UN/LOCODE: JPKWS📍 Japan
Port of Kawasaki (UN/LOCODE JPKWS)
❖ Coordinates: 35.5309°N, 139.7031°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPKWS
## About the Port
Kawasaki Port (UN/LOCODE: **JPKWS**) is a strategically situated deep‑water facility on Tokyo Bay, in the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The port lies at **35.5309° N, 139.7031° E**, operating under the **Asia/Tokyo (UTC+9)** time zone. Managed by the **Kawasaki Port Authority**, the terminal forms part of the Greater Tokyo Bay industrial complex, one of the world’s most densely populated maritime corridors. Its proximity—approximately 20 km—from the heart of Tokyo and 30 km from Yokohama makes Kawasaki an indispensable node for intra‑regional logistics, offshore energy support, and international container traffic.
Key attributes that define Kawasaki Port include:
- **Multipurpose handling** of containers, bulk solids, liquid petrochemicals, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) cargo.
- **Integrated rail‑to‑port connections**, enabling seamless transshipment between the Tōkaidō Main Line, Keihin Freight Line, and the national shinkansen network.
- **Advanced customs and electronic data interchange (EDI) systems** that comply with the Japan Customs and International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for security and efficiency.
These capabilities position the port as a critical gateway for Japan’s high‑value manufacturing sectors, especially automotive, electronics, and chemicals.
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## History
The origins of Kawasaki Port trace back to the early **Meiji era (1868‑1912)**, when the Tokugawa shogunate’s former Edo Bay was opened to foreign trade under the **Treaty of Kanagawa**. Initial dock works focused on small‑scale coal and timber shipments supporting the nascent industrialization of the Kantō plain.
- **1910s–1930s**: Rapid expansion occurred alongside the establishment of heavy‑industry zones in the adjacent Kawasaki‑Keihin area. The port received its first dedicated container terminal in the 1930s, primarily for military logistics during the Pacific War.
- **Post‑World War II (1945‑1960)**: Under the Allied occupation, Kawasaki was rebuilt as a modern “Yard‑type” port, emphasizing ship repair and the handling of imported raw materials for Japan’s emerging petrochemical complex.
- **1970s–1990s**: The oil crises prompted the construction of specialized oil terminals, LPG storage tanks, and cryogenic facilities. Simultaneously, the port adopted containerization, installing gantry cranes capable of handling 20‑foot and 40‑foot intermodal containers.
- **2000‑present**: A series of public‑private partnership (PPP) projects introduced automated guided vehicles (AGVs), smart‑gate systems, and a deep‑draft berth capable of accommodating ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) up to 380 m in length.
The port’s evolution mirrors Japan’s broader economic trajectory—shifting from heavy industry to high‑technology manufacturing while maintaining a resilient logistics backbone.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Waterways
- **Total berth length**: ~4,200 m, comprising 12 deep‑water berths (draft ≥ 15 m) and 6 shallower berths for coastal vessels.
- **Turn‑around time**: Average vessel stay of 1.8 days for container ships, 2.5 days for bulk carriers, and 1.2 days for Ro‑Ro units.
- **Navigational aids**: Integrated AIS, VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) radar, and tidal control systems ensure safe passage despite the high traffic density of Tokyo Bay.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Container cranes**: 8 Super‑Post-Panamax quay cranes, each with a 22‑slot spreader and a lifting capacity of 65 t.
- **Bulk material handlers**: 4 ship‑to‑shore gantries, belt conveyors, and pneumatic unloaders for coal, limestone, and gypsum.
- **Liquid terminals**: 2 crude oil jetties, 3 LPG/LNG berths with cryogenic storage totaling 1.4 Mt, and a dedicated refinery off‑loading line serving the Kawasaki Oil Refinery.
### Intermodal Connections
- **Rail**: Dual‑track freight line with a capacity of 120 k TEU per day, directly linking to the Hokuriku and Tōkaidō corridors.
- **Road**: Direct access to the **Kawasaki Expressway (E6)** and National Route 1, providing 24‑hour truck service to the Kanto inland distribution network.
- **Warehousing**: Over 350,000 m² of temperature‑controlled and open‑yard storage, managed by third‑party logistics (3PL) operators certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs**: Automated clearance through Japan Customs' Advanced Cargo Information System (ACIS), reducing document processing time by 30 %.
- **Security**: Compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, employing CCTV, perimeter fencing, and a dedicated maritime police unit.
- **Environmental**: Shore‑power (cold ironing) facilities for 12 berths, an on‑site wastewater treatment plant (capacity 5 ML/day), and a carbon‑reduction program aligned with Japan’s 2050 net‑zero target.
For detailed specifications, see the **Kawasaki Port Authority’s official infrastructure summary**【https://www.kawasakiport.jp/en/overview】.
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## Economic Importance
Kawasaki Port contributes substantially to both regional and national economies. In fiscal year 2023, the port processed **≈ 14 million TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units) and handled **≈ 45 Mt** of bulk and liquid cargo, representing **~ 6 %** of Japan’s total maritime throughput.
### Industry Linkages
- **Petrochemical Cluster**: The port services the Kawasaki‑Keihin petrochemical belt, supplying feedstock (crude oil, naphtha) and exporting refined products (polypropylene, styrene).
- **Automotive Manufacturing**: Proximity to major OEM plants (e.g., Nissan, Mazda) enables just‑in‑time (JIT) delivery of components and outbound shipment of finished vehicles.
- **High‑Tech Electronics**: The port’s efficient container handling supports the export of semiconductors, printed circuit boards, and precision instruments, critical to Japan’s global technology leadership.
### Employment and Fiscal Revenue
- **Direct employment**: Approximately 9,500 port‑related jobs, ranging from stevedores and logistics managers to engineering technicians.
- **Indirect impact**: Multiplier effect generates an estimated 35,000 additional jobs in ancillary services (transport, customs brokerage, maintenance).
- **Fiscal contribution**: Annual port‐related tax revenue exceeds ¥120 billion, with a portion reinvested in infrastructure upgrades and community development programs.
The port’s performance is tightly correlated with Japan’s trade balance; a 1 % increase in container throughput typically translates into a ¥80 billion uplift in export‑related GDP, underscoring Kawasaki’s strategic role in sustaining economic growth.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### International Trade Corridors
- **East‑Asia Loop**: Frequent services to **Shanghai, Busan, and Hong Kong** via weekly liner routes, supporting intra‑regional supply chains for electronics and automotive parts.
- **Trans‑Pacific Lanes**: Direct calls from the U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle) and Canadian ports (Vancouver), facilitating the export of Japanese automobiles and the import of crude oil for the downstream sector.
- **Europe‑Bound Services**: Seasonal direct services to Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Mediterranean hubs (Genoa, Barcelona), primarily for chemical and high‑value manufactured goods.
The port participates in the **East Asia–Europe (EA‑E) “New Silk Road”** maritime corridor, capitalising on the growing demand for timely delivery of Japanese high‑tech products to European markets.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Origin / Destination |
|------------|----------------------|------------------------------|
| Containerized goods | 14 M TEU | Export: U.S., Europe; Import: China, SE Asia |
| Crude oil & petroleum products | 9 Mt | Import from Middle East; Export of refined fuels to domestic refineries |
| LPG / LNG | 2.5 Mt | Import from Qatar, Australia; Domestic distribution |
| Bulk solids (coal, iron ore) | 12 Mt | Import from Australia, Russia; Steel manufacturers in Kanto |
| Ro‑Ro vehicles | 1.2 M units | Export of Japanese cars; Import of overseas specialty vehicles |
### Emerging Trends
- **Circular Economy**: Growing volumes of recyclable plastics are being imported for re‑processing at nearby facilities, aligning with Japan’s waste‑to‑resource policies.
- **Cold Chain Expansion**: The rise of refrigerated container traffic (reefers) for pharmaceuticals and food products prompts investments in temperature‑controlled warehouses and on‑berth cold storage.
Kawasaki Port’s robust connectivity, diversified cargo mix, and continuous modernization ensure its relevance amid shifting global trade patterns and the evolving demands of Japan’s industrial landscape.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPKWS
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Kanagawa
Latitude
35.530906
Longitude
139.703051
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kawasaki?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kawasaki is JPKWS.
Where is Port of Kawasaki located?
The Port of Kawasaki is located in Japan, Kanagawa. Its coordinates are 35.5309°N, 139.7031°E.
What time zone is Port of Kawasaki in?
Port of Kawasaki 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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