The Incheon coastal ferry docks and terminals, vital transportation hubs for accessing the city's islands, are facing severe congestion. The increasing number and size of ferries, aimed at ensuring daily commuting for island residents, have led to a shortage of available berths. Worryingly, there is currently no designated pier to accommodate the large-scale ferry scheduled to operate between Incheon and Baengnyeong Island.
Furthermore, the recent implementation of the 'I-Ba-da Pass,' which significantly lowered ferry fares to the level of city buses, is expected to dramatically increase island visitors. This surge in demand will likely push the already strained terminal facilities beyond their capacity.
Overwhelmed Berths Struggle to Meet Rising Ferry Demand
Historically, the Incheon Yeon-an Pier has served as the primary departure point for ferries to the islands. Island residents often had to spend at least one night on the mainland due to inconvenient ferry schedules. To address this, Ongjin County has been increasing the number of ferries departing from the islands to facilitate same-day round trips for residents. This effort to improve islanders' daily lives, coupled with the introduction of larger replacement ferries, has exacerbated the existing shortage of docking space.
The piers at the Yeon-an Wharf, consisting of 14 berths including floating docks, can simultaneously accommodate nine ferries. By length, Pier 2 is 120 meters, Pier 3 is 150 meters, and Pier 4 is 120 meters. The Incheon-Jeju car ferry pier, with a length of 184 meters and a depth of 11 meters, was specifically built for large car ferries. Currently, 12 ferries, including reserve vessels, operate from the Incheon Yeon-an Ferry Terminal.
This has resulted in a critical shortage of berthing facilities, forcing the temporary use of the Incheon-Jeju car ferry pier. The situation is set to worsen in three years with the planned introduction of a 2,000-ton class or larger ferry on the Baengnyeong Island route, for which no dedicated berth currently exists, necessitating urgent countermeasures.
Aging Terminal Faces Capacity Crisis, Expansion Urgently Needed
The Yeon-an Ferry Terminal, built in 1995, is a three-story building with a total floor area of 5,482 square meters on a 13,013 square meter site, including parking for 264 vehicles. Designed to handle an average of one million passengers annually, the terminal is now operating beyond its capacity. During weekends and peak seasons, the number of users often exceeds its 4,000-person capacity.
Parking facilities are also inadequate, with overflow being directed to the parking lot of the First International Passenger Terminal. However, the distance to this auxiliary parking discourages its use by ferry passengers.
Ongjin County and island residents have repeatedly called for the expansion of the terminal facilities, but no concrete plans have materialized. A proposal to utilize the First International Passenger Terminal after its relocation to Songdo was rejected by the Incheon Port Authority (IPA).
Prompt Action Required to Expand Terminal Facilities Amidst Growing Demand
The IPA, the managing authority of the port, acknowledges the challenges posed by the increasing size of ferries and the introduction of the large Incheon-Baengnyeong ferry. An IPA official stated, "We are considering utilizing the car ferry pier to secure a berth for the large Baengnyeong route car ferry. We have approximately three years to prepare."
However, the car ferry pier was designed for large car ferries, and accommodating a 2,000-ton class car ferry will likely require facility upgrades. Experts point out that a swift review of facility usage and subsequent reinforcement work are crucial to avoid disruptions to the Baengnyeong route operations.
The IPA previously attempted to repurpose the closed Incheon-Jeju car ferry route for cargo ships through two unsuccessful public tenders, after which the terminal was closed.
A maritime industry insider commented, "During weekends and peak seasons, the lack of terminal facilities causes numerous complaints. The Incheon Port Authority must urgently develop a comprehensive plan for the Yeon-an Ferry Terminal." The current congestion at the Incheon coastal ferry docks and terminals poses a significant impediment to island accessibility and the daily lives of residents. Without timely investment in expanding both berthing facilities and terminal infrastructure, these vital transportation links risk becoming bottlenecks, hindering the region's connectivity and the well-being of its island communities.
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