KP Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
The country prefix for Democratic People's Republic Of Korea is KP. A full UN/LOCODE combines KP with a three-letter location identifier, such as KPNAM for Nampo or KPCHO for Chongjin.
Seaports in Democratic People's Republic Of Korea: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea has 13 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting coastal, bulk, industrial and regional maritime movements across the country's west and east coasts.
Port coverage includes Nampo, Chongjin, Chinnampo, Rajin, Wonsan, Haeju, Hungnam and other listed locations. Port operations, services, schedules and cargo acceptance are subject to confirmation.
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Port Overview
The country has a compact but geographically distributed port network. Publicly comparable national and port-level throughput statistics are limited, so operational figures should be verified against the carrier, terminal, authority or local agent before booking.
13
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
—
National seaborne cargo throughput, tonnes, 2025; YoY change not publicly reported on a comparable basis
UNCTAD 2025
—
National container throughput, TEU, 2025; YoY change not publicly reported on a comparable basis
UNCTAD 2025
—
Commercial port berths, 2025; YoY change not publicly reported in a consolidated official series
NGA 2025
How many seaports does Democratic People's Republic Of Korea have?
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea has 13 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its country database as of Nov 2026. This is an indexed coverage count, not a national legal or administrative port census.
Which is the largest or busiest port in Democratic People's Republic Of Korea?
Nampo, UN/LOCODE KPNAM, is generally treated as the country's principal western commercial gateway and is the first-ranked location in the Ecer Freight sample. Comparable 2025 port throughput and global rank figures are not consistently published.
Which regions handle most maritime cargo?
The main cargo areas are the western industrial corridor around Nampo, Chinnampo and Songnim, and the eastern coastal corridor around Chongjin, Rajin, Wonsan and Hungnam. Cargo roles and berth availability remain subject to confirmation.
Top Ports in Democratic People's Republic Of Korea
The table follows the Ecer Freight country sample order, which reflects business activity and database relevance rather than an independently verified global container ranking. Public 2025 throughput and year-on-year figures are not available on a consistent port-by-port basis for these locations.
Indexed leading ports and terminals; 2025 container figures are shown only where a reliable comparable public series is available.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Nampo | KPNAM | — | — | West coast |
| — | Chongjin | KPCHO | — | — | Northeast coast |
| — | Chinnampo | KPCHI | — | — | West coast |
| — | Rajin | KPRAJ | — | — | Northeast coast |
| — | Wonsan | KPWON | — | — | East coast |
| — | Haeju | KPHAE | — | — | Southwest coast |
| — | Hungnam | KPHGM | — | — | East coast |
| — | Odaejin | KPODA | — | — | East coast |
Regional Port Groups
Western Industrial Coast
The western coast connects industrial and population centres with the country's principal maritime gateway around the Taedong River estuary and nearby coastal facilities.
Ports indexed in the western industrial cluster
Central East Coast
The central east coast serves coastal distribution, industrial activity and selected bulk movements along the Sea of Japan-facing coastline.
Ports indexed in the central east coast cluster
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wonsan | KPWON | Wonsan / — | General, coastal and industrial cargo |
| Hungnam | KPHGM | Hungnam / — | Industrial and bulk cargo |
| Riwon | KPRIW | Riwon / — | Coastal and local bulk cargo |
| Sinpo | KPSIN | Sinpo / — | Coastal and fisheries-related cargo |
| Tanchon | KPTCH | Tanchon / — | Mineral, industrial and coastal cargo |
Northeast Maritime Corridor
The northeast corridor includes ports positioned for regional coastal movements and cross-border maritime activity, with service patterns dependent on restrictions, vessel availability and current operating permissions.
Ports indexed in the northeast maritime cluster
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea Port Codes
UN/LOCODE entries help identify maritime locations in shipping instructions, customs documents, bills of lading and rate requests. Code availability does not by itself confirm current commercial operability.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Identification
A city or port-area code may represent a wider maritime location, while a terminal or facility reference can be required for actual cargo handling. The booking party should confirm the exact facility, berth and receiving instructions.
How to Verify a Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework and the current Ecer Freight port directory. Carrier systems and local agents should be checked for schedule and acceptance status.
Shipping from Democratic People's Republic Of Korea: Main Trade Lanes
Indicative lane groupings below are planning references rather than guaranteed services. Routing, sanctions screening, transshipment permissions, vessel acceptance and documentation requirements must be confirmed for each shipment.
Western Coast Regional Cargo
Nampo and Chinnampo can serve as reference origins for west-coast general, industrial and bulk cargo, subject to port and carrier acceptance.
Northeast Regional Trade
Rajin and Chongjin are relevant reference points for northeast coastal and regional movements, although service availability can vary materially.
East Coast Industrial Cargo
Wonsan and Hungnam may be considered for industrial, project and bulk cargo inquiries where the port, vessel and commodity are accepted.
Coastal and Bulk Distribution
Secondary locations can support local coastal distribution and bulk cargo movements, but berth depth, equipment and cargo restrictions require case-by-case validation.
Port Data Methodology and Sources
This page separates Ecer Freight indexed coverage from externally reported port rankings and national statistics. Where a comparable official 2025 figure could not be verified, the field is shown as unavailable rather than estimated.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party directory coverage of 13 Democratic People's Republic Of Korea ports and terminals, snapshot Nov 2026.
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe — UN/LOCODE framework and location-code reference methodology.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Maritime Safety Information — navigational and port-reference context; operational details require current confirmation.
- UN Trade and Development — international maritime transport and trade indicators used for macro-level context where available.
- United Nations Statistics Division — international statistical definitions and reported trade-data context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seaports does Democratic People's Republic Of Korea have?
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea has 13 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of Nov 2026. The figure describes database coverage and should not be treated as a complete official port census.
What is the main port of Democratic People's Republic Of Korea?
Nampo, identified in the Ecer Freight sample as KPNAM, is generally regarded as the principal western commercial gateway. Current berth, vessel and cargo availability must be checked before shipment.
What port codes are used for Democratic People's Republic Of Korea?
Democratic People's Republic Of Korea uses the KP country prefix in UN/LOCODE references. Examples in the Ecer Freight sample include KPNAM for Nampo, KPCHO for Chongjin, KPCHI for Chinnampo and KPRAJ for Rajin.
Which regions are most important for Democratic People's Republic Of Korea shipping?
The principal reference areas are the western industrial coast around Nampo and Chinnampo, the central east coast around Wonsan and Hungnam, and the northeast corridor around Chongjin and Rajin.
Are 2025 port throughput figures available?
A consistent, independently verifiable 2025 container-throughput series was not identified for the listed ports. Port-level cargo volumes, berth conditions and year-on-year changes should therefore be confirmed with the relevant carrier, authority or local agent.
Can a freight quote be requested for Democratic People's Republic Of Korea?
A quote request can be submitted with the exact origin and destination port, commodity, packing details, weight, dimensions, Incoterms, desired sailing date and any required compliance information. Rates and acceptance remain subject to route and carrier confirmation.
Are port services and schedules guaranteed?
No. Schedules, vessel acceptance, transshipment options, documentation, sanctions screening, berth access and cargo restrictions can change. All operational details for Democratic People's Republic Of Korea should be reconfirmed before booking and loading.
Editorial note: This page combines Ecer Freight's first-party port directory with publicly available international maritime and location-code references. The indexed port count is refreshed with the database snapshot, while external statistics and operational details are reviewed quarterly and may be revised when authoritative data becomes available.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Democratic People's Republic Of Korea: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact