Reading Ulsan Port’s journey since its 1963 opening in a 360 m² lounge

In July 2026, the ‘Ulsan Port Public Relations Center’ became a 360㎡ business lounge

The Ulsan Port Public Relations Center was a space on the first floor of the Ulsan Port Authority headquarters that introduced the basics of shipping and ports, as well as the history and development of Ulsan Port. However, on July 22, 2026, the former public relations center reopened as a multifunctional business lounge of approximately 360㎡, while retaining its exhibition function explaining the history, functions, and major cargo handled by Ulsan Port.

The current space includes two meeting rooms, along with areas for reading and relaxation, and is available not only to shipping companies, cargo owners, and port agencies but also to the general public. Therefore, rather than expecting only a traditional “exhibition hall visit,” it is more appropriate to plan it as a place where visitors can understand the port’s structure through the exhibits while also using the rest and business facilities.

From Yeompo in 1426 to the opening of Ulsan Port in 1963: a chronology of the industrial city’s maritime side

The roots of Ulsan Port date back to the early Joseon period. The Ulsan Port Authority’s history records that in 1426, Yeompo opened as one of the Three Ports, alongside Busanpo and Naeipo, for trade with Japan. It also explains that during the Three Kingdoms period, the site served as an international trading port of Silla.

Modern Ulsan Port opened in September 25, 1963, and construction of Pier 1 began in July 1964. Onsan Port was incorporated in 1973, followed by Mipo Port in 1976, and development of New Ulsan Port began in May 1997. The exhibition space focuses on understanding how the port changed from a trading port during the Joseon period into a port supporting heavy chemical industry and energy logistics.

22,427 m of quay length and berthing capacity for 123 vessels: Ulsan Port in numbers

The facilities of Ulsan Port as a whole are recorded as having a total quay length of 22,427 m, berthing capacity for 123 vessels and 4,785,500 DWT, and anchorage areas covering 42.51㎢. Annual cargo-handling capacity is 77,982 thousand tons and 1,187 thousand TEU; the port water area is 114㎢, the coastline is 58 km long, and the tidal range is 60.8 cm. Viewed alongside the exhibits, these figures make it possible to understand specifically that Ulsan Port is not a tourism-oriented harbor but an operating site handling large-scale industrial logistics.

The port consists of Ulsan Main Port, Onsan Port, Mipo Port, and New Ulsan Port. According to published figures, Ulsan Main Port has a quay length of 10,085 m, capacity for 60 vessels, and annual cargo-handling capacity of 32,276 thousand tons; Onsan Port has 5,073 m, 33 vessels, and 18,270 thousand tons; Mipo Port has 210 m, 1 vessel, and 990 thousand tons; and New Ulsan Port has 7,059 m, 29 vessels, and 26,446 thousand tons.

Viewing the 2009 container terminal at New Ulsan Port alongside the 2024 commercial operation of North Port

Recent expansion of Ulsan Port can be seen at New Ulsan Port. The New Ulsan Port container terminal began operations in July 2009, and nine berths in Phases 1–2 of New Ulsan Port were completed in September 2012. Two northern berths and Section 3 of the hinterland complex were completed in February 2017, followed by the opening of Yongyeon Pier and the port hinterland complex in April of the same year.

Its energy logistics functions also continued to expand. Construction of the North Port project, Phase 1 of the Energy Hub, began in July 2020, and construction of the North New Port liquid cargo pier was completed in April 2024. Then, in November 2024, Phase 1 of the Ulsan Energy Hub North Port project was completed and began commercial operations. After viewing the exhibits, understanding will deepen by focusing not on “harbor scenery” but on how crude oil, petroleum products, chemical logistics, and port hinterland complexes support Ulsan’s industrial landscape.

Take bus 716 from Taehwagang Station, or transfer to buses 5001 and 256 from Ulsan Station

Despite the place name, the address is not 1310 Bangeojinsunhwan-ro, Dong-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City, but 271 Jangsaengpogorae-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City, based on the Ulsan Port Authority headquarters. Both online information and recent reports on the lounge opening identify the first floor of the headquarters as the current location, so it is more accurate to set the navigation destination as “Ulsan Port Authority” or “271 Jangsaengpogorae-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City.”

At Taehwagang Station, take bus 716 from Stop 1 and get off at the “Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries/Ulsan Port Authority” stop; according to the official information, the trip takes approximately 15 minutes. From Ulsan Station, take bus 5001 to City Hall, transfer to bus 256, and get off at the same stop; the trip takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. From Ulsan Airport, the listed route is to take bus 482 or 712 to Taehwagang Station and transfer to bus 716, taking approximately 1 hour.

• Main telephone: 052-228-5300
• Online public relations center content inquiries: 052-228-5350
• Official website: https://www.upa.or.kr/portal/contents.do?mid=0506000000

09:00–18:00 information is based on older guidance; for a 2026 visit, confirm by phone first

The opening hours listed for the former public relations center in the Ulsan Port comprehensive guide were weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00, with weekends and public holidays listed as closed. At that time, the inquiry telephone number was 052-228-5351, admission was free, and tour programs including the public relations center and the observation deck on the 12th floor had been operated for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, excluding travel time.

However, after the former public relations center was reorganized as a business lounge in July 2026, separate visiting hours, closing days, admission fees, and whether the observation deck is open have not been clearly confirmed on the official page. Rather than relying only on the weekday 09:00–18:00 information, first contact the main telephone number, 052-228-5300, to ask about same-day access hours, the extent of exhibition access, parking, and use of the 12th-floor observation deck. Since no detailed public information is available about wheelchair and stroller routes or foreign-language guidance, confirmation by phone is also necessary.

Combine the 12th-floor observation deck with Jangsaengpo, but ask in advance about port tours

Previous information about the Ulsan Port Public Relations Center stated that visitors could view the panorama of Ulsan Port and the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Tourist Zone from the observation deck on the 12th floor of the headquarters. Since the headquarters is located at 271 Jangsaengpogorae-ro, it is convenient to combine a lounge visit and the observation deck with an itinerary around Jangsaengpo if both are available on the day. However, the current general-public access status of the observation deck has not been confirmed in the latest official notices.

The Ulsan Port Authority has operated port tour programs for the general public and students, and past group programs involved adding a landside port tour after visiting the public relations center and observation deck. Since the port contains many security and safety zones, it is best not to expect an itinerary involving individual entry into the piers. Ask the authority before visiting about the availability of group tours, participant limits, and reservation procedures.

• Recommended stay: approximately 30–60 minutes for the lounge exhibition alone; at least 1 hour if the observation deck and tour are available
• Parking: fees and available spaces could not be confirmed in the latest official information; inquiries are recommended before arriving by car
• Suitable visitors: travelers and student groups interested in the background of the port, shipbuilding, and petrochemical industries