South Korea Selects 14 Coastal Passenger Ferry Routes for 2026 Support Program
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) has chosen 14 coastal passenger ferry routes for its 2026 route stabilization support program. Launched in 2018, the program aims to guarantee transportation rights for island residents by ensuring same‑day round trips to the mainland and subsidizing operating losses that threaten route continuity. “One‑day living zone” routes (supporting same‑day island–mainland travel via added sailings) receive 50% of deficits from the national government and 50% from local governments; chronically deficit routes (losses for two consecutive years) can receive up to 70% national support within budget limits. Out of 15 applicants, a selection committee picked four one‑day living routes — Baengnyeong–Incheon, Jangbong–Sammok, Yeosu–Geomun, Gageo–Mokpo — and ten deficit routes including several serving Yeosu and Tongyeong. MOF officials said the aid will help prevent route suspensions that harm island residents’ livelihoods and that further reforms to subsidy mechanisms are being explored. (Baengnyeong, Jangbong, Geomun, Gageo are island names.)
