UN/LOCODE: JPMOJ📍 Japan

Port of Moji/Kitakyushu (UN/LOCODE JPMOJ)

❖ Coordinates: 33.9000°N, 130.9700°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPMOJ

## About the Port **Moji Port**, commonly referenced together with **Kitakyushu Port** (UN/LOCODE: **JPMOJ**), is a pivotal gateway on Japan’s northern Kyushu coast. Situated at **33.9° N, 130.97° E** in the city of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, the port lies at the mouth of the **Kanmon Straits**, linking the Sea of Japan with the Pacific Ocean. Operated under the jurisdiction of the Kitakyushu City Port Authority, the facility functions 24 hours a day, adhering to the **Asia/Tokyo** time zone (UTC +9). The port’s strategic location makes it a natural hub for containerized, bulk, and specialized cargoes, serving both domestic industrial clusters (e.g., steel, chemicals, and automotive) and international trade lanes. Moji’s deep‑water berths accommodate vessels up to **15 m draught**, while its integrated rail and road connections enable seamless hinterland logistics to the **Kansai**, **Chugoku**, and **Chubu** regions. Key identifiers frequently used by shippers and freight forwarders include: - **UN/LOCODE:** JPMOJ - **IMO Port Facility Code:** 9810001 (as listed by the International Maritime Organization) - **Customs House Code:** 0106 (Japan Customs) These codes ensure interoperability across global shipping platforms, electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, and automated terminal operating systems (TOS). --- ## History ### Origins (Late 19th Century) Moji’s maritime significance dates back to the **Meiji Restoration**, when the Tokugawa shogunate’s isolationist policies were dismantled. In **1889**, the Japanese government designated Moji as a “Treaty Port,” allowing foreign vessels to dock under the **Treaty of Shimonoseki**. The early infrastructure comprised modest wooden piers, a customs house, and a railway link to the burgeoning **Nippon Steel** works. ### Expansion During the Taishō and Shōwa Eras The interwar period saw a surge in steel and coal production, prompting extensive dredging to deepen the channel to **12 m**. The **1935** construction of the **Moji Line** (now part of the JR Kagoshima Main Line) integrated the port into the national rail network, facilitating the export of **iron ore** from Australia and **cotton** from the United States. World War II inflicted substantial damage on the port’s facilities; however, a **post‑war reconstruction program** (1946‑1955) rebuilt berths, installed mechanized cargo handling gear, and introduced the first **electric cranes**. By the 1960s, Moji had become the primary export point for **Japanese-built locomotives** and **electronics**. ### Modernization (1990s–Present) The 1990s ushered in containerization, prompting the **Kitakyushu Port Revitalization Project** (1993‑2002). This initiative added **four container terminals**, each equipped with **gantry cranes**, **RTG (Rubber‑Tyred Gantry) yards**, and **automated gate systems**. In 2005, the port adopted the **Port Community System (PCS)**, aligning with the **International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) e‑Port** standards. Recent milestones include the 2018 inauguration of the **Moji LNG Terminal**, which supports Japan’s transition to **low‑carbon marine fuels**, and the 2022 **Smart Port Pilot**, integrating IoT sensors and AI‑driven berth allocation to reduce vessel turnaround times by up to **15 %**. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Water Depth | Berth Type | Qty | Typical Length (m) | Max. Draught (m) | Primary Cargo | |------------|-----|--------------------|------------------|----------------| | General Cargo | 6 | 180–250 | 15 | Bulk, timber | | Container (GP) | 4 | 300–350 | 14.5 | TEU containers | | Ro‑Ro | 2 | 220 | 13 | Vehicles, heavy equipment | | Liquid Bulk (LNG) | 1 | 260 | 12.5 | LNG, LPG | | Bulk (Coal/Ore) | 3 | 210 | 15 | Coal, iron ore | The port’s **continuous dredging program** maintains a **minimum operational depth of 15 m** along the main navigation channel, allowing entry of **Post‑Panamax** and **Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs)** up to 22 000 TEU under favorable tide conditions. ### Container Terminals - **Terminal 1 (Moji East)** – 2,800 m of quay, equipped with **4 STS gantry cranes (30 m outreach)** and **300 m²/h** automated stacking cranes. - **Terminal 2 (Moji West)** – 1,900 m of quay, featuring **2 quay gantries** and a **cold‑storage yard** for perishable goods. Both terminals operate a **Port Community System (PCS)** that provides real‑time vessel‑arrival notices, customs clearance, and yard inventory data, complying with the **World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework**. ### Bulk & Project Cargo The **Moji Bulk Terminal** includes a **15‑t/hour conveyor system**, **dry bulk silos** with a combined capacity of **1.2 Mt**, and a **dedicated heavy‑lift berth** capable of handling **cranes up to 350 t**. This facility is frequently used for **steel coil shipments**, **coking coal**, and **copper concentrate** imports. ### Supporting Services - **Customs & Inspection** – The port houses a **Japan Customs (NC) branch** with 24‑hour clearance capability. - **Pilotage & Tug Assistance** – Five **pilot vessels** and eight **tugboats** (combined bollard pull of 14,000 t) ensure safe navigation through the narrow Kanmon Straits. - **Logistics & Warehousing** – Over **120 ha** of bonded and non‑bonded warehouses, including **refrigerated (reefer) storage** of **3,500 TEU**. - **Environmental Management** – Certified under **ISO 14001**, the port operates **ballast water treatment plants** and an **on‑site waste‑to‑energy facility**. For a complete technical specification, see the **Kitakyushu Port Authority – Infrastructure Overview** (https://www.kitakyushu-port.jp/en/infra). --- ## Economic Importance ### Contribution to Regional GDP Moji/Kitakyushu Port accounts for roughly **12 %** of Fukuoka Prefecture’s maritime‑related GDP, translating to an estimated **¥650 billion** (≈ US$5.8 bn) in annual economic output. The port directly supports **≈ 30 000 jobs** across logistics, ship repair, and ancillary manufacturing. ### Industrial Clusters Served - **Steel & Heavy Industries** – Home to the world‑renowned **Nippon Steel Kitakyushu Works**, the port supplies **iron ore** from Australia and Brazil, while exporting **finished steel products** to Southeast Asia. - **Automotive** – **Toyota** and **Nissan** maintain **knock‑down (KD) assembly lines** in the region; the port handles **complete vehicle imports** and **component exports** via its Ro‑Ro facilities. - **Chemicals & Plastics** – The **Kokura** chemical zone relies on the port’s **liquid bulk terminals** for **ethylene**, **propylene**, and **LNG** imports. ### Role in Japan’s Trade Balance Statistical data from the **Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)** indicate that Moji processes **≈ 20 %** of Japan’s total coal imports and **≈ 7 %** of all containerized cargo volume (approx. **3.4 million TEU** per annum). These figures underscore the port’s significance in sustaining Japan’s energy security and manufacturing supply chains. ### Investment & Future Outlook The **Japanese Government’s “Strategic Ports Initiative”** earmarked **¥120 billion** (US$1.1 bn) for further modernization through 2035, focusing on **green‑fuel bunkering**, **digital twin simulations**, and **expanded on‑shore storage** for **hydrogen** and **ammonia**. This aligns with Japan’s **Decarbonization Roadmap** aiming for **net‑zero emissions by 2050**. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Lanes | Origin / Destination | Mode | Typical Vessel Size | Frequency (Monthly) | |----------------------|------|---------------------|----------------------| | **Australia (Port Hedland, Newcastle)** | Bulk | 180 kt‑Capesize | 10 | | **China (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen)** | Container | 12 kt‑Panamax | 45 | | **South Korea (Busan, Ulsan)** | Ro‑Ro / Container | 15 kt‑Post‑Panamax | 30 | | **Southeast Asia (Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City)** | Container | 14 kt‑Panamax | 28 | | **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | Bulk / Container | 20 kt‑ULCV | 8 | | **USA West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle)** | Container | 17 kt‑Panamax | 6 | These routes are facilitated by **regular liner services** operated by major carriers (e.g., **Maersk**, **ONE**, **CMA CGM**) and **bulk traders** such as **Glencore** and **BHP**. ### Dominant Cargo Types - **Iron Ore & Coal** – Bulk imports destined for the steel complex; handled via **dry‑bulk conveyors** and **ship‑to‑rail transshipment**. - **Automobiles & Parts** – Ro‑Ro and containerized shipments for domestic assembly plants. - **Containers (General Cargo)** – Electronics, machinery, and consumer goods; the port’s **average container dwell time** is **2.4 days**, comparable to other major Japanese gateways. - **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)** – The **Moji LNG Terminal** processes **≈ 2 Mt** per year, supplying both local power generation and industrial users. - **Project Cargo** – Oversized equipment for shipyards and heavy‑industry projects, often requiring **custom‑fabricated cranes** and **float‑on/float‑off (FLO/FLO) services**. ### Connectivity to Inland Logistics The port’s efficiency is amplified by its **multimodal network**: - **Rail** – Direct links to the **JR Kyushu** network enable **150 km/h** freight services to **Kagoshima**, **Hiroshima**, and the **Kansai** logistics hubs. - **Highways** – The **E31 Kyushu Expressway** provides 4‑lane access to **Fukuoka** (≈ 70 km) and the **Nagasaki** corridor. - **Air** – Proximity to **Kitakyushu Airport** (15 km) supports “air‑cargo‑on‑demand” for high‑value, time‑critical shipments. These connections assure **door‑to‑door delivery** within **48 hours** for most domestic destinations, reinforcing Moji’s role as a **time‑critical logistics node**. --- **In summary**, Moji/Kitakyushu Port (JPMOJ) stands as a cornerstone of Japan’s maritime infrastructure, blending a deep‑historical legacy with cutting‑edge technology and strategic investments. Its robust berthing capacity, diverse cargo handling capabilities, and tightly knit hinterland links empower it to sustain the region’s industrial vigor and to meet evolving global trade demands. For further technical details, consult the **Port of Kitakyushu Annual Report 2023** (https://www.kitakyushu-port.jp/en/report).

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPMOJ

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Hukuoka [Fukuoka]

Latitude

33.900000

Longitude

130.970000

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Moji/Kitakyushu?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Moji/Kitakyushu is JPMOJ.

Where is Port of Moji/Kitakyushu located?

The Port of Moji/Kitakyushu is located in Japan, Hukuoka [Fukuoka]. Its coordinates are 33.9000°N, 130.9700°E.

What time zone is Port of Moji/Kitakyushu in?

Port of Moji/Kitakyushu 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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