UN/LOCODE: JPSHS📍 Japan

Port of Shimonoseki (UN/LOCODE JPSHS)

❖ Coordinates: 33.9578°N, 130.9415°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPSHS

## About the Port The Port of Shimonoseki (UN/LOCODE: JPSHS) is a strategically positioned, multi-functional maritime hub located at the western tip of Honshu Island within Yamaguchi Prefecture (historically transcribed as Yamaguti), Japan. Its geographic coordinates are 33.9578307° N latitude and 130.941459° E longitude, placing it squarely on the southern shore of the Kanmon Strait (Kammon-kaikyō). This narrow waterway, approximately 600–1,200 meters wide, is the sole natural connection between the Seto Inland Sea (east) and the Tsushima Strait / Sea of Japan (west), making the port a compulsory transit point for coastal and international vessels avoiding the longer Pacific circumnavigation. Operating within the Asia/Tokyo timezone (UTC+09:00), the harbor complex spans roughly 1,200 hectares of water and land area, featuring a protected outer harbor and an inner fishing basin. According to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) [https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/marine/ports/index.html], Shimonoseki holds the designation of a Major Port (重要港湾) and is further recognized as a Specific Important Port for fishery logistics. The port accommodates a diverse vessel mix: coastal freighters, international RORO ferries, cruise ships up to 300 meters LOA, and one of Japan’s largest fishing fleets. Its annual cargo throughput consistently exceeds 15 million tonnes, while passenger movements surpass 2.5 million, underscoring its dual commercial and transportation roles. ## History The maritime heritage of Shimonoseki extends over a millennium. In the Heian period, the locale was known as Akamagaseki, a fortified strait where the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura decided the Genpei War. During the Muromachi and Edo periods, the town operated as a major kitamaebune (north-bound ship) waystation, facilitating the exchange of rice, sake, and raw silk between Osaka and Hokkaido. The modern port took shape after the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki, which, while political, catalyzed infrastructure investment in the city. In the early 20th century, the Imperial Japanese Navy established a coaling station and torpedo depot adjacent to the commercial wharves. Wartime bombing in 1945 devastated facilities, but the subsequent Occupation-era rebuild prioritized breakwater extension and dredging to -10 meters. The 1958 opening of the Kanmon Roadway Tunnel and the 1975 Shin-Kanmon Rail Tunnel integrated the port physically with Kyushu, yet maritime trade remained cheaper for bulk. The establishment of the Shimonoseki Fishing Port in 1965 transformed the local economy; today it is synonymous with bluefin tuna auctions and fugu processing. International ferry linkages to Busan commenced in 1970, later augmented by containerized coastal feeders. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The port is segmented into distinct operational zones: the Hon-ko (Main) commercial district, the Fukushima bulk terminal, the Mizuho international passenger pier, and the dedicated Shimonoseki Fishery Port. Combined quay length exceeds 8,500 meters, with alongside depths from -4.5 m (fishery) to -12.0 m (deep-sea general cargo). The approach channel is maintained at a least depth of 11 meters, aided by VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) monitoring through the Kanmon Traffic Center. ### Cargo Handling General cargo berths are equipped with 40-tonne portal cranes, reach-stackers, and 20,000 m² of covered warehouses. A dedicated neo-bulk apron handles steel coils and timber bundles. Reefer clusters with 300 plug points support frozen tuna exports. ### Passenger and RORO Terminals The Mizuho terminal provides full CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) clearance for the Kampu Ferry and other international services. Domestic RORO ferries to Kitakyushu and the Suo-nada islands operate hourly during peak, utilizing bow-and-stern ramps capable of processing 200 trucks per hour. ### Fishery Port The fishery basin includes three auction halls, a 5,000-tonne ice plant, and on-site value-added processing. It is consistently ranked among the top three Japanese ports by wholesale fish value. Technical standards and bathymetric surveys are published by the Port and Airport Research Institute [https://www.pari.go.jp/en/]. ## Economic Importance Shimonoseki is the logistical keystone of Yamaguchi Prefecture, generating an estimated ¥320 billion ($2.3 billion) in direct and induced economic output annually. The port sustains over 12,000 jobs in stevedoring, fisheries, and ancillary services. Its proximity to the Sanyo Expressway and the Shinkansen permits seamless multimodal distribution to the Osaka-Kobe megalopolis within six hours. The fishery wholesale market alone records yearly transactions surpassing ¥55 billion, bolstering the national supply of sashimi-grade tuna. Additionally, the port acts as a relief valve for the congested Kobe and Osaka container terminals; coastal feeder vessels transship non-time-critical cargo via Shimonoseki, reducing mainline port dwell times. Rising cruise tourism—averaging 80 calls per season—further diversifies revenue, with passengers visiting the famous Karato Market and Kanmon bridges. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Shimonoseki’s route network exploits its bifunctional position. Vessels heading west transit the Kanmon Strait into the Sea of Japan, linking to Vladivostok, Busan, Shanghai, and Qingdao on weekly schedules. Eastbound, the Seto Inland Sea corridor connects to Hiroshima, Kobe, and Osaka, where cargo interfaces with trans-Pacific alliances. Domestic coastal services radiate to Hokkaido and Kyushu. ### Dominant Cargo Streams - **High-value fisheries**: Bluefin tuna, squid, mackerel, and pufferfish, largely air- and reefer-exported to Asian metropolises. - **Industrial goods**: Automotive components from regional plants, machinery, and electronics. - **Bulk and neo-bulk**: Cement, clinker, aggregates, and imported lumber from North America via transshipment. - **Passenger & RORO**: Over 2.5 million travelers and 800,000 vehicles annually. The Port of Shimonoseki (JPSHS) thus embodies a resilient synthesis of historical legacy, advanced infrastructure, and pivotal geographic leverage in Northeast Asian maritime commerce.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPSHS

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]

Latitude

33.957831

Longitude

130.941459

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Shimonoseki?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Shimonoseki is JPSHS.

Where is Port of Shimonoseki located?

The Port of Shimonoseki is located in Japan, Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]. Its coordinates are 33.9578°N, 130.9415°E.

What time zone is Port of Shimonoseki in?

Port of Shimonoseki 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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