Inter-Korean cargoes on the wane last year

North-South Korea cargo movements by vessels dropped by 28.5 percent to 703,145 tons compared with 983,612 tons a year ago. On the other hand, vessel operations posted a 20.9 percent increase to 2,073 on a one-way basis, up from 1,714 a year earlier.

An official at Ministry of Unification said that it accounted for an 81.8 percent decrease of crude oil by KEDO (Korea Energy Development Organization) and a 79.0 percent fall in mineral products imports from North Korea. He also added that vessel-operating increases were dependent on growth in trade and importing North Korean agricultural and sea products. In addition, trade in charity goods is increasing.

Vessels running to North Korea from South Korea, break down like this: from Tonghae 316, Pusan 177, Mookho 171, Inchon 117, and Ulsan 66. From North Korean ports to South Korea: Changjeon 422, Haejoo 187, Nampo 185, Hungnam 136, and Najin 79.

By trade, Tonghae and Changjeon showed the most active operating numbers, 604 due to the Mt. Kumgang cruise ship. Inchon and Nampo followed with 226, Mookho and Hungnam with 197, and Inchon and Haejoo 169.