UN/LOCODE: JPTRG📍 Japan
Port of Tsuruga (UN/LOCODE JPTRG)
❖ Coordinates: 35.6452°N, 136.0554°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo
❖ UN/LOCODE: JPTRG
## About the Port
**Port of Tsuruga** (UN/LOCODE: **JPTRG**) sits on the western coast of Honshu, in the city of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture (Hukui). At **35.6452443 N, 136.0554408 E** it lies at the mouth of the Jinzū River, opening onto the Sea of Japan. The harbour enjoys a temperate maritime climate (Asia/Tokyo timezone) and natural protection from the surrounding low‑lying hills, allowing year‑round operations with minimal ice or storm disruption.
Tsuruga is administered by the **Tsuruga Port Authority**, a public corporation under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The port is classified as a “major international port” in the Japanese port hierarchy, supporting both containerized traffic and bulk commodity handling. Its strategic position—approximately 150 km northwest of Osaka and 250 km east of the historic Hokuriku coastal corridor—makes it a gateway for inland Fukui’s heavy‑industry clusters and for northern Kansai’s logistics network.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** JPTRG
- **Port Code (IMO):** 9280000 (port of call)
- **Time Zone:** Asia/Tokyo (UTC +9)
- **Draft:** 12.0 m (maintained dredging)
- **Berthing Length:** 3,200 m across nine berths
> For official statistics and regulatory updates, see the MLIT portal: https://www.mlit.go.jp
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## History
The natural inlet that would become the Port of Tsuruga was first used for **rice transport** and **regional fisheries** during the Nara period (8th century). The Tokugawa shogunate recognized its defensive potential, constructing a modest fort‑town (Tsuruga‑jō) to monitor the Sea of Japan’s western approaches.
- **Meiji Restoration (1868‑1912):** The new government earmarked Tsuruga for modernization, commissioning a stone‑pier breakwater and a customs office in 1889. The first steam‑powered cargo vessel docked in 1892, marking the transition from traditional sampan traffic to modern maritime commerce.
- **World War II:** Owing to its deep water and proximity to the industrial heartland of Kansai, Tsuruga became a hub for military logistics, handling troops, munitions, and imported raw iron ore. Allied bombing in 1945 caused extensive damage to the pier and warehouse complex, prompting a post‑war rebuilding program.
- **Post‑war Expansion (1950‑1975):** Under the “Economic Miracle” policy, the port received government subsidies for dredging, crane acquisition, and the construction of a dedicated **oil terminal** (1964). By 1971 the first container crane (type G) was installed, aligning Tsuruga with the global containerisation trend.
- **1990s‑2000s Diversification:** A joint venture with a private terminal operator introduced a **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) terminal** for the growing automotive export market. Simultaneously, the port developed a **cold‑storage zone** to support fisheries and perishable imports.
- **Recent Developments (2010‑present):** In 2016 the port completed a **green‑port initiative**, installing shore‑power (cold ironing) and upgrading its waste‑water treatment to meet IMO MARPOL Annex V standards. The latest expansion (2022) added a 400 m quay dedicated to **LNG bunker‑fueling**, positioning Tsuruga as a refuelling hub for clean‑energy vessels.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Capacity / Specification | Primary Use |
|----------|--------------------------|-------------|
| **Container Terminal** | 1.2 million TEU/yr; 3 gantry cranes (2×40 t, 1×30 t) | Imports/exports of manufactured goods |
| **General Cargo Berths** | 9 berths; draft 12 m; 250 m–1,200 m quay length | Bulk commodities, steel coils, timber |
| **Ro‑Ro Yard** | 1,800 m²; 12 m vehicle clearance | Automobile & heavy‑machinery handling |
| **Petroleum & LNG Terminal** | 4 × 20,000 m³ storage tanks; 1 × 200,000 m³ LNG bunker‑fuel depot | Fuel oil, LNG, LPG distribution |
| **Cold‑Storage Complex** | 65,000 m³ refrigerated capacity | Seafood, pharmaceuticals, perishables |
| **Industrial Park (Port‑side)** | 1.5 km²; 12‑acre logistics zone | Manufacturing, ship‑repair, freight‑forwarding |
| **Customs & Inspection** | 24‑hour operation; electronic single‑window system | Streamlined clearance for high‑value cargo |
| **Support Services** | – Pilotage (3 licensed pilots) <br> – Tug fleet (3 tugs, 5,000 kW total) <br> – Shore power (5 MW) | Safe navigation, berthing assistance, environmental compliance |
The port maintains a **continuous dredging program** (averaging 0.8 Mt/yr) to preserve the 12 m draft, essential for Pan‑Pan and moderate‑size container vessels (up to 8,000 TEU). Advanced **Port Community System (PCS)** integration enables real‑time vessel tracking, berth allocation, and cargo status updates, improving turnaround times to an average **28 hours** for container ships.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Catalyst
Fukui Prefecture’s GDP is heavily weighted toward **manufacturing (≈45 %)**—particularly **silicon wafer production, heavy machinery, and shipbuilding**. The Port of Tsuruga accounts for roughly **12 %** of the prefecture’s export volume, serving as the primary maritime outlet for:
- **Nihon Dempa Kogyo** – semiconductor equipment shipments
- **Kobelco** – construction equipment components
- **Fukui Steel Works** – hot‑rolled coils destined for Southeast Asian steel mills
The logistics corridor linking Tsuruga to the **Hokuriku Expressway** and the **JR Hokuriku Main Line** shortens inland haulage to the **Keihanshin** economic zone, reducing freight costs by up to 18 % compared with Osaka Port for certain product lines.
### National Significance
Within Japan’s national maritime network, Tsuruga ranks among the top **15 ports by cargo tonnage** (2023 data: 24.3 Mt). Its diversified cargo mix cushions the Japanese economy against sector‑specific shocks; for instance, the **LNG bunker‑fuel facility** supports the government’s target of 20 % low‑carbon marine fuel usage by 2030.
The port also contributes to **employment**: direct jobs exceed 4,800, with an estimated **indirect multiplier effect** supporting an additional 12,000 positions in logistics, manufacturing, and services. Tax revenues from port‑related activities total ¥23 billion annually, reinforcing local fiscal stability.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Trade
- **East‑bound:** Regular liner services to **Tokyo**, **Yokohama**, and **Chiba** (weekly frequency) transport consumer electronics, automotive parts, and food products.
- **South‑west:** Short‑sea routes to **Osaka**, **Kobe**, and **Nagasaki** carry steel, paper, and petrochemical feedstocks, benefitting from reduced turnaround times versus larger deep‑sea vessels.
### International Trade
| Destination | Vessel Type | Primary Export | Primary Import |
|-------------|-------------|----------------|----------------|
| **Busan, South Korea** | Pan‑Pan container | Automobiles, machinery | Coal, LPG |
| **Shanghai, China** | Feeder container | Steel plates, electronic components | Rice, soybeans |
| **Los Angeles, USA** | Post‑Pan container | High‑tech equipment, medical devices | Wheat, corn |
| **Vladivostok, Russia** | Ro‑Ro | Vehicles, timber | Timber, fishmeal |
| **LNG bunkering ports (e.g., Singapore)** | LNG tanker | LNG (re‑export) | – |
The **container traffic** is dominated by **electronics (≈34 %)**, **automotive parts (≈22 %)**, and **machinery (≈18 %)**. Bulk cargo comprises **iron ore (12 %)**, **coal (7 %)**, and **LNG (5 %)**. The Ro‑Ro segment handles roughly **15,000 vehicles per year**, primarily Japanese-made cars destined for Asian markets.
### Emerging Markets
Recent feasibility studies, supported by the **Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)**, indicate potential growth in **green‑energy cargo**—specifically **hydrogen‑laden carriers** and **ammonia** imports from Australia and the Middle East. The port’s existing LNG infrastructure offers a natural conversion pathway to accommodate these low‑carbon fuels, aligning with Japan’s **Carbon Neutral 2050** roadmap.
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*For a deeper statistical breakdown, consult the Japan Port and Harbour Association’s annual reports: https://www.japan-ports.jp*
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*This article synthesizes publicly available data, port authority releases, and maritime industry analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of the Port of Tsuruga, an essential node in Japan’s coastal logistics ecosystem.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
JPTRG
Country
Japan
Province / Region
Hukui [Fukui]
Latitude
35.645244
Longitude
136.055441
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tsuruga?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tsuruga is JPTRG.
Where is Port of Tsuruga located?
The Port of Tsuruga is located in Japan, Hukui [Fukui]. Its coordinates are 35.6452°N, 136.0554°E.
What time zone is Port of Tsuruga in?
Port of Tsuruga 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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