44 projects across 8 ports — including hydrogen berth — included in Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' 4th Port Master Plan revision
South Chungcheong Province has secured inclusion of more than 3 trillion won ($1.94 billion) in port development projects in the nation's top statutory maritime policy plan, positioning its ports as a future growth engine for the Yellow Sea region.
The province announced Wednesday that 44 projects across eight of its ports, totaling 3.12 trillion won in project costs, have been incorporated into the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Fourth Port Master Plan Revision (2026–2030).
The plan covers both nationally managed trade ports and locally managed coastal ports. The province said the inclusion marks a significant step toward establishing South Chungcheong's west coast as a key hub for future energy and logistics industries.
By port, the breakdown of included projects is as follows: Dangjin Port with nine projects worth 1.84 trillion won; Daesan Port with 14 projects worth 796.5 billion won; Janghang Port with two projects worth 22 billion won; Boryeong Port with three projects; Taean Port with one project worth 178.9 billion won; Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo Port with one project worth 47.8 billion won; Daecheon Port with seven projects worth 132 billion won; and Maryangji Port with seven projects worth 99.2 billion won.
Dangjin Port, the largest recipient, will see the development of a hydrogen (ammonia) berth, a grain berth and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production base port facilities, laying the groundwork for it to grow into a leading multipurpose port on the west coast with combined energy and logistics functions.
The province expects Dangjin to play a key role in building a clean energy supply chain and advancing the national carbon neutrality policy.
At Daesan Port, the berthing capacity of Pier 5 will be upgraded from 2,000 TEU (one TEU equals one 20-foot container) to 4,000 TEU, and additional land will be secured for port facility use, strengthening container logistics competitiveness and laying the foundation for future port expansion.
Janghang Port will gain 18,000 square meters of port facility land, enabling the expansion of fisheries support facilities and fishing gear repair facilities. The province projects a significant improvement in convenience for local fishers and residents.
Taean Port will receive a newly added offshore wind operations and maintenance berth at a total project cost of 178.9 billion won. The facility is expected to serve as a central base for operating and maintaining the west coast offshore wind industry, supporting South Chungcheong's push to develop eco-friendly energy industries.
The port facility development project on North Gyeongnyeolbiyeoldo — on the front line of the central Yellow Sea maritime territory — will create a multipurpose berth, berthing facilities and a helipad. It is expected to contribute significantly to protecting maritime territory and strengthening national security.
Design and implementation planning services are currently underway, with construction set to break ground in 2027 and be completed by 2030.
Daecheon Port and Maryangji Port will also benefit from a large number of disaster recovery and perimeter facility repair projects aimed at building climate-resilient ports capable of responding to rapidly changing weather conditions.
Lee Dong-yu, director of the province's maritime and fisheries bureau, called the outcome "an important turning point for South Chungcheong to leap forward as the center of the Yellow Sea rim, leading the future energy industry and maritime logistics." He added that the province would "do its utmost to secure national funding and complete follow-up administrative procedures so that the projects included in the national plan can be advanced at the earliest possible time."
Lee also said the province would "proactively pursue feasibility assessments and develop the rationale for key port development projects so they can be reflected in the Fifth Port Master Plan (2031–2040)."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
