Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council Announces Top 10 News Stories for 2025
[News S = Senior Correspondent Kim Jong-sik] The Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council announced the top 10 news stories for Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port in 2025 on the 18th, including 'Achieving 100 Million Tons of Cargo Volume for 10 Consecutive Years.'
The selection of the top 10 news stories involved 12 officials from Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority, Pyeongtaek University, the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council, the Pyeongtaek Port Research Institute, the Pyeongtaek Port Workers Union, and the Pyeongtaek Citizens Newspaper, who selected 18 candidates across policy, cargo volume, transportation networks, hinterland zones, and culture, before finalizing the top 10 through a public opinion survey.
The top 10 news stories include △Achieving 100 million tons of cargo volume for 10 consecutive years △Improved accessibility to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port through opening of Ihwa-Samgye Provincial Road △Conclusion of the nation's first integrated dredging project implementation agreement △Successful Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port 'Cha Cha Cha' festival and enhanced promotional activities △Continued 'different dreams' regarding Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's 'old terminal site utilization' plan △Completion of 1.134 million ㎡ hinterland zone, positioning port as logistics hub △Chungcheongnam Province attracting 400 billion won in private investment near Dangjin Port 'K-Mobility Hub Creation' agreement △Gyeonggi Province's aggressive port sales amid US tariff waves △Start of full operations at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's new international passenger terminal △Active investment recruitment in Pyeongtaek and Asan port hinterland zones.
1st Place: Achieving 100 Million Tons of Cargo Volume for 10 Consecutive Years and Continued Cargo Growth
As of the end of 2024, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's cargo volume reached 116.71 million TEU, increasing 0.1% year-on-year and achieving 100 million tons for the 10th consecutive year. This year is expected to perform better than last year despite headwinds from US tariffs and exchange rates. Last year's container cargo volume was 924,736 TEU, up 12.7% year-on-year, maintaining the 4th place position nationwide, and automobile cargo volume was 1.561 million units, maintaining the nation's top port status for the 13th consecutive year. The increase in container cargo is seen as a result of additional route openings. While voices have grown calling for ports to develop into higher value-added facilities, port officials recognize that cargo creation and growth remain important for Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's development.
2nd Place: Improved Accessibility to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Including Ihwa-Samgye Provincial Road Opening
The Ihwa-Samgye road expansion project creates a new four-lane road over a 6.27 km section from Hongwon-ri, Poseung-eup to Hyeongok-ri, Cheongbuk-eup in Pyeongtaek City, with a total project cost of 168.5 billion won. This road is a key auxiliary arterial road connecting the southwest logistics hub centered on Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port with Poseung National Industrial Complex, Cheongbuk residential district, and Godeok New City. Upon full opening, the travel distance between Poseung National Industrial Complex, Cheongbuk district, and Godeok New City has been reduced from 25 km to 18 km, reducing 6 km, which is expected to improve resident mobility and enhance logistics efficiency. The Pyeongtaek Lake Crossway connecting Paengseong-eup and Poseung-eup will also fully open in March, with improved accessibility from Pyeongtaek Station to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's inner harbor. The causeway connection project (1,750 m) linking Sinpyeong-myeon in Dangjin to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's inner harbor has a confirmed 2026 project schedule with a planned 2030 opening, with groundbreaking scheduled for May. The comprehensive traffic network centered on Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port is being expanded and is expected to greatly contribute to the port's development.
3rd Place: Nation's First Integrated Dredging Project Implementation Agreement Concluded
The 'Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Liquid Wharf Integrated Maintenance Dredging Project Implementation Agreement,' concluded by seven related agencies including Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority, Korea Gas Corporation, and Pyeongtaek Regional Maritime Fisheries Administration as the nation's first for safe and efficient port operations, ranked 3rd. Signed on October 28 at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's Marine Center, this agreement is part of an integrated port maintenance project designed to eliminate issues previously arising from individual dredging, such as reduced vessel entry/exit safety and decreased wharf usability due to tidal waiting periods, while reducing dredging time and costs. The project, which establishes an integrated administration and dredging model among the seven agencies through public-private-public cooperation governance, is evaluated as setting a new standard for future port operations.
4th Place: Successful Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port 'Cha Cha Cha' Festival and Enhanced Promotion Achievements
In its third year of operation, the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Promotion Academy run by the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council achieved significant response with broad citizen and organizational participation, earning 4th place for promotion enhancement achievements. Survey results showed that over 90% of participants gained proper understanding of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port and requested business expansion. Notably, to promote the 39-year-old young port, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port, not only to Pyeongtaek citizens but nationwide, the private sector produced and distributed a 'Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port newsletter,' a national first. The 'First Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Festival, Let's All Cha Cha Cha,' hosted by local governments and private organizations to promote Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port as the nation's top automobile cargo port, successfully held on September 18 with over 13,000 attendees, earning praise for opening a new festival venue promoting Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port nationwide.
5th Place: Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port 'Old Passenger Terminal Site Utilization' Plan Continues as 'Different Dreams'
Conflict has emerged among port-related agencies and organizations over the old passenger terminal site utilization. Disputes over 'waterfront recreation space' versus 'logistics site utilization' remain unresolved and are expected to continue as an issue next year. Pyeongtaek City and some port-related organizations maintain that since the Fourth Port Master Plan designates it as a waterfront facility and Pyeongtaek City has been preparing usage plans, it should be developed as a waterfront space. However, logistics-related industries, workers, and port authorities maintain that the site should be developed as a logistics area to strengthen port competitiveness.
6th Place: Completion of 1.134 Million ㎡ Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Hinterland Zone, Port Logistics Hub Takes Off
The Phase 2-1 stage of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port, spanning 1.134 million ㎡, has been completed. On October 27, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the completion of a 1.134 million ㎡ Phase 2-1 port hinterland zone aimed at complementing and strengthening the logistics function of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port. The developed hinterland zone plans to attract logistics and manufacturing companies either for direct use by the business operator or through rental and sale arrangements. Of the 1.134 million ㎡, 711,000 ㎡ will be allocated for integrated logistics and manufacturing facilities, 105,000 ㎡ for business and convenience facilities, and the remaining 318,000 ㎡ for roads and green spaces.
7th Place: Dangjin City's Godae Wharf Area Attracts 400 Billion Won in Private Investment, 'K-Mobility Hub Creation' Agreement
Chungcheongnam Province Governor Kim Tae-heum, Dangjin Mayor Oh Seong-hwan, and SK Rent-a-Car CEO Lee Jeong-hwan signed a business agreement on November 17 at the Chungcheongnam Provincial Government Office to promote the 'K-Mobility Auto Hub General Logistics Complex Development Project,' announcing plans to create South Korea's first state-of-the-art integrated logistics complex attracting 400 billion won in private investment in the Dangjin Godae Wharf area to lead automobile exports. The logistics complex will be developed on a 720,000 ㎡ site near Dangjin's Godae Wharf. If the project succeeds, Chungcheongnam Province indicates it will generate annual production inducement effects of 6.5 trillion won, added value effects of 2.3 trillion won, tax effects of 77 billion won, and employment inducement effects of 8,000 people.
8th Place: Gyeonggi Province's Aggressive Port Sales Amid US Tariff Waves
While Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port, ranking first nationwide in automobile cargo volume, was expected to face significant impact from the US tariff bomb, fortunately a Korea-US tariff agreement was reached at the end of October, substantially resolving export risks. November automobile export figures reached 6.41 billion dollars, up 13.7% year-on-year, buoyed by strong sales of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province organized a Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port sales delegation in late February to visit Europe to explore de-sinicization pathways for export companies in the province and establish networks with global automobile import/export ports. The delegation visited ports and companies in European countries including Spain (Barcelona), France (Marseille), and Belgium (Zeebrugge, Antwerp).
9th Place: Commencement of Full Operations at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's New International Passenger Terminal
The full operation of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's new international passenger terminal, completed in October last year and opened on December 10, was selected. While the new international passenger terminal was expected to contribute to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's development, issues such as inadequate wharf operator selection prior to the revision, insufficient cargo yards, and safety concerns from passenger-cargo mixing were anticipated. As various issues emerged during actual operations, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Minister Kang Do-hyung visited the international passenger terminal site on February 7 to inspect operations and carefully examined departure/arrival halls, integrated command centers, baggage claim areas, and waiting halls. The Pyeongtaek Maritime Police Agency has established a policy to resolve emerging issues as quickly as possible.
10th Place: Active Investment Recruitment in Pyeongtaek and Asan Port Hinterland Zones Centered on Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port
Over the past 10 years, Asan City has attracted 166 companies, achieved 23.13 trillion won in investment, and created 129,000 new jobs, building an image of a city that grows together with businesses. Behind this growth is the geographic advantage of proximity to Cheongju Airport, Incheon Airport, and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port. In particular, Asan City's large-scale business attraction activities utilizing Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port are expected to remain active, making strategic approaches for mutual development with Pyeongtaek very necessary at this time. Meanwhile, Pyeongtaek City and the Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone Authority signed investment agreements on November 17 with three automobile parts manufacturers totaling 40.8 billion won in the Pyeongtaek Poseung area (BIX), conducting active business attraction activities in the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port area.
In addition, while not ranking in the top 10, other selected items included △First groundbreaking for Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Phase 2-3 hinterland zone △Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Port Authority 'Category 1 Port Hinterland Zone Business Convenience Facility Land Sale' △Smooth progress of 'Bay Valley Mutual Development Project' between Chungcheongnam and Gyeonggi provinces △Promotion of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's carbon-neutral eco-friendly green hydrogen port △Controversy over solar panel installation at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port's hinterland reclaimed land dredged material disposal site.
An official from the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port Development Council, which organized the selection committee and led the announcement, stated, "In 2025, there were various issues and news related to Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port. We selected the top 10 news stories annually to review the year's Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port issues and raise awareness of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port among port officials nationwide, government authorities, and Pyeongtaek citizens."