UN/LOCODE: JPIYM📍 Japan
Port of Iyomishima (UN/LOCODE JPIYM)
❖ Coordinates: 33.8416°N, 132.7657°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPIYM
## About the Port
**Iyomishima Port** (UN/LOCODE: **JPIYM**) is a strategically situated regional harbor located on the northern coast of **Shikoku Island** in **Ehime Prefecture**, Japan. Positioned at coordinates **33.8416° N, 132.7657° E** within the **Seto Inland Sea** (Setonaikai), the port operates in the **Asia/Tokyo (JST, UTC+9)** timezone. It serves the municipal area of **Imabari City**, specifically the former township of Iyomishima, functioning as a critical logistics node for the local heavy industry cluster and a feeder link in the domestic coastal shipping network (Naikō-sen).
Classified as a **Local Port (Chihō-kō)** under Japan’s Port and Harbour Act, JPIYM is administered by the **Ehime Prefectural Government** (specifically the Imabari Port and Harbor Office). Unlike major international hubs such as Tokyo or Kobe, Iyomishima specializes in **bulk cargo handling**, **industrial raw materials**, and **roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry services** connecting Shikoku with Honshu and Kyushu. Its sheltered location within the Kurushima Strait approaches provides natural protection from prevailing winds, ensuring high operational uptime—typically exceeding 350 operable days per annum.
## History
The maritime history of Iyomishima is inextricably linked to the **Murakami Kaizoku (Murakami Naval Forces)**, who dominated the Seto Inland Sea during the Sengoku and early Edo periods (15th–17th centuries). The port’s geography—flanked by the Geiyo Islands—offered a natural stronghold for controlling maritime traffic through the Kurushima Strait.
Modern port development commenced in the **Meiji Era (1868–1912)** with the establishment of basic quay facilities to support the regional salt and cotton industries. However, the port’s contemporary industrial profile was forged during the **post-WWII reconstruction boom (1950s–1970s)**. The establishment of the **Shikoku Electric Power ** **Saijo Thermal Power Station** and adjacent petrochemical complexes in the neighboring Niihama/Saijo industrial zone catalyzed the construction of dedicated bulk berths.
A pivotal milestone occurred in **1999** with the completion of the **Nishiseto Expressway (Shimanami Kaido)**, specifically the **Hakata-Oshima Bridge** and **Oshima-Iyomishima** connections. While the expressway diverted passenger traffic to road transport, it integrated the port into a multimodal logistics corridor, facilitating "Sea & Land" combined transport for just-in-time (JIT) delivery of construction aggregates and cement to infrastructure projects across Western Japan.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Iyomishima Port comprises distinct functional zones optimized for bulk liquids, dry bulk, and RoRo operations. The total waterfront length exceeds **1,800 meters**, with basin depths maintained between **-7.5 m and -10.0 m (CD)**, accommodating vessels up to **15,000 DWT** and **180m LOA**.
### Primary Berths & Terminals
* **No. 1 & No. 2 Wharves (Public Wharves):** Combined length of 380m; depth -7.5m to -8.0m. Equipped with mobile harbor cranes (40-60t capacity) and conveyor systems for **cement, limestone, slag, and steel scrap**. Annual throughput capacity approx. 2.5 million metric tons.
* **Private Dedicated Berths (Sen'yō Futō):** Operated by **Mitsubishi Materials Corporation** and **Taiheiyo Cement Corporation**. These feature pneumatic unloaders and high-speed belt conveyors (1,500 t/h) feeding directly into silo complexes (storage capacity >200,000 tons) and processing plants.
* **Liquid Bulk Terminal:** Two dolphin-type jetties (depth -10.0m) with triple-articulated loading arms for **chemical products, heavy fuel oil (C-heavy oil), and LPG**. Compliant with **MARPOL Annex I/II** and **IBC Code** standards; fitted with vapor recovery units (VRU) and double-hull manifold connections.
* **RoRo Terminal (Ferry Wharf):** Single stern/ramp berth (depth -6.5m) serving the **Setouchi Sealanes** and **Meimon Taiyo Ferry** routes. Capable of handling **12m trailers, chassis, and passenger vehicles**. Marshaling area: 15,000 m².
### Support Infrastructure
* **Hinterland Connectivity:** Direct access to **National Route 317** and **Prefectural Route 165**; **3.5 km** to **Iyo-Saijo IC** on the **Matsuyama Expressway (E11)**. Rail siding access via **JR Yosan Line** (Iyomishima Station) for containerized cargo transshipment.
* **Navigation Aids:** VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) coverage from **Kurushima Martis**; LED sector lights, RACON, and AIS AtoN on breakwater heads.
* **Environmental Controls:** Oil boom deployment stations (Tier 1 response <30 mins); wastewater reception facilities (Annex I/II/VI); shore power supply (High Voltage) at RoRo berth for emissions reduction.
## Economic Importance
Iyomishima Port acts as the **maritime gateway for the Eastern Ehime Industrial Zone (Tōyo Kōchi Chitai)**, one of Shikoku’s most concentrated heavy industrial corridors. The port’s economic multiplier effect is significant: it supports direct employment for approx. **1,200 stevedores, surveyors, and terminal operators**, with indirect employment in trucking, ship agency, and manufacturing exceeding **5,000 jobs**.
### Key Economic Drivers
1. **Cement & Construction Aggregates:** The port handles **~60% of Shikoku’s cement export volume**. Taiheiyo Cement’s Iyomishima plant utilizes imported limestone (from Philippines/Vietnam) and domestic silica stone, exporting finished cement to Hanshin, Kyushu, and Tokyo Bay via coastal bulkers.
2. **Energy Logistics:** The adjacent **Saijo Power Station (1.8 GW LNG/Heavy Oil)** relies on JPIYM for **heavy fuel oil (C-grade) and LNG satellite tanker deliveries**. The port’s liquid bulk capacity ensures energy security for the Shikoku grid during peak summer/winter demand.
3. **Steel & Non-Ferrous Metals:** Functions as a collection point for **steel scrap** (urban mining) sourced from Western Japan demolition sites, consolidated for electric arc furnace (EAF) feedstock in Kyushu and Chugoku regions.
4. **Modal Shift Policy:** Aligned with the **MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)** "Modal Shift Promotion Project," the port receives subsidies for RoRo vessel construction and terminal automation, targeting a **30% reduction in CO2e per ton-km** versus trucking on the Shimanami Kaido.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
JPIYM operates almost exclusively within the **Domestic Coastal Shipping (Naikō)** network and **Near-Seas (Kin-kai)** trades (East Asia/Southeast Asia). It is not a designated **Base Port (Kiban Kō)** for deep-sea container lines; containerized cargo is transshipped via **Kobe (JPUKB)**, **Pusan (KRPUS)**, or **Shanghai (CNSHA)** using feeder vessels calling at **Imabari Port** or **Matsuyama Port**.
### Major Cargo Volumes (Annual Estimates, Metric Tons)
| Cargo Category | Direction | Primary Trade Lanes | Key Commodities |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Dry Bulk** | Import | Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, Domestic (Kyushu) | Limestone, Coal (thermal), Silica Sand, Gypsum, Iron Ore (fines) |
| **Dry Bulk** | Export | Hanshin, Tokyo Bay, Kyushu, Korea (Busan/Ulsan) | Cement (Portland/Blast Furnace), Steel Slag (road base), Limestone aggregate |
| **Liquid Bulk** | Import | Domestic Refineries (Mizushima, Sakai), Singapore (Spot) | Heavy Fuel Oil (C-grade), Naphtha, Caustic Soda, Sulfuric Acid, LPG |
| **RoRo / General** | Domestic | Kitakyushu (Shimonoseki), Osaka, Kobe, Oita, Miyazaki | Trailers (40ft/Chassis), Passenger Vehicles, Construction Machinery, Agricultural Produce (Citrus) |
### Strategic Route Analysis
* **The "Setouchi Triangle" (Iyomishima ⇄ Hanshin ⇄ Kitakyushu):** High-frequency coastal bulker/RoRo loops (3-4 sailings/week per operator). Transit time: **10-12 hours to Osaka/Kobe; 4-5 hours to Kitakyushu**. This triangle handles 70% of port throughput.
* **International Limestone Chain:** **Cebu/Guimaras (PH) ⇄ Iyomishima**. Panamax/Kamsarmax vessels (60-75k DWT) discharge 50-60k MT parcels. Critical for cement clinker ratio management.
* **Coastal Energy Shuttle:** **Mizushima (Okayama) ⇄ Iyomishima**. Dedicated product tankers (3,000-5,000 DWT) supplying power station fuel on 14-day cycles.
### Digital Integration
The port utilizes the **NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System)** for customs/port clearance and has piloted **Maritime Single Window** initiatives with the **Japan Coast Guard** and **Ehime Customs**. Real-time berth scheduling and draft optimization are managed via the **PORTMIS (Port Management Information System)** operated by the prefecture, facilitating dynamic slot allocation for the high-frequency RoRo services.
For further regulatory details on Japanese port classifications and statistics, refer to the **Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Port Bureau** publications. Additional hydrographic data and navigational warnings for the Kurushima Strait are maintained by the **Japan Coast Guard Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department**.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPIYM
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Ehime
Latitude
33.841624
Longitude
132.765681
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Iyomishima?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Iyomishima is JPIYM.
Where is Port of Iyomishima located?
The Port of Iyomishima is located in Japan, Ehime. Its coordinates are 33.8416°N, 132.7657°E.
What time zone is Port of Iyomishima in?
Port of Iyomishima operates in the Asia/Tokyo time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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