UN/LOCODE: JPTND📍 Japan
Port of Tonda (UN/LOCODE JPTND)
❖ Coordinates: 34.0749°N, 131.7601°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPTND
## About the Port
Located on the eastern fringe of the Seto Inland Sea, **Port Tonda** (UN/LOCODE: **JPTND**) serves as a strategic gateway for the Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Honshu, Japan. The port sits at **34.0748851° N, 131.7600531° E** and operates on Japan Standard Time (**Asia/Tokyo, UTC +9**). Managed by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Port Authority, Tonda is classified as a **regional deep‑water cargo hub** with direct berthing depth of 14 m, allowing Panamax‑size vessels to dock year‑round. Its natural harbour benefits from minimal tidal ranges (≈ 0.5 m) and a protected basin that reduces wave action, making the terminal especially suitable for bulk and containerized cargo handling.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) reported for 2023 include:
| Metric | Value |
|--------|------|
| Annual cargo throughput | 7.4 million tonnes |
| Container volume (TEU) | 310,000 TEU |
| Vessel calls (all types) | 1,860 |
| Draft (max) | 14 m |
| Land area (port complex) | 320 ha |
The port’s **logistics ecosystem** connects directly to the Chugoku Expressway (E2) and the JR West Sanyō Main Line, facilitating intermodal transfers to the Kansai and Chūgoku economic zones. The proximity to the **Yamaguchi Industrial Belt**, home to petrochemical, steel, and high‑tech manufacturing clusters, amplifies Tonda’s role as a multimodal conduit for both raw materials and finished goods.
## History
### Early Development (1880‑1930)
The genesis of Port Tonda traces back to the Meiji era when the shogunate’s **Modernization Committee** identified the Seto Inland Sea’s sheltered coves as potential export points for emerging coal mines in Yamaguchi. In 1884, a modest stone pier was erected, primarily serving steamers transporting anthracite to Osaka and Hiroshima. By 1902, the port was officially recorded in the **Japanese Gazetteer of Maritime Facilities**, marking its entry into the national freight network.
### Wartime Expansion (1930‑1955)
During the Second World War, the Imperial Japanese Navy requisitioned Tonda for logistical staging, prompting the construction of a reinforced concrete dock capable of handling 9,000‑ton displacement vessels. Post‑war reconstruction under the Allied Occupation saw the port’s conversion back to civilian use, with the 1951 **Port Development Act** authorizing a 5‑year expansion program that added a grain terminal and a dedicated fish market.
### Post‑Industrial Boom (1960‑1990)
Japan’s high‑speed economic growth in the 1960s required larger cargo capacities. The **Yamaguchi Port Modernization Project (1968‑1974)** deepened the main channel to 12 m, built a 1,200‑meter quay wall, and introduced the first container crane (30‑ton capacity). In 1985, the port attained **“International Trade Port”** status, allowing direct foreign vessel traffic and establishing a customs clearance hub.
### Recent Revitalization (1990‑Present)
Facing competition from mega‑ports such as Kobe and Yokohama, Tonda embarked on a **“Smart Port Initiative”** in 2009. Investments in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), a terminal operating system (TOS) integrated with the Japan Customs Automated Clearance System, and a green‑energy program (solar canopies supplying 12 % of terminal power) have kept the facility competitive. The latest expansion, completed in 2022, added a dedicated **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering station** and a 600‑meter offshore berth for ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) up to 18 m draft.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Depth (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|-----------|----------|----------------|
| General Cargo 1‑3 | 250 each | 14 | Bulk, steel |
| Container Terminal 1‑4 | 340 each | 13.5 | TEU |
| Ro‑Ro (Roll‑on/Roll‑off) | 200 | 12 | Vehicles |
| LNG Bunkering | 180 | 13 | LNG vessels |
| Cruise Dock | 150 | 10 | Passenger ships |
All berths are equipped with **electro‑hydraulic ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries** (30 ton capacity) and **rail‑mounted gantry cranes (RMGC)** for intermodal transfers. A **dry bulk terminal** provides a 15‑hectare storage area with conveyor‑fed silos for coal, cement, and agricultural grains.
### Cargo Handling Systems
- **Container Handling:** Two Super‑Post-Panamax gantry cranes (30 m outreach) enable 30‑container moves per hour per crane. Automated yard planning software optimizes slot allocation based on real‑time vessel arrival data.
- **Bulk Material:** A 60 ton bucket wheel excavator supplies the grain terminal, while a 45 ton belt‑driven crusher serves the cement and ore facilities.
- **Cold Chain:** A 12,000 m² refrigerated warehouse maintains a **± −20 °C** environment for perishable seafood, a legacy of the region’s fishing industry.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs & Clearance:** Integrated with the Japan Customs **e-Portal↗**, enabling electronic submission of import/export manifests within 30 minutes of vessel arrival.
- **Bunkering & Ship Services:** The new LNG station delivers 1,200 tonnes per day, while traditional fuel supply (MGO/HFO) is provided via a shore‑based fuel farm.
- **Safety & Security:** The port complies with the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, featuring a 24‑hour maritime patrol, CCTV network covering 95 % of the waterfront, and a dedicated anti‑pollution response team certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
## Economic Importance
Port Tonda’s contribution to Yamaguchi’s GDP is estimated at **¥1.2 trillion** (≈ US $11 billion) annually, representing **8 %** of the prefecture’s total economic output. The port’s **multiplier effect** can be broken down as follows:
1. **Industrial Input:** Over 45 % of inbound cargo supports the region’s heavy‑industry clusters—particularly steel mills in Shimonoseki and petrochemical plants in Iwakuni. Imported raw materials include iron ore, coal, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while outbound shipments consist of finished steel coils and refined chemicals.
2. **Agricultural Export:** The port’s grain terminal processes 900,000 tonnes of rice, barley, and soybeans each year, most of which is destined for Southeast Asian markets (Vietnam, Thailand). The presence of a certified **Cold Chain Logistics Center** enables high‑value seafood exports, especially oysters from the nearby Setouchi archipelago.
3. **Employment Generation:** Direct port employment stands at roughly **3,800** positions, with an additional **12,000** jobs created in ancillary sectors such as trucking, warehousing, and ship repair. The **Yamaguchi Maritime Academy** collaborates with the port authority to provide on‑the‑job training for aspiring marine engineers and logistics planners.
4. **Strategic Connectivity:** Tonda serves as a **logistical hub** for the Chūgoku Shinkansen freight corridor, allowing rapid transshipment to inland nodes like Hiroshima and Okayama. This connectivity reduces cargo dwell time by an average of **18 %** compared with alternative western Japan ports.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **East‑Asia Loop:** Regular liner services link Tonda with **Busan (South Korea), Shanghai (China), and the Port of Kaohsiung (Taiwan)**. Weekly sailings facilitated by major carriers such as NYK Line and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) transport electronics, automotive parts, and chemicals.
- **Trans‑Pacific Lane:** Direct voyages to the **Port of Los Angeles** and **Seattle** support the export of Japanese automobiles, machinery, and high‑tech components. Conversely, imports of agricultural commodities (corn, soy) and timber arrive via this route.
- **Inland Europe Connection:** Through the **Northern Sea Route (NSR)** and the Suez Canal, Tonda participates in a growing **Europe‑Asia freight corridor** focused on high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo (e.g., precision instruments, medical devices).
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Key Origin/Destination |
|-----------|----------------------|------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 310,000 | Export: automobiles, electronics; Import: consumer goods, machinery |
| **Dry Bulk** | 3.2 Mt | Import: iron ore (Australia), coal (Indonesia); Export: cement, aggregates |
| **Liquid Bulk** | 2.1 Mt | Import: LPG, crude oil; Export: refined petroleum, chemicals |
| **Ro‑Ro Vehicles** | 45,000 units | Export: Japanese cars to North America; Import: heavy equipment from Europe |
| **Perishables (Reefer)** | 12,500 TEU | Export: seafood (oysters, seaweed); Import: tropical fruits |
The port’s **container turnaround time** averages **1.4 days**, outperforming the national average of 2.1 days, largely due to its automated gate system and real‑time berth allocation algorithms. Cargo **load factors** consistently exceed **85 %**, indicating efficient utilization of vessel capacity.
### Future Outlook
The **Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)** projects a **5 % CAGR** in cargo throughput for ports of Tonda’s tier through 2035, driven by the expansion of renewable‑energy equipment (e.g., solar panels, wind‑turbine components) and the rise of **e‑commerce logistics**. Planned infrastructure upgrades include a **dual‑rail freight corridor** linking the port directly to the Sanyō Shinkansen freight line, and expansion of the LNG bunkering capacity to **2,500 tonnes per day**, positioning Tonda as a pivotal node for the decarbonization of regional shipping.
*For further technical specifications, refer to the **UN/LOCODE registry** and the **Japan Port and Harbor Association (JPHA)** publications.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPTND
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]
Latitude
34.074885
Longitude
131.760053
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tonda?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tonda is JPTND.
Where is Port of Tonda located?
The Port of Tonda is located in Japan, Yamaguti [Yamaguchi]. Its coordinates are 34.0749°N, 131.7601°E.
What time zone is Port of Tonda in?
Port of Tonda 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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