중동 정세 불안에 인천항 중고차 수출 급감…상반기 24만 대 그쳐

Cargo volumes at the Incheon Port for used car exports dropped by 25.9% compared to the previous year in 2025 and 2026 first half. In the first half of this year, the used car exports through Incheon Port amounted to 24,1934 units, representing 74.1% of the 32,6342 units exported in the same period last year. The primary reason for the decrease in used car exports is attributed to the geopolitical instability in the Middle East, triggered by the US invasion of Iran.

The first half of this year's used car exports through Incheon Port to the 16 Middle Eastern countries totaled 3,66640 units, which is 26.3% of the same period last year's 13,93342 units exported. Notably, Turkey's used car exports amounted to 1054 units, which is only 2% of the 67208 units exported in the same period last year.

Exports to the United Arab Emirates dropped from 2,6507 units to 8260 units, Jordan reduced from 21954 units to 6778 units, Iraq saw a decline from 1274 units to 382 units, and Syria experienced a sharp decrease from 1681 units to 6625 units. The proportion of Middle Eastern exports at Incheon Port also dropped significantly, from 42.7% of total used car exports last year to 15.1% this year.

Incheon Port is where most used car exports in the country occur, handling 71.1% of the total. A Incheon Port official said, "The used car exports to the Middle East have dropped significantly. Although exporters state that they are circumventing through other regions, the options seem limited." In the first half of this year, Libya recorded the highest used car exports, totaling 5,6536 units (down 24% compared to the previous year).

Following close behind are Kyrgyzstan with 3,5868 units (16% increase), Albania with 2,2132 units (45% increase), and Tajikistan with 9952 units (37% increase).