Incheon port opens direct route to China's Rizhao, expanding maritime logistics network

A new container shipping service directly linking Incheon port with Rizhao port — a key hub in southern Shandong province, China — has launched, the Incheon Port Authority announced Wednesday.

The route is expected to significantly strengthen maritime logistics between the Greater Seoul area and Shandong province, giving Incheon port a boost in attracting cargo bound for China.

The Incheon Port Authority said it attended the inaugural ceremony for the new Rizhao-Incheon container service, held in Rizhao, Shandong province, where officials from both countries discussed port logistics cooperation.

The ceremony was co-hosted by the Rizhao municipal government and Shandong Port Group. Attendees included Incheon Port Authority Executive Vice President of Operations Jeong Sang-gu, South Korea's Consul General in Qingdao Liu Changshu, and Rizhao Municipal Party Committee Secretary Li Zaiwu.

The new service, branded RIX (Rizhao Incheon Express) and operated by Shandong Marine Carrier Group (SMC), will run twice a week, connecting Incheon New Port's SNCT (Seonkwang New Container Terminal) with Rizhao port on a direct route.

Rizhao is China's sixth-largest port by cargo volume, having handled 580 million tons of freight last year, backed by port-adjacent industrial infrastructure in steel, petrochemicals and paper manufacturing.

The Incheon Port Authority said the new direct network between the Greater Seoul area and southern Shandong is expected to deliver tangible benefits for businesses, including shorter transit times and lower logistics costs.

The authority projects the route will bring approximately 120,000 TEUs of new container cargo annually to Incheon port.

With Rizhao added to existing connections to Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and Shidao, Incheon port's maritime network across the Shandong region has grown more robust.

Last year, trade between Incheon port and major Shandong ports totaled about 780,000 TEUs — accounting for 35 percent of Incheon port's total cargo volume with China, which stood at roughly 2.2 million TEUs, making it a critical market.

"The RIX route will serve as a key maritime corridor connecting Incheon port, the maritime gateway to the Greater Seoul area, with Rizhao, the key hub of southern Shandong," Jeong said.