Increased Demand for Tourist Routes in Favorable Weather…Achieved Safe Transport Without Accidents, [Seoul=Newsis] Passengers are disembarking from the ‘Gajasomro’ service operating on the Daecheon-Janggo route.,
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Park Sung-hwan reports: Over the Lunar New Year holiday, the average daily number of coastal ferry passengers exceeded 40,000. This marks a 29.9% increase compared to the previous year’s 190,386 passengers. The extended six-day holiday and favorable weather conditions led to increased demand for maritime travel on tourist routes.
According to the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA), the total ridership over this holiday period was 247,267, a 29.9% increase from the previous year and an 18.5% increase compared to the five-year average of 208,664.
During the same period, vehicle transport reached 61,690 units, up 24.6% from last year’s 49,504. The busiest day for coastal ferry usage was the New Year’s Day, February 17, with 51,320 passengers.
An official from KOMSA stated, “Considering last year’s stable usage situation, this holiday has shown a renewed increase in coastal ferry use,” adding that the demand for ferry services on tourist routes continued to grow due to the extended holiday and favorable weather.
Among the 100 nationwide routes operated by coastal ferries, the most popular was the route from Mokpo, Wando, and Yeosu to Jeju, with 48,000 users during the holiday.
The route with the highest growth in passengers was to Ulleungdo, where 8,342 passengers traveled from Pohang, marking a 116.7% increase from last year.
Jeju Island and Ulleungdo, alongside Marado, were notable for high passenger numbers. 13,287 passengers traveled to Marado from Sanyeosudong and Moseulpo, while the route from Mokpo to Hongdo recorded 3,067 passengers.
Routes with high passenger numbers also saw increased vehicle transport, with Jeju’s routes transporting 61,690 vehicles, a 24.6% increase from the previous year. Ulleungdo’s vehicle transport also increased by 52.0% to 661 units.
The increased usage of coastal ferries is attributed to efforts by authorities and ferry operators to provide safe and convenient travel conditions. KOMSA operated a special transport task force and monitored ferry operations 24/7 to enhance safety, offering free battery diagnostics for electric vehicles to prevent onboard fires.
During the holiday, there were no passenger casualties or common incidents such as entanglements or engine damage, according to KOMSA.
KOMSA’s ‘Passenger Ship Operation Information’ on the Naver Band provides AI-based forecasts of ferry operability up to three days in advance and congestion statuses at major coastal ferry terminals for user convenience.
Kakao chatbot service ‘Haesuhobot’ and the Maritime Traffic Safety Information System (MTIS) also provide ferry schedule forecasts and traffic information.
KOMSA Director Kim Jun-seok commented, “Thanks to thorough preparation and a safety-first mindset on the ground, we completed the special transport safely during the New Year’s holiday,” and pledged continued efforts to enhance safety management and user convenience using digital technology.