About the Port
Situated on the southeastern coast of Geoje Island in Gyeongsangnam-do, the **Port of Okpo (UN/LOCODE: KROKP)** functions as a critical node in South Korea’s maritime industrial complex. Geographically positioned at 34.88°N, 128.70°E within the Korea Standard Time zone (UTC+9), the port benefits from a natural deep-water harbor shielded by the island’s topography, offering operational resilience against the seasonal typhoons that frequently traverse the Korea Strait.
Unlike commercial hubs such as Busan or Gwangyang optimized for container throughput, Okpo is globally recognized as a **specialized heavy-industrial port**. It serves as the maritime gateway for **Hanwha Ocean** (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering - DSME), one of the world’s largest shipbuilding yards. The port’s primary mandate revolves around the outfitting, launching, and delivery of VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers), LNG carriers, drillships, and naval vessels, alongside the import of heavy structural modules and raw steel plate. Its jurisdiction falls under the **Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Port Office**, ensuring regulatory compliance with the *Harbor Act* and international SOLAS/MARPOL standards.
## History
The evolution of Okpo is inextricably linked to the strategic industrialization policies of the 1970s. Prior to 1973, the area was a collection of fishing villages. The transformation began with the selection of Okpo Bay by the Daewoo Group for the construction of a world-class shipyard, driven by the Korean government’s "Heavy and Chemical Industry Drive."
* **1973–1981 (Construction & Commissioning):** Massive land reclamation and dredging operations created the initial fitting-out quays and dry docks. The first vessel, a 260,000 DWT VLCC, was delivered in 1979, marking Korea’s entry into the supertanker market.
* **1980s–2000s (Expansion & Diversification):** The facility expanded to include Dock No. 2 and No. 3, capable of accommodating vessels over 500,000 DWT. The port infrastructure evolved in parallel, adding heavy-lift gantry cranes (up to 900 tons) and specialized berths for offshore plant construction.
* **2019–Present (Restructuring):** Following Daewoo’s financial distress, the yard was acquired by Hanwha Group in 2022, rebranding as Hanwha Ocean. The port is currently undergoing a digital transformation initiative ("Smart Yard"), integrating Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Digital Twin technology for berth scheduling and logistics optimization.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
The port’s infrastructure is engineered for **extreme heavy-lift and oversized cargo operations**, distinguishing it from standard breakbulk terminals.
### Wet Infrastructure
* **Dry Docks:** Three graving docks dominate the facility.
* *Dock No. 1:* ~530m length, capable of 1,000,000 DWT class construction.
* *Dock No. 2 & 3:* Supporting simultaneous construction of multiple LNG carriers and offshore platforms.
* **Fitting-Out Quays:** Over 4,000 meters of deep-water berthing space (drafts 12m–15m) equipped with high-capacity shore power (High Voltage Shore Connection - HVSC) for LNG vessel commissioning and naval vessel silencing trials.
* **Launching Ways:** End-launching and side-launching systems for hull blocks up to 1,500 tons.
### Cargo Handling & Logistics
* **Goliath Cranes:** The yard operates several high-capacity gantry cranes, notably the **900-ton Goliath Crane** (installed 2011), essential for the modular construction methodology (Block Erection) of modern mega-ships.
* **Steel Yard & Pre-treatment:** Automated steel plate processing lines (shot blasting, priming, cutting) feed directly into the hull block fabrication shops via internal rail and transporter networks.
* **Specialized Terminals:** Dedicated berths for LNG bunkering trials and subsea equipment load-out (SURF - Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, Flowlines).
## Economic Importance
Okpo/Geoje is not merely a port; it is the **economic engine of Geoje City** and a strategic asset for the Republic of Korea’s defense industrial base.
* **Employment:** The Hanwha Ocean complex employs approximately 10,000 direct personnel, with an additional 20,000+ jobs supported by the dense ecosystem of subcontractors (blasting, painting, insulation, electrical, piping) clustered in the immediate hinterland.
* **Export Revenue:** As a primary delivery point for high-value assets (LNG carriers avg. $200M+/unit, Drillships $500M+/unit), the port facilitates billions of USD in annual export credits. It is a key contributor to Korea’s consistent ranking as the world’s #1 or #2 shipbuilding nation by CGT (Compensated Gross Tonnage).
* **Defense Readiness:** The port constructs the **KSS-III (Dosan Ahn Chang-ho class) submarines** and **KDX-III (Sejong the Great class) Aegis destroyers**. The secure harbor basin allows for the sensitive integration of combat management systems and weapons trials prior to Navy commissioning.
* **Regional Multiplier:** The port drives demand for specialized marine services—classification societies (KR, DNV, ABS), marine warranty surveyors, and offshore installation vessel operators—anchoring a high-skill maritime cluster in the Gyeongsang region.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Okpo operates on a **project-cargo/tramp shipping model** rather than fixed liner schedules. Trade lanes are dictated by the delivery routes of completed vessels and the procurement origins of raw materials.
### Outbound Routes (Vessel Delivery)
* **Middle East / Far East:** VLCCs and LNG carriers delivered to owners in Greece, Japan, China, and Middle Eastern energy majors (Saudi Aramco, QatarEnergy, ADNOC). Transit typically via the Malacca Strait -> Suez Canal -> Mediterranean or Cape of Good Hope.
* **Atlantic Basin:** Shuttle tankers and FPSOs destined for Brazil (Petrobras), West Africa (Angola, Nigeria), or the North Sea (Norway, UK). Route: Cape of Good Hope or Panama Canal (for Panamax beam units).
* **Arctic / Northern Sea Route (NSR):** Ice-class LNG carriers (Yamal LNG / Arctic LNG 2 projects) perform sea trials in Okpo waters before positioning via the NSR or Suez for year-round Arctic operations.
### Inbound Cargo Flows
* **Iron Ore & Steel Slabs:** Imported from **Australia (Port Hedland, Dampier)** and **Brazil (Tubarão, Ponta da Madeira)** via Capesize bulkers to dedicated raw material berths or transshipped via Gwangyang/Busan to coastal feeders.
* **Heavy Modules & Equipment:** Topside modules for FPSOs/FLNGs fabricated in Southeast Asia (Batam, Singapore, China) arrive via Heavy Lift Vessels (HLVs) / Semi-submersible carriers (e.g., *Dockwise* fleet) for final integration.
* **LNG Bunkering:** Increasing LNG bunker calls support dual-fuel newbuilds undergoing gas trials, supplied from the nearby Tongyeong LNG Terminal or Busan New Port.
### Connectivity
While Okpo lacks a dedicated container terminal, it maintains high-efficiency **Ro-Ro and feeder connections to Busan New Port (approx. 40km east)**. This link integrates the yard’s spare parts, high-tech navigational equipment, and interior outfitting materials into the global containerized supply chain. For real-time vessel tracking and port state control inspection records, stakeholders reference the **Korean Port Information System (Port-MIS)** and the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) GISIS** database.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KROKP
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]
Latitude
34.880000
Longitude
128.700000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Okpo/Geoje?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Okpo/Geoje is KROKP.
Where is Port of Okpo/Geoje located?
The Port of Okpo/Geoje is located in South Korea, Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]. Its coordinates are 34.8800°N, 128.7000°E.
What time zone is Port of Okpo/Geoje in?
Port of Okpo/Geoje operates in the Asia/Seoul time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.52 m
Wave Direction202°
Swell Height0.48 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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