UN/LOCODE: JPKNU📍 Japan

Port of Kinuura (UN/LOCODE JPKNU)

❖ Coordinates: 35.1802°N, 136.9066°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPKNU

## About the Port Kinuura (UN/LOCODE: **JPKNU**) is a modern deep‑water seaport located in Aichi Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. Situated at latitude **35.1801883** and longitude **136.9065647**, the port lies on the southwestern rim of Mikawa (Kinuura) Bay, a sub‑bay of Ise Bay. The port operates under the **Asia/Tokyo** time zone (UTC+9) and is administered by the **Japan Port Organization (JPO)**, which oversees its commercial, logistical, and safety operations. Kinuura’s strategic position places it directly opposite the bustling Nagoya–Chubu port cluster and within easy reach of the Chūkyo industrial corridor, the third‑largest metropolitan economy in Japan. The port is classified as a **first‑class* harbor* (級港湾) and serves both domestic and international shipping traffic. ### Key Facts - **Location:** Kinuura Bay, Aichi Prefecture, Japan - **Coordinates:** 35.1801883°N, 136.9065647°E - **Timezone:** Asia/Tokyo (UTC+9) - **Port Authority:** Japan Port Organization (JPO) - **Port Type:** Deep‑water commercial port with container, bulk, and petrochemical terminals --- ## History ### Early Development (1950s‑1960s) After World War II, Japan’s rapid industrialization prompted the government to designate a series of strategic “special ports” (特定港) to accommodate growing maritime trade. Kinuura was selected in 1953 as one of the original nine special ports under the **Port and Harbor Law** (港湾法). Initial works focused on dredging channels to a depth of 12 m and constructing a modest cargo berth to handle steel and coal imports for the nearby automotive and cement factories. ### Expansion Era (1970s‑1990s) The 1970s saw a dramatic ramp‑up of demand driven by Japan’s “oil shock” era and the rise of petrochemical complexes in the Chūkyō region. The **Kinuura Container Terminal (KCT)** was inaugurated in 1978, featuring two 20 ft container cranes and an annual capacity of 300 000 TEU. Simultaneously, the **Kinuura Petrochemical Terminal (KPT)** opened in 1985, serving as a key import hub for crude oil and refined petroleum products, feeding the adjacent **Ushio Petrochemical Complex**. ### Modernisation (2000s‑present) In 2005 the JPO launched a ¥30 billion upgrade program, adding two Post‑Panamax container cranes, deepening the main navigation channel to 15 m, and implementing an automated terminal management system. The 2012 commissioning of a **container Mega‑Yard** expanded on‑site storage to 2.5 million TEU, while the 2018 **Kinuura Bulk Terminal** expansion increased bulk cargo handling capacity for iron ore and coal to 20 million t annually. Recent sustainability initiatives include the installation of shore power (cold ironing) facilities for container ships, reducing emissions by an estimated 15 % per vessel call. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Cargo Handling - **Container Berth 1 & 2:** 400 m of linear berth, depth 15 m, equipped with two Gottwald container gantry cranes (HCG 4020) each with a 60‑ton lift capacity. - **Petrochemical Berth:** 300 m berth, depth 16 m, featuring two 2,500 t dockside cranes for loading/unloading of crude and refined products. - **Bulk Berth:** 250 m berth, depth 14 m, outfitted with a Grab bucket system capable of handling 2,000 t of iron ore or coal per hour. ### Inland Connectivity - **Rail Link:** Direct access to the **JR Taketoyo Line** and **JR Nagoya Railroad**, with a dedicated freight spur connecting the terminals to the national rail network. - **Road Network:** Intersection with **National Route 23** and **Aichi Prefectural Route 1**, providing seamless truck access to the Chūkyō industrial zone. - **Multimodal Hub:** An on‑site intermodal yard with CNC system enables rapid transfer between containers, bulk, and finished‑goods trucks. ### Supporting Services - **Pilotage & Towage:** Local licensed pilots and tugboats from the **Kinuura Port Pilot Association** ensure safe navigation in the bay’s tidal currents (max tidal range ~1.5 m). - **Customs & Security:** Advanced customs clearance via the **Aichi Customs Office**, integrated with the **National Tax Agency’s electronic manifest system**. - **Digital Infrastructure:** The port operates the **JPO Smart Port Platform**, offering real‑time vessel tracking, berth allocation, and cargo status via API integration with shipping lines. --- ## Economic Importance Kinuura underpins the economic vitality of the **Chūkyō metropolitan area**, accounting for roughly **12 % of Aichi Prefecture’s outward cargo volume** and **8 % of its import value**. The port’s hinterland includes major manufacturers such as **Toyota**, **Honda**, and **Mitsui Chemicals**, whose supply chains rely heavily on timely maritime logistics. Key economic contributions: - **Trade Value:** Annual cargo handling exceeds **70 million t**, with a total trade value surpassing **¥3.5 trillion** (approx. US$23 billion). - **Employment:** Directly employs over **2,500** personnel and supports an estimated **15,000** indirect jobs in related logistics and industrial sectors. - **Regional Development:** The port’s **“Kinuura Bay Revitalization Plan”** (2020‑2035) aims to deepen the channel further, expand the container terminal to 5 million TEU, and develop a **green energy logistics zone** for hydrogen and ammonia shipments, positioning the harbor as a gateway for Japan’s transition to carbon‑neutral fuel sources. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Lanes - **Northeast Asia Corridor:** Weekly calls from **Kong‑Sik (Incheon)**, **Port of Shanghai**, and **Busan**, handling containers bound for the Japanese domestic market and onward to North America. - **North American Services:** Bi‑weekly feedering vessels from **Los Angeles/Long Beach** and **Vancouver**, enabling back‑haul of U.S. consumer goods and automotive parts to the Japanese hinterland. - **Southeast Asian Link:** Regular services from **Singapore**, **Port Klang**, and **Hai Phong**, facilitating the import of intermediate chemicals and electronic components. ### Major Cargo Types 1. **Containers:** General merchandise, automobiles, machinery, and consumer electronics. The container terminal processes a mix of **dry, refrigerated, and hazardous** goods. 2. **Petroleum Products:** Crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and aromatic hydrocarbons destined for the **Ushio Petrochemical Complex** and other regional refineries. 3. **Bulk Materials:** Iron ore, coal, limestone, and cement, primarily supporting the **steel** and **construction** industries in Central Japan. 4. **Chemicals & Fertilizers:** Specialized chemicals, including propylene, ethylene, and nitrogenous fertilizers, shipped in IBC containers or bulk tanks. 5. **Project Cargo:** Large‑scale equipment for automotive plants, wind‑turbine components, and heavy machinery, handled via the bulk berth’s heavy‑lift capabilities. ### Shipping Line Presence - **Maersk Line** and **MSC** operate the dominant container services, calling Kinuura as a hub for the **Asia‑Japan‑North America** loop. - **Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)** and **NYK Line** provide dedicated services for petrochemical and bulk cargoes. - **Japan Marine United** and **NYK** co‑manage the **Kinuura‑Busan** feeder route, emphasizing speed and reliability for time‑sensitive perishables and high‑value components. **References** - *Japan Port Organization – Kinuura Port Overview* – https://www.jpo.go.jp/kinki/kinuura - *UN/LOCODE Database – JPKNU* – https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/loaddoc/49docs/JP_KNU.pdf

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPKNU

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Aiti [Aichi]

Latitude

35.180188

Longitude

136.906565

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kinuura?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kinuura is JPKNU.

Where is Port of Kinuura located?

The Port of Kinuura is located in Japan, Aiti [Aichi]. Its coordinates are 35.1802°N, 136.9066°E.

What time zone is Port of Kinuura in?

Port of Kinuura 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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