The port of Inchon is preparing to jump up with a new vision in time for launching of cruise service on Inchon-Tianjin(China) route in next May.

Although being a gateway port to the metropolitan area, the development in Inchon has been stalled compared to that of the port of Busan. In an interview with 'Shippers' Journal', Mr. Kim Choon-sun, a CEO of Inchon Port Authority(IPA) said a number of projects are being lined up.

"The burning question is to improve container handling throughput. We are trying to accomplish 2 million TEUs annually and to do that, it is also very important to reinforce capabilities of the staff. Now a separate team has been organized and under training." said Mr. Kim.

Currently China accounts for 60% of container traffic in Inchon, which indicates that Inchon depends much on China's economic conditions.

One of Inchon's ambitious blueprints is an int'l cruise terminal enabling 140 thousand ton class cruise ship to enter. It is now under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2016.

"Total 560 billion-won has been allocated for the budget, however, 420 billion needs to be further secured." he said. Considering the geographical condition, Inchon's so-called 'West' strategy towards China and South East Asia must be significant. The bigger Chinese middle class gets, the more cruise passengers will come to Inchon. There is much analysis of sharp increase in demand for cruise tour in China.

Mr. Kim says IPA aims to attract 1.15 million passengers, which requires annually more than 150 callings of cruise vessels to the port of Inchon. It takes Marina facilities as well to fulfill that goal. The cruise industry has a great effect on the regional economy. Even one day calling of cruise ship earns dollars in places.

His future development plans seem to step forward to the right direction. It would be better to focus on the reinforcement of service competency as a future strategy than container logistics that might have reached the limit in terms of port use.