Port of Gothenburg Provides Direct Route to Busan
South Korea is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Now for the first time Swedish importers and exporters are getting a direct route to Busan in the eastern part of the country. Shipping company Maersk Line has added the South Korean city of Busan to one of its routes from the Port of Gothenburg. This means that cargo can be shipped there directly, without transhipment in Europe.
“This is really good news. We know this region is important to many companies in Sweden and the Nordic region, for example for the export of steel,” says Magnus Kårestedt, CEO Gothenburg Port Authority.
South Korea is experiencing considerable industrial growth. Renowned export brands include Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia. The country is also a major manufacturer of tyres, which are exported to Sweden and elsewhere. For Swedish companies, South Korea is also an important market for items such as forestry products, steel and car parts.
Busan, in the south-eastern part of the country, has a favourable geographical location both for reaching important industrial regions in South Korea and for onward transport to Japan and Russia. It serves as a complement to the city of Kwangyang in the west of the country, which is already served by Maersk Line via a direct route from the Port of Gothenburg.
“New destinations in our product portfolio strengthen our position on the market,” says Magnus Kårestedt.
The transport time from Sweden to Busan is 40 days, and the route offers weekly departures from the container terminal in the Port of Gothenburg – APM Terminals Gothenburg.
Tthe entire route is: Gdansk (Poland) – Århus (Denmark) – Gothenburg (Sweden) – Bremerhaven (Germany) – Rotterdam (the Netherlands) – Tangiers (Morocco) – Singapore – Yantian (China) – Hong Kong – Busan (South Korea) – Kwangyang (South Korea) – Ningbo (China) – Shanghai (China) – Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia).