PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Incheon
Pilot
updated May 2010- 동백 하선 구역 – 기상특보 시 Pilot boards37°20.4′N 126°25.5′E
When requesting a pilot the point of embarkation should be stated. Pilots are available day and night. The pilot boats are equipped with radar and VHF and capable of speeds of 10-12kts.
Key data
updated Oct 2023Size limits
Harbour: LOA 363m, draught 18m, beam 60m, 323,183DWT.
Offshore: Draught 11m, LOA 180m, 30,0000DWT.
Water density
1022 and 1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngheung Island Power Station | 18.00 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Hanjin Incheon Container Terminal (HJIT) | — | 300 m | 3 |
| North Port Dongbu Port | 13.80 m | 230 m | 3 |
| Sunkwang New Container Terminal (SNCT) | 13.70 m | 363 m | 3 |
| SK Inchon Oil Refinery Co. | 13.38 m | 340 m | 3 |
| North Port Dongbang | 13.20 m | 200 m | 3 |
| Inner Port Pier 7 | 13.00 m | 235 m | 4 |
| Incheon North Port Multipurpose Terminal (INMT) | 12.70 m | 200 m | 1 |
| North Port Daejoo | 12.70 m | 200 m | 3 |
| E1 Corporation | 12.60 m | 260 m | 1 |
| Inner Port Pier 5 | — | 265 m | 4 |
| Kogas LNG Terminal | 12.50 m | 350 m | 2 |
| International Container Terminal (ICT) | 12.10 m | 294 m | 3 |
| North Port INTC | 12.10 m | 200 m | 2 |
| Korean Air | 12.10 m | 350 m | 1 |
All 47 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon Port Cruise Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| North Port Dongkuk Steel | 11.80 m | 190 m | 1 |
| North Port Hyundai Steel | 11.80 m | 200 m | 2 |
| SK Energy Terminal | 11.30 m | 183 m | 2 |
| Inner Port Pier 4 | — | 235 m | 5 |
| North Port CJ Logistics | 11.00 m | 200 m | 2 |
| SICT (Sunkwang Incheon Container Terminal) | — | — | 1 |
| South Port Coal Terminal | — | 292 m | 1 |
| GS-Caltex Incheon Terminal | 11.00 m | 180 m | 2 |
| S-Oil | 10.50 m | 129 m | 2 |
| E1CT (E1 Container Terminal) | 10.10 m | 184 m | 1 |
| Inner Port Pier 6 | 9.70 m | 225 m | 6 |
| Incheon Coastal Passenger Terminal | — | 170 m | 4 |
| Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal | — | 200 m | 7 |
| Inner Port Pier 2 | — | 225 m | 8 |
| South Port Youngjin Enterprise Terminal | 9.00 m | 123 m | 1 |
| Inner Port Pier 8 | 8.50 m | 290 m | 4 |
| Kepco | 8.50 m | 175 m | 1 |
| South Port Halla Cement | 8.30 m | 123 m | 1 |
| Inner Port Pier 3 | — | 232 m | 8 |
| South Port Sampyo Cement | 8.10 m | 128 m | 1 |
| South Port Ssangyong Cement | 8.10 m | 123 m | 1 |
| SM Gyeongin Terminal | 7.70 m | 117 m | 1 |
| South Port CJ Korea Express | — | 106 m | 2 |
| South Port Hanil Daewoo Cement | 7.40 m | 123 m | 3 |
| South Port Hanil Tank Terminal | 6.50 m | 104 m | 1 |
| Inner Port Pier 1 | 6.40 m | 229 m | 11 |
| Coastal Port Ferry Terminal | — | — | 10 |
| Gimpo Container Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| New Port Stage 1-2A | — | — | 3 |
| South Port Sand Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Hyundai Oil Bank Dolphin | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Sep 2014Approach
Approach from SW and inbound vessels enter through the East Fairway (Dongsudo) marked by lightbuoys (special). A short fairway from SW for coastal passenger ships joins the main fairway just below the new bridge area. Outbound vessels should use the West Fairway (Seosudo).
The new Incheon Grand Bridge, located 1.8nm SW of the main entrance to Incheon Harbour, is reportedly South Korea's longest cabled-stayed bridge (21.38km), connecting Yeongjong Island to the mainland of Incheon. Vessels should pass under the middle area of the sea crossing section which has a vertical clearance of 74.0m. A serious of yellow Special Markers indicate the position of the bridge's support structures and a series of port and starboard markers (lit) indicate the main channel for transit.
Fairway I has generally depths greater than 10.0m. Fairway III leading to the LNG terminal berths have a least charted depth of 11.0m, silting may reduce charted depths. The entrance to the non-tidal basin has least depth of 5.0m. Coastal Passenger Ship Fairway has a least charted depth of 3.9m.
Port limits
The limits comprise the water area N of and enclosed by a line drawn from T'agubongdo (37°17.0'N 126°32.0'E), NNW for 4nm to P'almido (37°21.0'N 126°31.0'E), then 6.5nm N to the vicinity of 37°28.0'N 126°31.0'E.
Traffic schemes and VTS
A Traffic Separation Scheme and Vessel Traffic Scheme (VTS) is in operation (24 hours) for the inbound and outbound routes in the approach to Incheon. Participation in VTS is mandatory.
Anchorages
There are 2 anchorages in the waiting waters and 33 in the port that can accommodate vessels of 2,000t to 100,000t, in depths of 4.4-14.0m. The anchorage is secure with good holding ground. If strong S wind raises a sea it can be difficult to work cargo.
Quarantine anchorage: In position 37°22'N 126°34'E, 2.25nm NE of P'almido.
There are also 12 anchorages to the West of the Fairways (W-1 to W-5 and W-9 to W-15) and six anchorages to the East of the Fairways (E-1 to E-6), with five anchorages for smaller vessels (2,000GT to 4,000GT) (A-3 to A-9). There is also an anchorage off Youngheung Thermal Power Station. All of these are indicated on the chart and can be found on website://www.portincheon.go.kr/english/MarineSafety/Anchorage.
Restrictions
Submarine pipelines: A submarine gas pipeline is laid from Soraep'ogu (37°21.0'N 126°35.0'E) to 37°26.0'N 126°29.0'E. The pipeline is marked by special pillar lightbuoys (yellow markers).
A submarine gas pipeline is laid ENE from Hojong Terminal (37°29.0'N 126°36.0'E), to the shore.
A submarine oil pipeline is laid between a storage barge connected to the shore SSE by a pipeline.
A set of submarine pipelines (oil, gas and water), are laid from 37°30.0'N 126°37.0'E to 37°29.0'N 126°35.0'E.
Tugs
There are 17 tugs of 1,300-4,200hp available and 24 tugs of 800-22,550hp, for towing lighters.
Charts and publications
BA 1270, 1271, 3642. Admiralty Pilot NP32, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent through the agent 48 and 24 hours in advance.
Health
Pratique is granted to vessels in the specified quarantine anchorage located in the Palmi-do area. Radio pratique is available with reference to article 22 of the Quarantine Act. Attention is drawn to the radio pratique regulation specified under the radio pratique on "General Information on all Korean Ports".
Quarantine inspection and clearance arrangement may be made for any time in special cases on application during normal office hours.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate issued.
Customs and immigration
Normal working hours are: Week days, 0900-1800hrs; Saturday, 0900-1300hrs.
Clearance for vessels by both services, for arrival and departure may be affected out of the normal working hours. Officials board the vessel at harbour anchorage.
Notices and regulations
Traffic Regulations: Mariners are advised to assume Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) apply.
The inbound and outbound routes of the Traffic Separation Schemes lie within a designated area which extends from the bad weather pilot boarding ground to P'almido (37°21.0'N 126°31.0'E), on the inbound route, and from P'almido to a position 3.25nm SW of Tongbaekto (37°12.0'N 126°13.0'E), on the outbound route. Vessels carrying dangerous cargo, tugs whose length including tow exceeds 200m, and deep draught vessels are requested to inform the District Maritime and Port Authority of Incheon of their name, tonnage and ETA at the Designated Area boundary 12 hours before entering the area.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
Port services
updated Oct 2023Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Most grades of domestic and bonded oil are available with 24 hours prior notice. LNG bunkering is available.
Stores: Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Incheon International Airport (13km), Gimpo International Airport (20km).
Rail links: The port has rail links to Korail national rail network.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1700hrs and 1900-0500hrs.
About Incheon
updated Nov 2025Where it is
Incheon is situated at the mouth of the River Han with wet dock facilities to overcome the extremely high tidal range in the area.
The port
The port consists of outer harbours and a tidal basin (Inner Harbour); the outer harbours consist of the South Port and North Port. There are also a number of anchorage and dolphin berths. The North Port will handle most of the dangerous and polluting cargoes when the basin is completed. The port handles passengers, general cargo, dry bulk cargo, petroleum products, LNG, LPG and containers.
The Yonghung Power Station is located on the SW side of Yonghung Island, on the S side of the Incheon approach.
Traffic
Approx 150,000,00t of cargo, 3,560,000TEU, 14,000 vessels and zero passengers (due to pandemic) handled annually.
Questions about Incheon
Where does the pilot board at Incheon?
The pilot boards at 동백 하선 구역 – 기상특보 시, 37°20.4′N 126°25.5′E.
What time zone is Incheon in?
Local time at Incheon is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Incheon?
The deepest berth listed is at Youngheung Island Power Station: 18.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Incheon?
1022 and 1025.
Which load line zone is Incheon in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Incheon?
Port State Control at Incheon: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Incheon?
The UN/LOCODE of Incheon is KRINC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Incheon say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.