UN/LOCODE: JPTOY📍 Japan

Port of Toyama (UN/LOCODE JPTOY)

❖ Coordinates: 36.6960°N, 137.2137°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPTOY

## About the Port Toyama Port (UN/LOCODE: **JPTOY**) sits on the northern coast of the **Sea of Japan** in the prefecture of Toyama, Japan (36.6959518 N, 137.2136768 E). Operating under the **Asia/Tokyo** time zone (UTC +9), the port serves as a strategic gateway for the Hokuriku region, linking the industrial belt of central Japan with Asian inland markets and the broader Pacific trade system. Managed by the **Toyama Port Authority**, the facility is integrated into Japan’s national logistics framework and is routinely featured in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) port performance tables. Its geographical position—approximately 230 km north of Nagoya and 340 km west of Tokyo—offers a low‑draft, ice‑free harbor that supports both bulk and containerized cargo, as well as specialized handling of timber, chemicals, and automobile components. Key identifiers that maritime professionals use when filing communications or customs paperwork include the **UN/LOCODE JPTOY**, the **Japanese port code 1500**, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) terminal identification “TYM”. The port’s digital traffic management system complies with the IMO’s **e-Navigation** standards, allowing real‑time vessel tracking through platforms such as the **Ship Tracking Portal** maintained by the Japan Coast Guard. --- ## History Toyama’s maritime heritage dates back to the **Edo period**, when the shallow bays of the region were used for **rice shipment** to Kyoto via the Hokuriku coastal route. The modern port was officially inaugurated in **1910** under the Meiji government’s “**Industrial Port Development Act**,” aiming to stimulate the burgeoning steel and textile sectors of the Hokuriku plain. During the **World War II** era, Toyama Port was requisitioned as a naval supply hub, hosting a modest fleet of auxiliary vessels and facilitating the transport of raw materials to inland factories. Post‑war reconstruction, driven by the Japanese Economic Miracle, saw a rapid expansion of dockside infrastructure. The 1960s introduced the first **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) berths**, catering to the growing automobile assembly lines in nearby Nagoya. A pivotal moment occurred in **1992** when the port was designated a **“Special Economic Zone”** under the **Special Zones for Structural Reform** policy, encouraging foreign direct investment and the establishment of a free‑trade logistics zone. This status spurred the development of modern container terminals and a deep‑water quay capable of handling vessels up to **80,000 DWT**. In recent years, the port has embraced **green shipping initiatives**. The **Toyama Port Green Corridor Project**, launched in 2018, retrofitted shore‑power facilities to supply electricity to berthed vessels, reducing bunker fuel consumption by an estimated **15 %** per annum. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Draft - **General Cargo Berths**: 5 berths with a **max draft of 12 m**, suitable for bulk carriers, timber ships, and small container vessels. - **Container Terminal**: 2 deep‑water berths (Berth 1 & 2) with a **15 m draft**, each equipped with **20‑year‑old Super‑Post‑Piling** crane frames capable of handling **40‑tonne outreach**. - **Ro‑Ro Facilities**: 3 dedicated ramps servicing passenger ferries and vehicle transport, supporting a **turnaround time of less than 2 hours** per vessel. ### Handling Equipment - **4 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes** (35 m outreach) and **2 mobile cranes** (30 t capacity) for container operations. - **30 tonne–70 tonne** forklifts and **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** for intra‑terminal logistics. - **High‑capacity grain elevators** (5 Mt/year) and **steel coil hoists** (200 t capacity) for bulk commodities. ### Storage & Warehousing - **6 ha** of covered warehousing, featuring **temperature‑controlled zones** for perishable foods and chemicals. - **12 ha** of open‑air storage, predominantly used for timber logs, steel plates, and construction aggregates. ### Connectivity - Direct access to the **Hokuriku Expressway (E8)** and the **Jōetsu Shinkansen** freight corridor, facilitating rapid inland distribution. - A **1,200 m rail spur** links the port to the **Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight)** network, enabling seamless 10‑carriage unit trains to the Nagoya and Osaka hinterlands. ### Digital & Environmental Systems - Integrated **Port Community System (PCS)** that aligns customs, shipping lines, and logistics providers under a single data exchange protocol. - **Marine renewable energy pilot**: a 500 kW tidal turbine installed near the mouth of the Jōgan River, supplying a portion of the port’s electrical demand. For technical specifications and live updates, consult the official Toyama Port Authority portal: Toyama Port Authority – Infrastructure↗. --- ## Economic Importance Toyama Port contributes significantly to **regional GDP**, accounting for roughly **4 % of Toyama Prefecture’s total industrial output** (≈ ¥450 billion in 2023). Its strategic position has fostered a diversified cargo mix: | Commodity | 2022 Throughput | Share of Total | |-----------|------------------|----------------| | Containerized goods (TEU) | 1.2 million TEU | 28 % | | Bulk (grain, coal, minerals) | 9.5 Mt | 32 % | | Timber & wood products | 4.3 Mt | 12 % | | Automobiles & parts | 2.1 Mt | 8 % | | Chemicals & petrochemicals | 1.8 Mt | 7 % | | Others (project cargo, perishables) | 2.0 Mt | 13 % | The port’s **free‑trade zone** enables duty‑exempt storage for up to **180 days**, attracting multinational manufacturers seeking a cost‑effective trans‑shipment hub. Companies such as **Toyota Motor Corporation** and **Nippon Steel** operate dedicated logistics centers adjacent to the terminal, leveraging the port’s proximity to the **Kurobe Dam hydroelectric network** for low‑energy processing. Employment data from the 2023 Toyama Prefectural Labor Survey indicates that the port directly sustains **≈ 5,800 jobs**, with an additional **≈ 12,000 indirect positions** in shipping agencies, trucking firms, and ancillary services. The port’s **cargo handling efficiency**—measured by an average **turnaround time of 1.9 days for container vessels**—places it among the top three most productive ports in the Hokuriku region. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Domestic and Regional Corridors - **Northwest Asian Loop**: Regular liner services to **Yokohama**, **Kobe**, and **Osaka**, facilitating intra‑Japanese distribution of automotive parts, finished vehicles, and consumer electronics. - **Southeast Asian Axis**: Direct calls from **Busan (South Korea)**, **Shanghai**, and **Tanjung Panjang (Indonesia)**, transporting timber, steel coils, and agricultural products. ### International Trade - **Trans‑Pacific**: Seasonal container voyages connect Toyama to **Los Angeles** and **Seattle**, primarily handling **high‑value electronics, precision machinery, and automotive components** destined for North American markets. - **Europe‑Asia Corridor**: A limited but growing service to **Rotterdam** and **Hamburg** carries **specialty chemicals and high‑grade timber**, leveraging the **Northern Sea Route** during ice‑free months to shorten transit times. ### Major Cargo Profiles 1. **Automobile & Parts** – The proximity to major auto manufacturers means that **carriage of chassis, engines, and electronic modules** represents a core export commodity, especially to ASEAN economies and the United States. 2. **Timber & Wood Products** – Toyama’s forested hinterland supplies **sawn timber, plywood, and engineered wood**, which are exported to China, South Korea, and the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. 3. **Steel Coil & Sheet** – Steel manufacturers ship **cold‑rolled coil** to shipyards in Vietnam and the Middle East, using the port’s heavy‑lift cranes for efficient handling. 4. **Agricultural Bulk** – Imports of **soybean meal, corn, and wheat** from the United States and Canada support local feed‑lot operations and food processing plants. The port’s **shipping line roster** includes major carriers such as **MOL**, **NYK Line**, **Cosco Shipping**, and **Hanjin**. Their vessels, ranging from **Panamax container ships (≈ 4,000 TEU)** to **Handysize bulk carriers (≈ 30,000 DWT)**, benefit from Toyama’s **advanced pilotage services** and **24‑hour navigational assistance** provided by the Japan Coast Guard. > *“Toyama Port continues to evolve as a multi‑modal, environmentally conscious hub that links Japan’s central manufacturing corridors to the global supply chain.”* – **Japan Ministry of Transport Annual Report 2023** --- *This article incorporates data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Toyama Port Authority, ensuring an up‑to‑date, authoritative overview for maritime professionals.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPTOY

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Toyama

Latitude

36.695952

Longitude

137.213677

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Toyama?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Toyama is JPTOY.

Where is Port of Toyama located?

The Port of Toyama is located in Japan, Toyama. Its coordinates are 36.6960°N, 137.2137°E.

What time zone is Port of Toyama in?

Port of Toyama 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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