Seoul - A new passenger and cargo ferry line began operations Monday, linking South Korea with Russia, Japan and China, local cable television YTN TV reported.

The ferry links Russia's Jarubino port of Vladivostok with Sokcho port in South Korea, China's Huichun as well as Japan's Niigata prefecture on a weekly basis.

The new line will be serviced by the Qingdao Goddess, which can accommodate 750 passengers and carry 180 standard containers.

The link is hoped to boost tourism traffic into Japan from South Korea and Russia.

"We expect the ferry to bring more tourists to our Niigata, which is famous for its beautiful ski grounds, 150 hot springs and local liquor," a Niigata tourism official was quoted as saying.

The ferry link was launched on July 30, but operation was postponed to resolve who is to be responsible for security checks at Sokcho port.

The link is owned and operated by the Eastnorth Ferry Co, a 3-million-dollar joint venture of all four governments, with South Korea being the majority stakeholder. (dpa)