Mokpo City is accelerating its efforts to establish a future growth foundation for marine logistics and the offshore wind industry in the southwestern region by incorporating key proposed projects into the government's national port development plan.
On July 31, Mokpo City announced that many of its core projects, which it has continuously proposed, have been included in the 'Fourth National Port Basic Plan Revision (2026-2030)' recently confirmed and announced by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
The basic port plan is a top-level statutory plan that outlines the long-term development direction and investment plans for national ports, serving as a critical standard for determining future national budgets and port development directions.
Mokpo City has consistently advocated for the necessity of major projects, including the expansion of the offshore wind industry base, enhancement of port functions, and development of hinterland, in close cooperation with the Mokpo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office. The inclusion of these projects in the revised plan provides a driving force to strengthen the future competitiveness of Mokpo Port.
The plan includes the construction of a 30,000 DWT steel wharf (79.7 billion won) and a 30,000 DWT multipurpose wharf (79.7 billion won) to enhance support for the offshore wind industry.
Additionally, the plan incorporates the construction of a 1,200-meter embankment for the second dredged soil disposal site (45.7 billion won) and a 60-meter expansion of the car terminal (19.9 billion won) for the third phase of the Mokpo New Port hinterland development.
Strengthening Function as an Offshore Wind Center
With the inclusion of this plan, Mokpo City aims to develop Mokpo New Port into a key hub for the domestic offshore wind industry.
In particular, the inclusion of the ongoing Sewol ferry hull treatment project (tentatively named the National Sewol Ferry Life Memorial Hall) in the national plan is expected to further expand the offshore wind support functions if the hull relocation is pursued.
With the addition of new steel and multipurpose wharves to the existing two offshore wind support berths, the foundation supporting the entire process of the offshore wind industry, including equipment manufacturing, assembly, transportation, installation, and operation and maintenance (O&M), is expected to be significantly strengthened.
Mokpo City views this as a strategic infrastructure that enhances the national offshore wind supply chain competitiveness, going beyond mere port facility expansion.
Expanding Passenger Functions and Promoting Urban Port Regeneration
The construction of a 30,000-ton passenger terminal in Mokpo Port's inner harbor, aimed for completion by the end of this year, is also progressing smoothly.
Once the passenger terminal is completed, it is expected to improve the docking capacity for large passenger ships and respond more reliably to the increasing demand for marine passenger transport.
Additionally, small-scale port regeneration projects utilizing aging port spaces will be pursued.
The city plans to create a complex marine cultural space that integrates tourism, culture, and commerce while maintaining the port's original functions, thereby establishing a new urban regeneration model where the port and city coexist.
Fostering an Eco-Friendly Marine Industry Centered Port
Mokpo City will strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies, including the government, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, and the Mokpo Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, to ensure that the projects reflected in the national plan are implemented without delay. The city also plans to continuously advocate for the inclusion of new projects necessary for regional development in the national plan.
This strategy aims to expand the eco-friendly port infrastructure and develop into a future-oriented port city where the marine industry, logistics, and tourism grow together.
Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi stated, "The inclusion of this port basic plan revision marks a significant turning point in securing new growth engines for Mokpo Port. We will implement the projects reflected in the national plan without delay to develop Mokpo Port into a representative marine hub port in the southwestern region, harmonizing logistics, industry, and tourism, as well as an East Asian maritime hub."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Fourth National Port Basic Plan Revision outlines the development direction and investment plans for major ports nationwide from 2026 to 2030, serving as a key policy standard for future port infrastructure expansion and regional balanced development.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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