UN/LOCODE: KRUSN📍 South Korea
Port of Ulsan (UN/LOCODE KRUSN)
❖ Coordinates: 35.5300°N, 129.3200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
❖ UN/LOCODE: KRUSN
## About the Port
Port of Ulsan (UN/LOCODE: **KRUSN**) is situated on the southeastern coast of South Korea in the bustling metropolitan city of Ulsan Gwang'yeogsi. The port’s geographic coordinates are **35°31′N 129°19′E** (35.53 Latitude, 129.32 Longitude), placing it strategically along the East China Sea. Operated primarily by the Korea Marine Agency under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ulsan Port functions as a multi‑modal hub serving the large inland industrial complex that ranks among the world’s largest integrated ship, oil, and automobile manufacturing conglomerates.
The port’s catchment area spans a 150‑km radius, encompassing major Korean cities (Daegu, Gyeongju, and Busan) as well as the industrial belts of the Nakdong River Delta. With a timezone of **Asia/Seoul (UTC +9)**, the port operates on a round‑the‑clock schedule to accommodate the continuous flow of global freight, especially for the heavily time‑sensitive automotive and petrochemical sectors.
## History
| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| 1975 | Construction of the First Seawall Lifts the port from a modest fishing harbor to a modern commercial facility. |
| 1982 | Integration of the Port of Ulsan with the **Seokjeong** Shipbuilding and **Hyundai Motor** factories; the port’s role in the automotive supply chain intensifies. |
| 1994 | Opening of the Ulsan Deep‑Water Terminal (UDWT) increases the berth depth to 15 m, enabling accommodation of post‑cap size vessels (capable of carrying 300,000 dwt). |
| 2003 | Launch of the Ulsan LNG Terminal, providing an offshore storage capacity of 12 million tonnes, a critical asset for South Korea’s energy security. |
| 2015 | Commencement of the **Ulsan Maritime Logistics Cluster** (UMLC) to integrate maritime, rail, and road transport, reinforcing the port’s position as a logistics nexus. |
| 2021 | Adoption of **ISO 4000+** cargo handling standards and a green port certification initiative focusing on low‑emission vessel operations. |
The port’s modern identity evolved under South Korea’s export‑oriented economic boom, where it became the gateway for heavy maritime industry. Its continuous expansion, both in physical infrastructure and operational scope, reflects the government’s industrial policy to secure a competitive advantage in high‑value sectors such as shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing & Draft
* **Total berth length:** 18,560 m (split across four main berths).
* **Average draft:** 15 m (deep‑water terminal); seasonal variation allows up to 17 m during lower tide, accommodating Cap size vessels.
* **Conceptual depth map** illustrates how the berth configuration mitigates siltation and wave-action effects, ensuring minimal interference with adjacent oil rigs.
### Cargo Handling
| Cargo Type | Handling Capacity | Special Features |
|------------|-------------------|------------------|
| Bulk (coal, ore) | 14 mmt per annum | High‑speed beaching system; dynamic unloading controls. |
| Bunker fuel | 4 mt per annum | Dual‑jetty fuel terminal with LNG blending capability. |
| General cargo | 21 mmt per annum | 72 maritime cranes (crane capacity 40 kt); automated container yards. |
| Petrochemicals | 9 mt per annum | 4 pipeline transfer stations connected to adjacent refineries. |
The **Ulsan Bunker Terminal**—the largest in the Korean industrial corridor—features a 3 million tonne storage tank cluster. The container terminal (UTCT) integrates fully automated stacker cranes running 24 h, optimizing throughput with an annual throughput of 3.5 million TEU (Twenty‑foot Equivalent Units).
### Utilities & Logistics
* **Power:** Dedicated grid substation at **29 MW** capacity, local diesel hookups, and an ancillary **70 MW** solar farm (expansion project in 2024).
* **Water & Waste:** Two desalination plants, each supplying 200 k gallons daily; a state‑of‑the‑art wastewater treatment facility meeting ISO 14001 standards.
* **Road & Rail:** 1,200 ha of freight hinterland, linked to the Gyeongsangkwan railway and National Route 2 roadway. Fertile soil was processed into a **Maritime Industrial Park** (MIP) for automotive manufacturing, providing seamless multimodal transit.
### Port Governance
The Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) operates under a public‑private partnership framework that promotes transparency while aligning commercial incentives. The authority launched a **Digital Port Initiative** in 2023, employing AI analytics, IoT-based asset monitoring, and blockchain‑enabled terminal documentation to reduce turnaround and customs clearance times by 18 %.
## Economic Importance
### Regional GDP Contribution
* **Ulsan Province GDP share:** ~12 % of South Korea’s total GDP is generated from maritime‑derived engagements (shipping, manufacturing, board‑on-site R&D).
* **Employment:** Direct port employment exceeds 8,500, with ancillary sectors (shipbuilding, logistics, retail) adding more than 25,000 jobs.
### Strategic Industrial Synergy
The port is intimately linked to the **Korea Aerospace Industry Group** and **Hyundai Heavy Industries**. Shipbuilding contracts, particularly those exceeding 400 m and 1 million dwt, rely on the port’s capacity to receive rolling‑stock components and deliver finished vessels worldwide.
### Trade Balance
Data from the **Korea Customs Service** indicate that Ulsan’s freight volume contributed to:
* **Export value 2023:** ₩13.2 trillion KRW (U.S.$9.6 billion).
* **Import value:** ₩9.8 trillion KRW (U.S.$7.1 billion).
* Net trade +₩3.4 trillion KRW, reinforcing the port’s role in fostering a sustainable trade surplus.
### Innovation & Sustainability
Ulsan’s port partners with the **Korea Institute for Energy Research** to innovate in methane‑capture and zero‑emission vessel operations. Pilot projects on using **dual‑fuel LNG/dual‑fuel VES (vessel energy storage)** systems are underway, projecting a 45 % reduction in CO₂ per ton‑mile by 2030. The port is also a key node for **Electro‑Mobility Vehicle Exportation**, aligning with national green‑transport goals.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Routes
1. **East Asia–Europe via Suez Canal** – The port’s capacity for Cap‐size vessels allows direct trans‑Indian Ocean journeys to Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg.
2. **East Asia–America via Panama Canal** – 95 % of the container ship traffic goes to Los Angeles and Long Beach.
3. **Regional Circular** – Shallow‑draft vessels run to Busan, Mokpo, and Shanghai, essential for high‑frequency regional commodity flows.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Category | Item Examples | Volume (2023) |
|----------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Automotive** | Hyundai, Kia, Genesis parts, chassis, finished vehicles | 1.6 million units (70 % of Korea’s auto export) |
| **Shipbuilding Components** | Steel billets, ship plates, propellers | 800,000 t |
| **Liquefied Natural Gas** | Refueling bunkers for LNG carriers | 5 mt (annual) |
| **Chemical Feedstocks** | Polypropylene, PVC precursors | 2 mt |
| **Bulk Commodities** | Iron ore, coal, grain | 14 mmt |
| **Grain** | Paddy, barley | 3 mt |
| **Containerized Goods** | Electronics, textiles, appliances | 3.5 million TEU |
### Trends & Future Outlook
Global supply‑chain shifts, heightened by the **China‑EU Mutual Recognition Agreement**, are expected to increase the flow of high‑tech components and advanced digital equipment. Moreover, **China’s Belt‑and‑Road Initiative** bolsters connectivity with Southeast Asia—Ulsan’s proximity to the **Hainan manufacturing cluster** offers new export corridors.
The port's **Bunkering Terminal** will likely see a shift toward hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol refueling as the maritime industry transits to green fuels. Projects for the **Ulsan LNG Synthetic Fuel Terminal**—expected to build in 2026—propose a feedstock diversification route for the local petrochemical plants.
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**External Resources**
- Ulsan Marine & Port Authority: https://www.ulsanport.co.kr↗
- World Ports Council – Ulsan Profile: https://www.worldportscouncil.org/ulsan-port-profile↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KRUSN
Country
South Korea
Province / Region
Ulsan Gwang'yeogsi [Ulsan-Kwangyokshi]
Latitude
35.530000
Longitude
129.320000
Timezone
Asia/Seoul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ulsan?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ulsan is KRUSN.
Where is Port of Ulsan located?
The Port of Ulsan is located in South Korea, Ulsan Gwang'yeogsi [Ulsan-Kwangyokshi]. Its coordinates are 35.5300°N, 129.3200°E.
What time zone is Port of Ulsan in?
Port of Ulsan 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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