Incheon
UN/LOCODE KRINC · South Korea · IMO-designated crew-change hub
Why this port is a crew-change hub
Incheon is one of 115 ports named in IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1636 as a designated crew-change hub. Ports made the list on the basis of accessible international airports, established agent networks, welfare-centre infrastructure, and — during the pandemic — visa-facilitation frameworks that allowed sign-on and sign-off crew to transit without lengthy quarantine. That combination continues to make these ports the practical corridors most seafarers move through today.
Airport and transit
Nearest major airport for crew changes is Incheon International Airport (ICN), roughly 15 km from the port. Confirm the exact terminal handover point with the ship's agent — many hubs have multiple terminals with different immigration processes.
Shore leave and practical briefing
Incheon, Korea's gateway port near Seoul, handles container and bulk traffic plus the international cruise terminal. Shore leave follows the same Korean procedure as Busan. Welfare provision via Korea Seamen's Welfare and Mission to Seafarers Incheon. Incheon is more convenient for crew who want to visit Seoul — Incheon airport (the international hub for South Korea) is on the same metropolitan area.