UN/LOCODE: JPNAN📍 Japan

Port of Nakanoseki (UN/LOCODE JPNAN)

❖ Coordinates: 34.0000°N, 131.5300°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPNAN

## About the Port Nakanoseki (UN/LOCODE: JPNAN) is a minor yet strategically positioned seaport located on the western coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea (Suō Nada). Situated at approximately 34°00′ N, 131°31′ E, the port lies within the municipal boundaries of Shimonoseki City but functions as a distinct cargo hub serving the northern Yamaguchi industrial corridor. Its geographical placement offers sheltered anchorage behind the Koyagi‑shima islands, reducing exposure to prevailing south‑easterly winds and typhoon surges that affect more exposed Pacific‑facing terminals. The port’s administrative oversight falls under the jurisdiction of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Government’s Maritime Affairs Division, which coordinates with the Japan Coast Guard and the Shimonoseki Maritime Safety Agency to ensure compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and SOLAS regulations. Nakanoseki’s primary economic role centers on the handling of bulk commodities—particularly coal, limestone, and cement—destined for the nearby Chugoku‑region power plants and cement factories. Although its annual throughput is modest compared with major hubs such as Kobe or Hakata, the port’s deep‑water berth (maximum depth ~12 m LAT) and proximity to the Sanyō Expressway and JR Sanyō Main Line provide a competitive advantage for hinterland distribution. SEO‑friendly terms such as “Nakanoseki port cargo,” “JPNAN logistics,” and “Yamaguchi Prefecture bulk terminal” are frequently used by regional freight forwarders when querying vessel schedules and berth availability. ## History The origins of Nakanoseki date back to the early Edo period (1603‑1868), when the area served as a fishing village and a minor landing point for rice tribute shipped from the Suō Province to Osaka. Formal port development began in the Meiji era (1868‑1912) following the Japanese government’s push to modernize coastal infrastructure under the Port Ordinance of 1899. Initial improvements included the construction of a wooden pier and a small customs office to facilitate the export of locally mined limestone and the import of coal from Kyushu. During World War II, Nakanoseki’s facilities were expanded to support naval logistics, with the Imperial Japanese Navy installing anti‑submarine nets and a temporary munitions depot. Post‑war reconstruction under the Allied Occupation saw the port demilitarized and redirected toward civilian industrial use. The 1960s marked a turning point: the establishment of the Yamaguchi Cement Company’s plant adjacent to the quay spurred the installation of a dedicated bulk‑handling crane (capacity 30 t) and the dredging of the approach channel to accommodate vessels up to 50,000 DWT. In the 1990s, the port underwent a modernization program funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), which introduced a reinforced concrete wharf, upgraded mooring bollards, and an automated vessel traffic service (VTS) radar suite. More recently, in 2018, a shore‑power connection was installed to reduce emissions from berthed vessels, aligning Nakanoseki with Japan’s Green Port Initiative. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Nakanoseki operates a single main berth (Berth No. 1) measuring 250 m in length with a alongside depth of 12.0 m at chart datum, allowing accommodation of Panamax‑size bulk carriers. The berth is equipped with two 30‑tonne lattice‑type cranes, a 15‑tonne mobile harbor crane, and a conveyor belt system linking directly to the adjacent cement plant’s storage silos. A secondary, smaller berth (Berth No. 2, 120 m L, 8.0 m depth) serves coastal tankers and general cargo vessels handling bagged fertilizers and steel products. The port’s hinterland connectivity is facilitated by: * **Road:** Direct access to National Route 9 and the Sanyō Expressway via a 4‑km paved access road, enabling truck drayage to Yamaguchi City (≈30 km) and Kitakyushu (≈80 km). * **Rail:** A dedicated freight spur connects the port to the JR Sanyō Main Line at Nakanoseki Station, supporting block train operations for coal and limestone. * **Storage:** Open-air storage yards cover approximately 15 ha, with covered warehouses (total 8,000 m²) for bagged goods and a 120,000‑tonne silo complex for bulk cement. * **Support Services:** Pilotage is compulsory for vessels >500 GT; pilot boarding occurs at the Nakanoseki Pilot Station (Latitude 34°00′12″ N, Longitude 131°31′05″ E). Tug assistance is provided by two 2,200 kW ASD tugs stationed at the port. Freshwater bunkering, marine fuel (MGO) supply, and waste reception facilities (MARPOL Annex I‑V) are available 24 hrs. The port maintains ISPS Level 1 security, with perimeter fencing, CCTV surveillance, and access control managed by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Police Maritime Unit. Environmental monitoring includes regular water quality testing for pH, dissolved oxygen, and hydrocarbon content, conducted in cooperation with the Yamaguchi Prefectural Research Institute of Public Health. ## Economic Importance Although Nakanoseki handles less than 1 million tonnes of cargo annually, its economic impact is amplified by the high value‑added industries it serves. The port’s primary commodities—thermal coal (≈400,000 t/yr) and limestone (≈350,000 t/yr)—feed the Chugoku Electric Power Company’s Ōita‑area thermal stations and the Yamaguchi Cement Plant, which together produce over 2 million tonnes of cement per year, a key material for regional infrastructure projects such as the Seto Ohashi Bridge maintenance and highway expansions. Employment directly tied to port operations numbers around 120 personnel, including stevedores, crane operators, administrative staff, and security. Indirect employment through logistics firms, trucking companies, and maintenance contractors is estimated at an additional 400 jobs. The port contributes roughly ¥1.8 billion annually to Yamaguchi Prefecture’s gross domestic product (GDP) when factoring in cargo value, handling fees, and ancillary services. Nakanoseki also plays a role in regional disaster response; its sheltered waters and robust berth design enable it to function as an emergency logistics base for relief supplies during typhoons or earthquakes affecting the western Seto Inland Sea corridor. The port’s storage capacity can be rapidly repurposed for humanitarian aid, a capability demonstrated during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake when Nakanoseki dispatched bottled water and temporary shelters to affected areas. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Nakanoseki’s trade geometry is predominantly intra‑regional, with vessel calls concentrated on short sea shipping routes linking the Seto Inland Sea ports of Shimonoseki, Mizushima, and Kure, as well as occasional cross‑straits services to Busan (South Korea) and Shanghai (China). The majority of inbound bulk carriers originate from the Kyushu coalfields (e.g., Mitsui Miike Mine) and the limestone quarries of Ōita Prefecture, while outbound cement shipments travel to construction hubs in Hiroshima, Okayama, and the Kansai region. Key cargo categories include: * **Thermal Coal:** Primarily low‑sulphur bituminous coal for power generation; average vessel size 30,000–45,000 DWT. * **Limestone (Calcitic):** Used as raw material for cement and steel flux; handled via grab cranes and conveyed directly to silos. * **Cement (Bulk & Bagged):** Finished product dispatched in bulk carriers (20,000–35,000 DWT) or containerized bags for regional distributors. * **General Cargo:** Includes steel products, fertilizers, and occasional project cargo (e.g., wind turbine components) handled at Berth No. 2. Annual vessel traffic averages 180–200 calls, with a growing share of feeder container vessels (up to 1,200 TEU) utilizing the port as a transshipment point for cargo bound for the Chugoku industrial belt. The port’s average berth occupancy rate hovers around 45 %, indicating reserve capacity for future growth, particularly if regional shifts toward renewable energy necessitate increased biomass or ammonia handling—a prospect under feasibility study by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Government. In summary, Nakanoseki (JPNAN) offers a reliable, deep‑water niche within Japan’s Seto Inland Sea logistics network. Its combination of historical evolution, modern bulk‑handling infrastructure, solid road‑rail links, and focused economic role in energy and cement supply chains ensures continued relevance for domestic maritime trade and positions it as a viable alternative to larger, congested hubs for shippers seeking cost‑effective, timely access to western Honshu’s industrial markets.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPNAN

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]

Latitude

34.000000

Longitude

131.530000

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Nakanoseki?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Nakanoseki is JPNAN.

Where is Port of Nakanoseki located?

The Port of Nakanoseki is located in Japan, Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]. Its coordinates are 34.0000°N, 131.5300°E.

What time zone is Port of Nakanoseki in?

Port of Nakanoseki 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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