West Sea Weather Deteriorates... Passenger Ship Operations Disrupted on 2 Out of 15 Incheon-Island Routes (Comprehensive)

Passengers returning to Incheon islands [Yonhap News File Photo]

Due to adverse weather conditions, passenger ship operations were disrupted on 2 out of the 15 routes connecting Incheon and its islands on the first day of the Chuseok holiday, the 3rd.

According to the Incheon Operations Management Center of the Korea Maritime Safety Inspection Agency, strong winds of 8-12 m/s are blowing off the coast of Incheon as of 2 PM today.

Consequently, the Naraeho ferry on the Incheon-Deokjeokdo-Uldo route operated on a shortened schedule, and afternoon passenger ship services on the Incheon-Pungdo-Yukdo routes were suspended.

Passenger ships on the remaining 13 routes, including Incheon-Baengnyeongdo, totaling 17 vessels, are operating normally.

The Incheon Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Administration had projected that approximately 9,000 passengers would travel by ferry between Incheon and the islands on this day alone. However, with the suspension of some services, the actual number of passengers is expected to be lower.

Furthermore, it is projected that 13,500 passengers will travel on the 4th, 11,000 on the 5th, and 10,000 on the 6th, with a total of 85,400 passengers expected to use Incheon ferries over the 11-day period (October 2nd - October 12th).

The Incheon Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Administration is increasing the number of coastal ferry services from the usual 662 trips to 828 trips, an increase of 166, during the Chuseok holiday period.

An official from the Incheon Port Operations Management Center stated, "The shipping companies determined that operations were difficult due to strong winds," adding, "Services on the remaining routes are operating normally." Yonhap News