The Incheon Marina Association has proposed the development of an urban marina cluster in Songdo International City, outlining plans to expand marina capacity and support marine services within a city-based waterfront setting in Incheon, South Korea.
The proposal was presented during the 1st K-Urban Marina Cluster Forum, held on 28 January 2026 at the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority.
At its launch in December 2025, the association stated that many marinas in South Korea are located away from city centres and daily activity corridors, a concern reflected in its proposal for Songdo.
Discussions at the forum highlighted the gap between marina capacity and population demand. Figures shared during the event showed that major international cities average around 870 people per berth, while South Korea has approximately 37,000 people per berth, pointing to limited national provision, according to a report by An Jae-kyun of Seoul Economic Daily.
Data from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Marina Information System shows that Incheon currently has one operating marina, Wangsan Marina. The facility can accommodate 300 vessels, including 266 wet berths and 34 dry berths.
At Wangsan Marina, vessels that require repair often need to be transported by land, which adds to costs. Seasonal use remains another challenge. Many marinas operate mainly between May and November, and activity is concentrated on weekends.
To address these conditions, the proposed cluster places maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities alongside leisure boating infrastructure.
According to a report by Lee Byeong-gi of Kyeonggi Daily, participants discussed developing an urban marina in Songdo and raised the possibility of a large-scale facility with a capacity of around 2,000 berths.
The forum was attended by around 200 representatives from the maritime and tourism sectors and was hosted by the Incheon Marina Association with support from local and regional bodies. The association plans to prepare a policy submission based on the forum discussions and present it to Incheon Metropolitan City and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
With 37 marinas currently operating nationwide, the discussion in Songdo reflects broader concerns about access, capacity and long-term sustainability across South Korea’s marina sector, as coastal cities reassess how marina development fits within urban environments.
