In the southeastern corner of South Korea's Ulsan Bay, a modern port stands proud with its robust industrial capacity and deep-water hub functionality. Ulsan Port, coded as KRUSN, serves as the nation's largest heavy chemical industrial base, quietly shaping the country's marine economic landscape. This facility operates not only as a distribution center for natural resources but also as an indispensable node in international maritime logistics chains.
Port Overview
Ulsan Port is strategically located within Ulsan Bay, facing the East Sea to the east and positioned south of Seoul. The facility lies approximately 40 nautical miles from Busan Port, ensuring excellent navigational access. The port experiences predominantly northerly winds, with occasional summer fog, while tidal variations remain minimal with a maximum tide height of just 0.5 meters. The approach channel maintains a minimum depth of 11.3 meters, accommodating large vessels with ease. Since the late 1980s, Ulsan Port has consistently handled over 30 million tons of cargo annually, securing its vital position in South Korea's maritime transportation network.
Port Facilities and Operations
The port primarily serves heavy industries, particularly shipbuilding and oil refining. Its main terminals are concentrated along the western shore of the bay, with dry bulk terminals located in the northern section featuring six berths totaling 1,550 meters in length. These facilities, with water depths ranging from 7.5 to 12 meters, efficiently handle commodities including coal, automobiles, and fertilizers.
The oil refinery terminals occupy the southern portion of the western shore, comprising three offshore berths capable of accommodating supertankers with maximum deadweight tonnage of 250,000 tons, ensuring efficient transportation of petroleum products. Ulsan Port maintains direct connectivity with Ulsan Shipyard, South Korea's largest shipbuilding facility spanning 720 hectares with an annual production capacity reaching 2 million gross tons. This massive complex can construct ultra-large vessels exceeding 1 million deadweight tons.
Economic Significance
As South Korea's economic lifeline, Ulsan Port functions both as a critical resource distribution center and a national symbol of heavy industry. Its modern infrastructure and extensive maritime expertise continue to enhance the country's competitiveness in global markets. Whether in maritime trade, heavy industrial development, or international shipping hub construction, Ulsan Port consistently demonstrates unparalleled appeal, attracting worldwide attention and investment.
