Ferry route to Chuja Island saved from shutdown as government covers up to 70% of operating losses

The government will cover up to 70% of operating losses on the Jeju–Chuja–Wando passenger ferry route, which had been at risk of suspension due to mounting deficits. The measure aims to preserve transport links for Chuja Island residents and ensure a stable supply of vehicles and daily necessities.

South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Friday that it had added the Jeju–Chuja–Wando route to the list of routes eligible for its second-half 2026 coastal passenger route stabilization support program.

The route has been served by Songlim Haewoon's vessel Songlim Blue Ocean since May 2024, carrying passengers, vehicles and daily necessities between Jeju, Chuja Island and Wando. The service has posted operating losses every year since its launch, recording deficits for two consecutive years.

The route plays a particularly important role in supplying essential goods to Chuja Island residents. While the Santa Monica, another passenger vessel calling at Chuja Island, can only carry vehicles weighing up to one ton, the Songlim Blue Ocean can transport vehicles of up to 25 tons.

Concerns had been raised that suspending the Songlim Blue Ocean's service would disrupt not only residents' travel but also the delivery of essential goods that depend on heavy vehicles.

In response, the ministry designated the Jeju–Chuja–Wando route as a support recipient and plans to cover up to 70% of its operating deficit within the available budget.

The coastal passenger route stabilization support program was launched in 2018 to help island residents make same-day round trips to the mainland and to prevent loss-making routes from shutting down. Under the program, the government subsidizes a portion of the operating deficits incurred by private ferry operators.

The government currently supports three routes designed to enable one-day connectivity for island residents and 10 loss-making routes. The latest addition followed an application period from Aug. 18 to Aug. 28, after which a route selection committee composed of academics, research institute representatives and field experts reviewed the submissions.

"No matter where people live in this country, they should be able to travel easily to where they need to go and receive the supplies they need for daily life," said Kim Hye-jeong, director general of the ministry's maritime and logistics bureau. "We will firmly support the transport rights and daily lives of island residents by subsidizing loss-making routes to keep the sea lanes connecting islands to the mainland running stably."