Kyung-In Canal, development of Inland Water Transport in Korea

摘要

Transport volumes to and from the Seoul metropolitan area are increasing steadily. The present road and rail infrastructure is facing a growing number of problems, including congestion, air pollution and road safety. The Kyung-In Canal, planned to connect Seoul with Incheon seaport, will increase the area's transport capacity. At present, most cargo for the South Korean capital is transported by road from the large maritime ports in the south of the country, or from the port of Incheon to the west. Congestion and air pollution are the inevitable results. Moreover, the Seoul metropolitan area also has an excess water problem. A solution addressing both transport and drainage issues emerged in the 1980s, when plans were announced to build a drainage canal connecting the area south of Seoul to Incheon along the West Sea. Extending the canal to the River Han/Seoul would create additional cargo transport capacity by inland navigation.