UN/LOCODE: JPTKS📍 Japan
Port of Tokushima (UN/LOCODE JPTKS)
❖ Coordinates: 34.0703°N, 134.5548°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPTKS
## About the Port
**Port of Tokushima** (UN/LOCODE: **JPTKS**) lies at **34.0702703 °N, 134.5548438 °E** on the eastern coastline of Shikoku, Japan. Administered by the Tokushima Prefectural Government, the harbor operates within the **Asia/Tokyo** time zone (UTC +9). Tokushima serves as a strategic gateway to the Pacific side of the Seto Inland Sea, linking the island of Shikoku with the Kinki and Kanto economic zones. The port’s natural deep‑water inlet, protected by a semi‑circular headland, allows berthing of vessels up to **12 m draft** without extensive dredging, making it suitable for both bulk carriers and container ships under 5 000 TEU.
Key data points:
| Item | Detail |
|------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | JPTKS |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 34.0702703 N / 134.5548438 E |
| **Time Zone** | Asia/Tokyo (UTC +9) |
| **Port Authority** | Tokushima Prefectural Port Office |
| **Primary Navigation Channel** | 12 m depth, 300 m width |
The port’s catchment area encompasses the **Tokushima Prefecture**, a region renowned for its agricultural output (particularly *indigo* and *mandarin oranges*) and vibrant fisheries. Its proximity to the **Kansai International Airport** (≈ 150 km) and a network of expressways (e.g., **Expressway 55**) supports multimodal logistics, reinforcing Tokushima’s role in Japan’s domestic supply chain.
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## History
### Early Development (Edo to Meiji Era)
Tokushima’s maritime heritage dates to the **Edo period**, when the **Awa Domain** used the harbor for rice exports and coastal navigation. The natural embayment facilitated the *sankin‑kōtai* system, allowing daimyōs to travel between Edo and their home province.
### Modernization (Late 19th–Early 20th Century)
Following the **Meiji Restoration**, the Tokushima Port Development Act (1889) authorized the construction of a stone breakwater and the first cargo wharf. By 1912, a railway link to the **Tokushima Main Line** enabled seamless transfer of goods between rail and sea, positioning the port as a regional hub for timber and coal.
### Post‑War Expansion (1950s–1980s)
The **Japan Port and Harbor Law** (1951) spurred a series of upgrades: a 4‑berth container terminal (1975), a dedicated **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** pier (1979), and hydro‑electric power installations that supplied the port’s growing industrial park. The 1984‑era **Tokushima International Trade Center** was established to promote export‑import liaison services.
### Recent Reforms (1990s–Present)
In the 1990s, the port embraced the **“Smart Port”** concept, installing automated gate systems, real‑time vessel traffic services (VTS), and an integrated customs clearance platform compliant with the **AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)** program. A 2018 master plan introduced a **green quay** equipped with shore‑side electricity (cold ironing) to reduce ship emissions, aligning Tokushima with Japan’s maritime decarbonization targets.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminal
- **Berths:** 3 deep‑water berths (12 m draft) with gantry cranes ranging from 30 t to 45 t lifting capacity.
- **Capacity:** Approximately **250 000 TEU** per annum (steady‑state) with a peak handling rate of **600 TEU/day**.
- **Equipment:** Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), RFID‑enabled yard cranes, and a port community system (PCS) that integrates customs, shipping lines, and freight forwarders.
### Bulk & General Cargo
- **Grain & Feed Terminal:** Two silos (total 30 000 t) equipped with high‑speed conveyors for soy, corn, and rice imports.
- **Petroleum Jetty:** Dedicated berth with dual 5 000 t storage tanks for LPG and diesel, supporting offshore platforms in the Pacific.
- **Timber & Steel Yards:** Open‑air storage covering 15 000 m², serviced by mobile cranes up to 80 t.
### Ro‑Ro & Vehicle Handling
- **Ro‑Ro Pier:** 250 m length, accommodating up to 12 m draft vessels.
- **Vehicle Yard:** 20 000 m² with automated lane guidance, allowing rapid loading of automobiles, heavy machinery, and construction equipment.
### Support Services
- **Ship Repair & Dry Dock:** A 10 000 t dry dock equipped for hull plating, propeller overhauls, and marine engineering.
- **Cold Ironing (Shore Power):** 6 000 kW shore‑side electricity supply for vessels calling at berth 2, reducing bunker fuel consumption while docked.
- **Logistics Parks:** Adjacent **Tokushima Logistics Zone** offers 120 000 m² of warehousing, cold storage, and bonded‑area facilities.
For a full technical specification, see the **Japan Port and Harbor Organization** database.
Japan Port and Harbor Organization – Tokushima Port Profile↗
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional GDP Contribution
Tokushima’s port accounts for roughly **8 %** of the prefecture’s gross domestic product (GDP). The maritime sector directly employs **≈ 4 500** workers, while ancillary services (logistics, customs brokerage, marine engineering) generate an additional **≈ 12 000** jobs.
### Industry Linkages
- **Agriculture:** Export of citrus fruits (mandarin oranges) and specialty herbs utilizes refrigerated containers, supporting an annual export value of **¥ 3.2 billion**.
- **Manufacturing:** The **Tokushima Industrial Park** houses automotive parts manufacturers and ship‑building firms that rely on the port for inbound raw materials (aluminum, steel) and outbound finished goods.
- **Fisheries:** The adjacent **Tokushima Fishery Harbor** processes **≈ 150 000 t** of marine catch per year, with frozen and fresh shipments dispatched via the cold‑chain facilities at the port.
### International Trade Impact
Tokushima’s cargo profile aligns with Japan’s strategic trade objectives: **energy security** (LPG imports), **food self‑sufficiency** (grain and soy imports), and **export diversification** (automotive components to Southeast Asia). The port’s participation in the **ASEAN‑Japan Free Trade Area (AJFTA)** has increased container throughput by **12 %** since 2015.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Corridors
- **Kansai Loop:** Frequent liner services to **Osaka (Kansai), Kobe, and Osaka Port** (≈ 1–2 days transit).
- **Kanto Axis:** Direct roll‑on/roll‑off connections to **Tokyo** and **Chiba**, supporting vehicle and machinery movement.
### International Connections
| Destination | Primary Vessel Type | Frequency (2023) |
|------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Shanghai, China | Container feeder | 4 / month |
| Busan, South Korea | Container feeder | 3 / month |
| Taipei, Taiwan | Ro‑Ro & Container | 2 / month |
| Singapore | Bulk carrier (LPG) | 1 / month |
| Vladivostok, Russia | General cargo | 1 / quarter |
### Major Cargo Commodities
| Commodity | Type | Approx. Annual Volume |
|-----------|------|-----------------------|
| **Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)** | Bulk | 45 000 t |
| **Soybeans & Corn** | Grain | 28 000 t |
| **Automotive Parts** | Container | 150 000 TEU |
| **Timber & Plywood** | General cargo | 90 000 t |
| **Fresh & Frozen Fish** | Refrigerated | 12 000 t |
| **Indigo‑derived Textiles** | Container | 5 000 TEU |
The port’s **vessel traffic service (VTS)** records an average **38** vessel calls per month, with a **median vessel size of 7 000 GT**. Seasonal peaks correspond to the spring harvest (agricultural exports) and the autumn fishing season (seafood shipments).
### Emerging Opportunities
- **Renewable Energy Components:** Tokushima’s proximity to offshore wind farms in the Pacific makes the port a potential hub for turbine blade transport.
- **Digital Trade:** Integration of blockchain‑based cargo tracking is under a pilot program with the **Japan Customs** agency, aiming to reduce clearance times by **20 %**.
For the latest UN/LOCODE information and verification, consult the UN/CEFACT database.
UN/LOCODE – JPTKS Detail Page↗
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPTKS
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Tokusima [Tokushima]
Latitude
34.070270
Longitude
134.554844
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tokushima?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tokushima is JPTKS.
Where is Port of Tokushima located?
The Port of Tokushima is located in Japan, Tokusima [Tokushima]. Its coordinates are 34.0703°N, 134.5548°E.
What time zone is Port of Tokushima in?
Port of Tokushima 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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