UN/LOCODE: JPOIT📍 Japan
Port of Oita (UN/LOCODE JPOIT)
❖ Coordinates: 33.2396°N, 131.6093°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPOIT
## About the Port
The **Port of Oita** (UN/LOCODE: **JPOIT**) is a medium‑sized, deep‑water gateway located on the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan. Situated at **33.2396° N, 131.6093° E** in the prefecture of Ōita, the harbor sits within the **Asia/Tokyo (UTC+9)** time zone and serves as a critical node for both domestic coastal traffic and international container, bulk, and car ferry services.
Oita’s natural, semi‑sheltered inlet offers a draft of up to **13 m (≈42 ft)**, enabling the berthing of vessels up to **200 000 DWT**. The port is administered by the **Oita Prefectural Port Authority** (Ōita‑ken Kōsen Kyōkai) under the overarching framework of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Its strategic location—approximately 250 km southeast of Kitakyushu and 850 km southwest of Tokyo—makes it a natural conduit for trade between the Korean Peninsula, China’s eastern seaboard, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
> **SEO keywords**: Port of Oita, Oita maritime terminal, Japanese west‑pacific gateway, JPOIT, Ōita logistics hub
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
The modern incarnation of Oita Port traces back to the **Meiji era**, when the Japanese government embarked on a nationwide program to modernize coastal facilities. Initial dredging and the construction of a small wooden pier in **1902** opened the harbor to domestic steamers transporting coal and timber from the abundant forests of Ōita Prefecture.
### Post‑War Expansion (1950‑1980)
Following World War II, the United States Occupation Authority identified Oita as a potential site for a logistics base supporting the reconstruction of Kyushu’s industrial sector. In **1955**, the port underwent a major civil‑engineered expansion, including the installation of a **crane‑equipped cargo terminal** and the deepening of the main channel to **10 m**. The first container handling facilities were introduced in **1972**, positioning Oita among the early adopters of containerization in western Japan.
### Recent Modernization (1990‑Present)
The 1990s saw the construction of the **Oita International Container Terminal (OICT)**, a 650‑meter quay equipped with state‑of‑the‑art rail‑linkage and automated gantry cranes. A 2007 **mega‑dredging project** increased the channel depth to **13 m**, allowing ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) to call at the port. In **2018**, the port authority launched a digital freight‑forwarding platform integrated with the **Japan Port and Harbour Association (JPA)**, streamlining customs clearance and real‑time cargo tracking.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
| Facility | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Vessel Type |
|----------|------------|----------------|--------------|
| General Cargo Quay | 420 | 13 | Bulk carriers, general cargo |
| Container Terminal (OICT) | 650 | 13 | Container ships up to 12 000 TEU |
| Ro‑Ro / Car Ferry Slip | 280 | 11 | Roll‑on‑roll‑off vessels, passenger ferries |
| Offshore LNG Terminal | — | 12 | LNG carriers (transshipment) |
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **4 x Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes** (45 m outreach, 65 t lift)
- **12 x Mobile harbor cranes** (30 t lift)
- **Automated guided vehicle (AGV) system** for intra‑terminal container movement
- **2 x Grain elevators** (capacity 4 000 t/day)
### Storage & Intermodal Connections
- **Open‑yard space**: 1.2 million m² for bulk and project cargo
- **Covered warehousing**: 180 000 m², climate‑controlled for perishables and high‑value goods
- **Rail link**: Direct connection to the **JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line**, enabling 30 km/h container train service to the Kansai freight hub in Osaka.
- **Road network**: Proximity to **Expressway 3 (Kyushu Expressway)** and **National Route 10**, facilitating seamless truck distribution across Kyushu.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Quarantine**: On‑site Customs Inspection Center staffed by the Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau.
- **Ship repair yard**: 10‑berth slipway with a 9 000 t capacity dry dock.
- **Pilotage & Towage**: 24‑hour pilot service and a fleet of two ocean‑class tugs (max bollard pull 60 t).
- **Environmental compliance**: Ballast water treatment plant and an on‑site oil spill response unit complying with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL conventions.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
Oita Port handles **≈ 8 million tonnes** of cargo annually, contributing an estimated **¥ 150 billion** in fiscal revenue to Ōita Prefecture. The port underpins three primary economic clusters:
1. **Manufacturing & Heavy Industry** – Steel, automobile components, and petrochemical plants in the neighboring industrial parks rely on bulk imports of iron ore, coal, and LPG.
2. **Agriculture & Food Processing** – The prefecture’s renowned **beech nut and citrus** exports are processed through the port’s refrigerated facilities, reaching markets in South Korea and the United States.
3. **Tourism & Transportation** – The **Ōita Hot‑Spring Corridor** attracts million‑plus visitors annually; the port’s Ro‑Ro services link to ferry routes for domestic cruise tourism.
### Employment & Skills Development
The port directly employs **≈ 3 500** workers across cargo handling, logistics, and ancillary services, while indirect employment exceeds **15 000** in related sectors such as warehousing, trucking, and shipbuilding. The Oita Prefectural Port Authority runs a **Maritime Skills Academy**, delivering certified training in crane operation, customs brokerage, and maritime safety, aligning with Japan’s **“Society 5.0”** automation agenda.
### Contribution to National Trade Balance
Because Oita handles a proportion of Japan’s **automotive parts exports** to Southeast Asia and **marine‑related imports** (e.g., bulk chemicals), it plays a modest yet strategic role in Japan’s trade balance. The port’s ability to accommodate ULCVs reduces per‑ton logistics costs, enhancing the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturers on the global stage.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Main Vessel Types | Frequency (monthly) |
|----------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
| **Shanghai, China** | Panamax container ships | 12 |
| **Busan, South Korea** | Ro‑Ro ferries, feeder vessels | 8 |
| **Port of Los Angeles, USA** | ULCV container ships | 4 |
| **Singapore** | Feeder‑size container vessels | 6 |
| **Kobe, Japan** (domestic) | Coastal bulk carriers, car ferries | 20 |
The port’s **container throughput** is dominated by **electronics, automotive parts, and high‑tech machinery**, while bulk cargo includes **coke, limestone, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)**. **Roll‑on‑roll‑off traffic** carries **new‑car shipments** from Japanese manufacturers to Asian markets, leveraging the port’s dedicated Ro‑Ro slip.
### Emerging Cargo Segments
- **Renewable Energy Equipment** – With Japan’s push for offshore wind farms, Oita has begun receiving **wind‑turbine components** from European manufacturers via feeder ships.
- **Cold‑Chain Food Exports** – Expansion of the refrigerated warehouse capacity supports higher volumes of **premium seafood** (e.g., Oita’s famed *katsuobushi*) destined for the United States and Europe.
### Strategic Initiatives
The Oita Prefectural Port Authority participates in the **“East Asian Marine Corridor”** pilot program, a trilateral cooperation framework with South Korea and China aimed at harmonizing customs procedures and adopting **blockchain‑based cargo documentation**. This initiative is expected to reduce dwell time by **15 %**, improve supply‑chain transparency, and attract additional trans‑Pacific liner services.
For further technical specifications and schedule data, consult the **Japan Port and Harbour Association (JPA)** database: https://www.japanport.org.
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**Conclusion**
The Port of Oita stands as a resilient, modern maritime hub that blends deep‑water capabilities with advanced logistics infrastructure. Its strategic location, diversified cargo handling capacity, and ongoing digital transformation position it as a vital conduit for Japan’s western Pacific trade, supporting regional industry, tourism, and the broader national economy.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPOIT
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Ôita [Oita]
Latitude
33.239558
Longitude
131.609272
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Oita?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Oita is JPOIT.
Where is Port of Oita located?
The Port of Oita is located in Japan, Ôita [Oita]. Its coordinates are 33.2396°N, 131.6093°E.
What time zone is Port of Oita in?
Port of Oita operates in the Asia/Tokyo time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.16 m
Wave Direction129°
Swell Height0.14 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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