Comprehensive Maritime Information on South Korea

1. Geography and Port Infrastructures in South Korea

South Korea, located on the Korean peninsula, benefits from a strategic geographical position with a long maritime frontage on the Yellow Sea to the west and the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east. Its coastline extends over approximately 2,413 kilometers, providing major access to international maritime routes. The country has several important ports that are hubs of global maritime trade. Among them, the port of Busan is the largest and represents a nerve center for maritime transport, equipped with modern terminals capable of handling a wide range of goods, from containers to liquid and solid bulk.

Besides Busan, other major ports include Incheon, near Seoul, which also manages significant container and passenger traffic, as well as Pohang and Ulsan, specialized in industrial exchanges and shipbuilding. South Korea continuously invests in the modernization of its port infrastructures to strengthen its competitiveness in the global maritime market. The country enjoys good connectivity with the rail and highway network, facilitating rapid transfer of goods inland and to neighboring countries.

Moreover, numerous coastal industrial zones, where companies related to shipbuilding, petrochemical industry, and maritime technologies are concentrated, make South Korea a major player in the Asian and global maritime sector.

2. Maritime Challenges and Activities: Safety, Economy, and Environment

Maritime safety is a priority in South Korea, notably due to its sensitive geopolitical situation and dense maritime traffic. The country has a strong navy and a specialized administration, the Korea Coast Guard, responsible for maritime surveillance, marine pollution prevention, and managing navigation-related risks. Strict control and port management measures are in place to ensure the security of operations and compliance with international standards.

Economically, the sea plays a major role in South Korea's exports and imports. The maritime industry includes shipbuilding, export of manufactured goods, fishing, and maritime transport. South Korea is one of the world's leaders in shipbuilding with renowned shipyards such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. These actors manufacture high-tech vessels, from container ships to specialized ships for the offshore industry.

In the environmental field, South Korea is committed to protecting marine areas and combating pollution. Policies are implemented for sustainable management of marine resources, control of industrial discharges, and preservation of coastal ecosystems. Initiatives to promote ecological maritime transport and reduce polluting emissions are also at the heart of recent sector developments.