Gunsan Port - KEPRI Suction Bucket Demonstrator

Profile for Gunsan Port

Location

Gunsan Port is located in North Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the south bank of the Geum River, just upstream from its exit into the Yellow Sea. It is approximately 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Seoul and 25 miles (40 km) west-northwest of the provincial capital, Jeonju.

History

Gunsan Port was established in 1899 and prospered as a trading port during the Japanese colonial period. It was initially developed to ship rice to Japan and has since grown into a significant commercial and industrial center. The port has a rich history, with modern buildings from the Japanese colonial era still present, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.

Port Characteristics

• Ownership and Operation: The port is owned by the South Korean government (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries), and each pier is operated by various shippers or unloaders.
• Infrastructure: The port consists of a total of 31 berths, a 6,756 meter long pier, and has a loading and unloading capacity of 27.97 million tons of cargo per year.
• Cargo Handling: Gunsan Port handles a variety of cargo, including general cargo, fishing, bulk carriers, oil/chemical tankers, and vehicles. It is particularly notable for its coal handling terminal, which was expanded in 2017 with a new 3 million ton coal terminal at Pier 7.

New Coal Terminal

• Operator: The new coal terminal at Pier 7 is operated by CJ Korea Express.
• Capacity: The terminal has a capacity of 3 million tons of coal per annum and started operating in September 2017.
• Challenges: The terminal's opening was initially delayed due to disputes over "freighter-to-loader" rates with Hanwha Energy and other shippers.

Connectivity and Services

• Land and Rail: The port is connected by both land and rail, with the Gunsan National Industrial Complex entrance railway opened in December 2020.
• Vessel Services: The port offers various vessel services, including shore cranes, shore grabs, forklifts, container lifters, and dry docking facilities. It also provides medical facilities for crew, bunker supply, fresh water supply, garbage removal, and sludge removal facilities.

Economic and Industrial Significance

• Manufacturing: Gunsan is a high-tech manufacturing industrial city, producing automobiles, electronics, metal products, and food products. The city hosts significant industrial facilities, including a GM Korea factory (until 2018) and a Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle factory.
• Free Trade Zone: A free trade zone was established in the early 21st century to encourage investment.
• Agriculture and Fishing: The city is also a major center for agriculture and fishing, with the Geum River plain being a significant rice-producing area.

Tourist and Cultural Attractions

• Historical Sites: The area around Gunsan Port features historical sites such as the Gunsan Modern History Museum and the Sinheung-dong Japanese-style House Street, which create a nostalgic atmosphere often referred to as a "time-travel village".
• Eunpa (Silver Wave): A local tourist attraction that includes a reservoir, cherry blossom tunnel, and various recreational activities like wind surfing and boating.

Military Presence

• Kunsan Air Base: Located near Gunsan, the base was originally constructed by the Japanese and later expanded and used by the United States Air Force. It remains a significant U.S. military installation in the region.

KEPRI Suction Bucket Demonstrator Wind Farm

While the primary focus of Gunsan Port is on general cargo, bulk carriers, and industrial activities, the proximity of the port to potential offshore wind farm projects could be advantageous. However, there is no specific information available linking Gunsan Port directly to the KEPRI Suction Bucket Demonstrator wind farm. The port's infrastructure and services, including its cargo handling capabilities and connectivity, could potentially support the logistics and construction needs of offshore wind projects in the region.

In summary, Gunsan Port is a multifaceted port with a rich history, significant industrial and economic importance, and the potential to support a variety of maritime and industrial activities, including those related to renewable energy projects.