Port of Gwangyang expects difficulties promoting port

The Port of Gwangyang has pointed out that it cannot be expected to promote the port because of lacking of hinter facilities as an international port.
According to some insiders from ports in China such as Shanghai, Qingdao, there is no other international port lacking support facilities like Gwangyang.
The indication came from a promotional trip against major port cities and shipping companies when representatives of Gwangyang City visited China on March 11 for the economic free zone designation of Gwangyang Port at the second half of this year.
Some people from ports in China and Korean shipping companies in China said, "A port needs various facilities for convenience besides just low landing fees, a good location, and yet Gwangyang Port has no support facilities except a container wharf. There is no such poorly equipped port anywhere in the world"
They added, "the government's plan that the facilities will be finished by 2008, is too little too late compared with the rapidly changing world of shipping and logistics; growth for Gwangyang is impossible if the plan isn't significantly advanced."
To this, failure is being widely predicted for the government's plan to promote Inchon, Pusan and Gwangyang as a major international hub in Asia.
One insider from a domestic shipping company pointed out, "Whose mistake is it that Gwangyang Port is a 'two port system' with no support facilities? The government."
He further added, "It is well known in the business world that people complain about Gwangyang Port having no suitable hotel or other decent facilities."
The mayor of Gwangyang City, Lee Sung-Woong said, "It's a shame that even China, who started economic development later than Korea, provides all the necessary hinter facilities before their ports open."