WASHINGTON: In order to handle the increased volume of traffic and customer demands more effectively, IPA has adopted a 24-hour nonstop operation service system. Beginning on July 1, Incheon port will begin 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) service. As a result, shippers, ship owners and transport companies, can carry in and out, transport, load and offload cargo at any time. Incheon Port Authority (www.icpa.or.kr) announced that it will kick out the long-desired 24/7 service in earnest on July 1.
According to IPA, a total of 37 companies including 4 loading companies, 13 transport companies, 15 warehouse owners and 5 service companies are the first to enjoy 24/7 service at Incheon Port starting on July 1. As a result, vessels docking and leaving Incheon port and logistics companies dealing with freight at the main Terminal of Container will enjoy 24 hour service without any interruption.
The 24/7 service will allow customers such as shippers, ship owners and transport companies access to Incheon port without regard to time. Import and export companies can access services either at night or in the early morning and transport cargo to any desired location.
The idea of 24/7 port operations was brought up to Yoo Changg-keun by Shipowner’s association, Warehousing association, and Trucking association shortly after Yoo took office in 2014. Their persistent backing of 24/7 operation led Yoo to seriously review a 24-hour management plan and devise a blueprint to put such a plan into practice. During the initial period, IPA made a list of companies that can operate 24/7, and then recruited 37 companies to take part in non-stop service operations beginning in July.
In particular, since the opening in June last year, New Incheon Port saw new routes opened one after another including ones bound for the U.S. and the Middle East. It also saw an 8.8 percent increase in the number of ships docking, up from 7,550 in 2014 to 8,211 in 2015. IPA said in order to provide smooth 24/7 service, it will continue to recruit companies that desire to take part.
Kim Jong-gil, director of the logistics promotion team of IPA, said, “The non-stop operation service at Incheon port will save port users time and cost and enhance the competitiveness of Incheon port itself,” adding, “IPA will continue to seek ways to improve services and regulations to support port users’ business.”
