UN/LOCODE: KRTYG📍 South Korea
Port of Tongyeong (UN/LOCODE KRTYG)
❖ Coordinates: 34.8300°N, 128.4200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRTYG
## About the Port
**Tongyeong Port (UN/LOCODE: KRTYG)** is a strategically positioned multi-purpose harbor situated on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Located at coordinates 34.83°N, 128.42°E, the port operates within the Asia/Seoul timezone (UTC+9) and serves as the primary maritime gateway for the Tongyeong-si municipal area. Unlike the massive industrial complexes of Busan or Ulsan, Tongyeong functions as a critical *regional logistics hub* and a specialized *fisheries and marine tourism center*, leveraging the deeply indented ria coastline of Hallyeohaesang National Park.
The port’s geography is defined by a natural archipelago shelter—comprising over 570 islands—which provides exceptional natural breakwater protection, allowing for near year-round operability with minimal swell penetration. This topographical advantage minimizes dredging maintenance costs compared to open-coast facilities. Administratively, the port falls under the jurisdiction of the **Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)**, managed locally by the Tongyeong Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries. It is classified as a **National Trade Port (Category 2)** and a **Coastal Port**, designating it for both international cargo handling and domestic coastal shipping/ferry operations.
## History
Tongyeong’s maritime significance predates its modern port designation by centuries. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), the city—then known as *Chungmu*—served as the headquarters of the **Three-Province Naval Command (Samdo Sugun Tongjeyeong)**, controlling naval forces for Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong provinces. Admiral Yi Sun-sin utilized the sheltered waters and strategic islands (notably Hansando) as a primary base for operations against Japanese invasions during the Imjin War (1592–1598).
The transition to a modern commercial port began in **1923** under Japanese colonial administration with the opening of Tongyeong-hang for coastal shipping. Post-liberation and the Korean War, the port expanded to support refugee relocation and regional reconstruction. A pivotal modernization phase occurred in the **1970s and 1980s**, coinciding with the Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement), which funded quay wall construction and breakwater extensions to support the burgeoning aquaculture industry.
The **2000s** marked a strategic pivot toward "Marine Tourism" and "Green Port" concepts. The designation of Hallyeohaesang National Park (1968) and the subsequent UNESCO Biosphere Reserve listing (2003) for the surrounding archipelago shifted development priorities toward sustainable cruise terminals, marina facilities, and ferry connectivity to the islands, balancing commercial throughput with ecological preservation.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Tongyeong Port’s infrastructure is distributed across several distinct districts: the **Central District (Jungang-dong)**, the **Fisheries District (Munam/Donam)**, and the emerging **Yacht & Marina District**.
### Commercial & Cargo Berths
The port maintains **7 primary commercial berths** with a total quay length of approximately 1,450 meters.
* **Berth Capacity:** Accommodates vessels up to **10,000 DWT** with a maximum draft of **8.5m** (at HW).
* **Cargo Handling Equipment:** Equipped with 2 mobile harbor cranes (40-ton capacity), 5 forklifts (3–25 ton), and 2 reach stackers. Conveyor systems are installed at dedicated berths for bulk aggregates (sand, gravel, limestone).
* **Storage:** 45,000 m² of open storage yards and 8,500 m² of covered transit sheds. A dedicated **Cold Storage Complex** (capacity: 12,000 tons) supports the seafood supply chain, maintaining -25°C to -40°C ranges.
### Fisheries & Coastal Terminals
As a **Category 1 Fishery Port**, Tongyeong hosts one of Korea’s largest distant-water and coastal fishery fleets.
* **Fishery Wharves:** 3,200 meters of dedicated berthing space for 500+ fishing vessels.
* **Processing:** Adjacent **Tongyeong Fish Market** and **Fishery Product Processing Complex** (HACCP certified) facilitate immediate landing, auction, and value-added processing (drying, freezing, canning).
* **Ice & Fuel Supply:** Automated ice plants (200 tons/day) and bunkering stations (MGO/Diesel) operate 24/7.
### Passenger & Cruise Terminals
* **Coastal Ferry Terminal:** 4 ro-ro/ferry berths serving high-speed craft (HSC) and car ferries to Geojedo, Jejudo, and the immediate archipelago (annual throughput: ~2.5M passengers).
* **Tongyeong International Cruise Terminal (Completed 2021):** A 150m berth with 8.5m depth capable of handling 50,000–80,000 GT cruise vessels. Includes CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) facilities compliant with IMO FAL Convention standards.
### Tongyeong Marina & Yacht Harbor
Developed under the **"Marina 5+5 Project"**, this facility offers 300 wet berths (up to 50m LOA) and 100 dry-stack slots, targeting the domestic leisure marine sector and international regatta circuits.
## Economic Importance
Tongyeong Port is the economic engine of the southern Gyeongsangnam-do region, generating an estimated **KRW 1.2 trillion (approx. USD 900M) in annual gross regional marine product**.
### Fisheries & Aquaculture Dominance
The port lands approximately **350,000 metric tons** of seafood annually, representing ~12% of Korea’s total coastal catch. It is the nation’s **#1 producer of farmed oysters (Crassostrea gigas)** and a top-tier hub for mussels, pearl oysters, and sea squirts (Halocynthia roretzi). The "Tongyeong Oyster" holds Geographical Indication (GI) status, commanding premium pricing in domestic and Japanese export markets. The cold-chain logistics cluster directly employs over 8,000 workers in processing, packaging, and logistics.
### Shipbuilding & Repair
The **Tongyeong Shipyard Cluster** (SME-focused) specializes in aluminum high-speed craft, fishing vessel repair, and patrol boat construction for the Korea Coast Guard. The natural shelter allows for afloat repairs without expensive graving docks, supporting ~15 SME yards.
### Marine Tourism & Blue Economy
The cruise terminal and marina drive a service economy valued at KRW 200B+ annually. The "Hallyeo Waterway" sightseeing cruise and island-hopping ferries create high multiplier effects in hospitality and retail. The port authority actively promotes **Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)** to deconflict aquaculture zones, navigation channels, and leisure zones.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Cargo Profile (Annual Throughput: ~4.5 Million Revenue Tons)
Tongyeong is a **bulk and breakbulk specialist**; container throughput is negligible (<5,000 TEU), feedered via Busan New Port (PNC).
| Cargo Category | Volume (Est. MT) | Trade Flow | Key Partners |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Aggregates (Sand/Gravel/Limestone)** | 2.8M | Domestic Coastal / Import | South Sea EEZ dredging; Japan (Tsushima limestone) |
| **Seafood (Frozen/Live/Processed)** | 180k | Export / Domestic Distribution | Japan, China, USA, EU, Southeast Asia |
| **Petroleum Products (Coastal)** | 450k | Domestic Distribution (Bunkering) | Yeosu/Onsan Refineries → Southern Region |
| **General Cargo (Steel/Scrap/Machinery)** | 120k | Import / Coastal | Japan, China, Southeast Asia |
| **Cement/Fly Ash** | 300k | Coastal | Domestic Plants (Ssangyong, Hanil) |
### Key Trade Routes
1. **Korea-Japan Short Sea Route:** The primary international vector. Regular RORO/LoLo services connect Tongyeong ↔ **Shimonoseki / Hakata (Fukuoka) / Tsushima**. Transit time: 3–5 hours (HSC) / 12–14 hours (conventional ferry). This route handles the bulk of live fish exports (e.g., live halibut, abalone) and fresh oyster imports/exports.
2. **Domestic Coastal "Sea Highway" (Korea Expressway Corp. Sea Routes):** High-frequency feeder services linking Tongyeong → **Busan New Port (transshipment hub)**, **Ulsan**, **Mokpo**, and **Jeju**. Critical for moving aggregates to Busan construction markets and distributing refined petroleum products to the southern peninsula.
3. **Archipelago Inter-Island Network:** A dense mesh of 20+ ferry routes connecting the mainland to inhabited islands (Geoje, Hansan, Yokji, Saryang). This is designated **Public Service Obligation (PSO)** routes, subsidized to maintain lifeline connectivity.
### Logistics Integration
The port is connected to the **National Highway Network (Expressway No. 10, Tongyeong-Daejeon Expressway)** via a 4-lane access road (5km to IC). Rail connectivity is absent; the nearest freight station is **Gwangyang** (approx. 45km by road), necessitating trucking for hinterland distribution. Current infrastructure planning focuses on **"Smart Port" integration**—implementing Port Community Systems (PCS) and automated gate systems (AGS) to reduce truck turnaround time from 45 mins to <20 mins, enhancing competitiveness against the larger Gwangyang Port for breakbulk cargo.
> *For official port statistics and regulatory notices, refer to the **Tongyeong Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries** portal.* [^1]
> *Geospatial data and nautical charts for KRTYG are maintained by the **Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA)**.* [^2]
[^1]: https://tongyeong.mof.go.kr/
[^2]: https://www.khoa.go.kr/
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRTYG
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]
Latitude
34.830000
Longitude
128.420000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tongyeong?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tongyeong is KRTYG.
Where is Port of Tongyeong located?
The Port of Tongyeong is located in South Korea, Gyeongsangnamdo [Kyongsangnam-do]. Its coordinates are 34.8300°N, 128.4200°E.
What time zone is Port of Tongyeong in?
Port of Tongyeong 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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