Exporters to avoid Kunsan

Importers and exporters from North Cholla province are reportedly reluctant to use the Port of Kunsan.

According to Kunsan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Oct. 7, it was revealed in the survey of over 60 trading companies in North Cholla that most of them refrain from using the Port of Kunsan because it is short of regular container vessels.

Based on the results from 49 companies concerning their favorite ports, the Port of Pusan took the lion’s share with 57%, or 28 companies, while Kwangyang followed with 17 companies or 35%. The Port of Inchon was favored by 3 companies (6%) and the Port of Kunsan was favored by only one company. Out of 27 general cargo trading companies, 19 companies, or 71%, preferred the Port of Pusan, and 4 companies liked to use Kunsan. Inchon tied Kwangyang with two general cargo trading companies.

Amongst 34 companies, Pusan ranked first place with 23 companies using it and Kwangyang placed second with 7 companies. Kunsan and Inchon were tied with two companies.

To avoid using the Port of Kunsan, 67% of the surveyed companies answered that timely transportation was a problem because of lack of regular container vessels. Insufficient cargo handling capabilities and poor port facilities were also picked up as a reason for shunning the Port of Kunsan.

These trading companies called for more diverse container trades to open and construction of container-dedicated berths.