UN/LOCODE: JPNGS📍 Japan
Port of Nagasaki (UN/LOCODE JPNGS)
❖ Coordinates: 32.7503°N, 129.8777°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPNGS
## About the Port
Nagasaki Port (UN/LOCODE: **JPNGS**) is a strategic maritime gateway located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at **32.7502856 °N, 129.877667 °E**. Operated by the Nagasaki Port Authority under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the port serves the prefectural capital of Nagasaki and the surrounding western Kyushu region. Positioned within the **Asia/Tokyo** time zone, Nagasaki enjoys a natural deep‑water inlet protected by the surrounding peninsulas, which enables the accommodation of ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) and bulk carriers year‑round. The port’s modern logistics hub links Japan’s domestic industrial base with key Asian and trans‑Pacific trade lanes, making it a linchpin of the nation’s “East‑West” maritime corridor.
## History
### Early Development (16th–19th Century)
Nagasaki’s maritime significance dates back to the **Mōri** and **Ōtomo** clans in the 16th century, when it served as the sole window for European trade, notably the **Portuguese** (1550) and later the **Dutch** (1600). The establishment of *Dejima* in 1634 created a controlled enclave for Dutch-East India Company (VOC) merchants, anchoring Nagasaki as Japan’s conduit for Western technology and silver.
### Meiji Modernization (1868–1914)
Following the 1854 *Treaty of Kanagawa*, the Meiji government prioritized Nagasaki’s expansion to meet emerging steamship requirements. The first modern quay, **Nagasaki Pier No. 1**, opened in 1882, followed by the construction of the **Nagasaki Railway Line** (1889) that integrated sea‑to‑rail cargo flows. By 1914, the port had been classified as a **“first‑class international port”** under Japanese law, handling timber, coal, and textiles.
### Post‑War Reconstruction (1945–1970)**
Heavy Allied bombing in August 1945 devastated the waterfront, prompting a massive reconstruction program under the **Allied Occupation**. The 1950s saw the introduction of **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** terminals, while the 1960s added a dedicated **container terminal**—Japan’s first of its kind—positioning Nagasaki as a pioneer in containerization.
### Contemporary Era (1970‑Present)
From the 1970s onward, the port expanded its dredging depth to **13 m** (later deepened to **14 m**) to accommodate larger vessels. The **Nagasaki International Trade Center**, inaugurated in 1992, consolidated customs, freight forwarding, and inspection services. Recent investments (2015‑2023) have focused on **green port initiatives**, including shore‑side electricity (cold ironing) and LNG‑powered towage, aligning Nagasaki with Japan’s 2050 carbon‑neutral maritime targets.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Main Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Use | Berth Length | Depth (m) | Annual Throughput |
|----------|-------------|--------------|----------|-------------------|
| **Container Terminal 1** | TEU containers (40‑ft & 45‑ft) | 1,200 m | 14.0 | 3.2 M TEU |
| **Container Terminal 2** | Reefer & hazardous cargo | 900 m | 13.5 | 1.1 M TEU |
| **Bulk & Ore Terminal** | Iron ore, coal, limestone | 1,050 m | 13.0 | 24 Mt |
| **Ro‑Ro Terminal** | Vehicles, project cargo | 800 m | 12.5 | 1.8 M pcs |
| **General Cargo Wharf** | Break‑bulk, timber | 650 m | 12.0 | 650 kt |
### Supporting Facilities
- **Deep‑water Anchorage** (30‑nm radius, depth 16 m) for waiting vessels.
- **Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) System** that reduces truck turnaround time by 22 % (operational since 2020).
- **Customs & Inspection Complex** equipped with non‑intrusive inspection (NII) X‑ray scanners.
- **Cold‑Storage Cluster** (10,000 m³) for perishable imports, integrating with the Nagasaki International Trade Center’s cold‑chain logistics.
- **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) Cranes**: 8 Super‑Post-Panamax (22 m outreach) and 12 Panamax units, collectively offering a **quay crane productivity** of 30 TEU per hour.
### Connectivity
- **Rail**: Direct connection to the **JR Kyushu Kagoshima Line** and the **Nagasaki Freight Line**, enabling 1,200 km of rail service to the Kansai, Chūbu, and Kanto regions.
- **Road**: Linked to the **Kyushu Expressway (E3)** via the **Nagasaki Bypass**, providing 4‑lane access to Kitakyushu and Fukuoka.
- **Air**: Proximity (15 km) to **Nagasaki Airport** enables air‑cargo intermodal flow; a dedicated **air‑freight terminal** supports high‑value, time‑critical shipments.
## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
Nagasaki Port accounts for **≈ 12 %** of Nagasaki Prefecture’s total export value, contributing roughly **¥ 1.9 trillion** (≈ US$ 13 billion) annually. The port underpins the region’s major industries:
- **Automotive parts** (Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi suppliers) – 35 % of outbound cargo.
- **Marine equipment** (shipbuilding, offshore construction) – 22 % of inbound raw material imports.
- **Food & beverage** (seafood processing, sake breweries) – 16 % of total cargo tonnage.
### National Strategic Role
Within Japan’s **“Maritime Strategic Plan (MSP) 2025‑2035”**, Nagasaki is designated as a **“Secondary International Hub”**, complementing larger ports at Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kobe. Its location offers a shorter sea‑lane to the **East Asian Economic Corridor** (South Korea, China, Taiwan) and provides a **reliable alternative** during congestion or natural‑disaster events affecting the Pacific western coast.
### Employment & Innovation
The port directly employs **≈ 9,800** workers across stevedoring, logistics, and ancillary services, with an additional **≈ 24,000** jobs generated indirectly through supply‑chain activities. Ongoing collaborations with **Nagasaki University** and the **Japan Institute of Shipping and Transport** foster R&D in port automation, cyber‑security, and maritime decarbonization.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Trade Route | Approx. Distance | Vessel Types | Frequency |
|-------------|-----------------|--------------|-----------|
| **Nagasaki – Shanghai** | 800 nm | 20‑25 kt container ships | 3 × weekly |
| **Nagasaki – Busan** | 660 nm | Ro‑Ro & container vessels | 2 × daily |
| **Nagasaki – Los Angeles** | 5,800 nm | 12 kt ULCS (U.S. West Coast) | 1 × weekly |
| **Nagasaki – Singapore** | 2,100 nm | Bulk carriers, LPG | 4 × weekly |
| **Nagasaki – Jakarta** | 2,300 nm | Container & project cargo | 3 × weekly |
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Share of Throughput | Typical Vessel |
|----------------|----------------------|----------------|
| **Automotive & Parts** | 35 % (TEU) | 16 k TEU container ships |
| **Iron Ore & Coal** | 28 % (Mt) | 200 kt bulk carriers |
| **Chemicals (LPG, PET)** | 12 % (Mt) | 60 kt VLCC & MR |
| **Agricultural Products (Rice, Seafood)** | 9 % (Mt) | 8 k TEU reefer containers |
| **Project Cargo / Heavy Machinery** | 6 % (Units) | 60 kt RORO & Heavy Lift |
| **Other General Cargo** | 10 % (Mt) | Mixed feeder vessels |
The port’s **container throughput** remains heavily weighted toward **high‑value manufactured goods** destined for Asian and North American markets, while its **bulk terminals** serve the domestic steel and power sectors, importing iron ore from Australia and coal from Indonesia.
### Emerging Trade Patterns
With the **Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)** fully operational, Nagasaki is experiencing a **15 % increase in intra‑ASEAN cargo** (2022‑2024), especially in **electronics components** and **medical equipment**. Simultaneously, demand for **green hydrogen** imports via liquefied carriers is being evaluated, positioning Nagasaki as a potential entry point for Japan’s future low‑carbon energy supply chain.
### Connectivity to Global Logistics Networks
Nagasaki’s integration with **the Trans‑Pacific Maritime Network (TPMN)** and **the East Asian Sea Lanes (EASL)** is facilitated by its participation in the **Port Community System (PCS)**, a digital platform that aligns customs, shipping lines, and logistics providers in real time. This system enables **single‑window clearance**, reducing vessel turnaround from the regional average of 30 hours to **≈ 22 hours**.
> For further technical specifications and maritime statistics, consult the **MLIT Port Statistics Database** (https://www.mlit.go.jp/port/).
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**Keywords:** Nagasaki Port, JPNGS, UN/LOCODE, Japan maritime, container terminal, bulk terminal, Ro‑Ro, Kyushu logistics, East Asian trade routes, maritime infrastructure, green port initiatives.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPNGS
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Nagasaki
Latitude
32.750286
Longitude
129.877667
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Nagasaki?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Nagasaki is JPNGS.
Where is Port of Nagasaki located?
The Port of Nagasaki is located in Japan, Nagasaki. Its coordinates are 32.7503°N, 129.8777°E.
What time zone is Port of Nagasaki in?
Port of Nagasaki 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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