UN/LOCODE: JPYKK📍 Japan

Port of Yokkaichi (UN/LOCODE JPYKK)

❖ Coordinates: 34.9652°N, 136.6245°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tokyo

❖ UN/LOCODE: JPYKK

## About the Port Located on the western coast of the Ise Bay, **Port of Yokkaichi** (UN/LOCODE: **JPYKK**) serves as a strategic maritime hub for central Japan. Situated in Mie Prefecture at latitude 34.9651567 N and longitude 136.6244847 E, the port operates under the **Asia/Tokyo (UTC+9)** time zone, aligning its logistics cycles with the country's industrial heartland. Yokkaichi’s natural deep‑water basin, protected by a network of breakwaters, accommodates vessels up to 120 000 DWT, making it a pivotal entry point for bulk commodities, automobile parts, and advanced manufacturing goods. The port is managed by the **Yokkaichi Port Authority (YPA)**, which coordinates berthing, cargo handling, and environmental compliance in line with Japan’s stringent maritime regulations. ## History ### Early Development (1880‑1945) Yokkaichi’s maritime significance dates to the Meiji era when the Imperial Japanese Government identified Ise Bay as a conduit for the emerging industrial corridor between Osaka and Nagoya. The original wooden pier, completed in 1883, facilitated the export of tea and silk from the surrounding agricultural districts. During the Second World War, the port was expanded with reinforced concrete berths to support naval supply lines, and it endured several Allied air raids that prompted post‑war reconstruction efforts. ### Post‑War Expansion (1950‑1990) The 1950s saw the establishment of the **Yokkaichi Industrial Complex**, a government‑backed petrochemical zone that demanded robust import capacity for crude oil and export capacity for refined products. In response, the port added a dedicated oil terminal and deepened navigation channels to 13 m. The 1970s brought a surge in automobile manufacturing, spurring the construction of roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facilities and container yards that transformed Yokkaichi into a multimodal logistics node. ### Contemporary Transformations (1990‑Present) Since the 1990s, Yokkaichi has pursued a diversification strategy to mitigate reliance on bulk petrochemicals. The port authority introduced **automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems**, modernized its container handling equipment, and invested in green port technologies such as shore‑power provision and ballast‑water treatment plants. These upgrades positioned Yokkaichi to meet the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL** standards and align with Japan’s “Society 5.0” vision for smart, sustainable infrastructure. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Quays - **12 General Cargo Berths** (10 – 14 m draft) equipped with gantry cranes ranging from 30 t to 70 t. - **3 Container Berths** (12 m draft) supporting 5,000‑TEU operations, each fitted with twin‑lane Super‑Post‑Pune (SPP) cranes. - **2 Ro‑Ro Ramps** (15 m draft) handling car manufacturers’ supply chains and passenger vehicle imports. - **1 LNG Terminal** with dual‑stage vaporisation units, complying with the **IMO 2020 sulfur cap**. ### Storage & Logistics - **Container Yard**: 150 ha of fenced, 24‑hour‑access storage with a capacity of 180,000 TEU, integrated with an **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** system for real‑time slot booking. - **Bulk Terminals**: Coal, iron ore, and cement silos totaling 1.2 million tonnes of on‑site capacity, serviced by shore‑based conveyor belts and ship‑loader gantries. - **Warehousing**: Climate‑controlled and hazardous‑material compliant warehouses, collectively offering 300,000 m³ of storage. ### Intermodal Connectivity - **Rail**: Direct connection to the **Kansai Main Line** (JR Central) enabling 1,200 km of inland rail transport to Nagoya, Osaka, and beyond. - **Road**: Proximity to the **Meishin Expressway (E1A)** and **Japan National Route 23**, facilitating 24‑hour truck movements to the Kanto‑Chubu industrial belts. - **Air**: A shuttle service links the port to **Kansai International Airport (KIX)** within 90 minutes, supporting high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo. ### Technological Assets - **Port Community System (PCS)**: A cloud‑based platform that synchronizes customs clearance, vessel stowage planning, and terminal operating procedures, reducing average dwell time by 15 %. - **Smart Surveillance**: Integrated CCTV with AI‑based anomaly detection to monitor cargo integrity and enhance security. - **Environmental Controls**: Shore‑power (cold ironing) infrastructure serving up to 30 % of docked vessels, and a wastewater treatment plant meeting **ISO 14001** standards. ## Economic Importance ### Regional Contribution Yokkaichi Port underpins Mie Prefecture’s GDP, contributing roughly **¥850 billion** (≈ US$6.2 billion) annually through direct cargo handling, ancillary services, and employment. The port sustains over **18,000** jobs across logistics, ship repair, and marine engineering sectors, while attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) from South Korean petrochemical firms and European automotive suppliers. ### National Role Within Japan’s maritime network, Yokkaichi ranks in the top **15** ports by cargo volume, handling **≈ 65 million tonnes** of cargo in 2023. The port’s diversified cargo mix—ranging from **liquid hydrocarbons (30 %)**, **automotive parts (25 %)**, **containerized consumer goods (20 %)**, to **bulk minerals (15 %)**—provides resilience against sector‑specific downturns. Moreover, Yokkaichi functions as a vital “trans‑shipment” node for the **Trans‑Pacific** trade corridor, linking Northeast Asian manufacturers with North American markets. ### Strategic Initiatives The authority’s **“Yokkaichi Port 2030 Master Plan”** emphasizes digitalization, decarbonization, and value‑added logistics. Key targets include a **30 % reduction in CO₂ emissions** through electrified equipment, and the establishment of a **logistics innovation hub** that fosters collaborations between universities, tech start‑ups, and incumbent shippers. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Lanes | Origin/Destination | Primary Commodity | Average Vessel Size | |--------------------|-------------------|---------------------| | **Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE)** | Crude Oil, LPG | VLCC (200,000 DWT) | | **Australia (Western Australia)** | Iron Ore, Coal | Capesize (180,000 DWT) | | **South Korea (Ulsan, Geoje)** | Automobiles, Steel | Ro‑Ro / Panamax | | **China (Shanghai, Ningbo)** | Electronics, Textiles | Container (5,000 TEU) | | **United States (Los Angeles, Seattle)** | Agricultural Products, Machinery | Container (8,000 TEU) | ### Cargo Profiles - **Petrochemicals**: The port’s LNG and oil terminals handle **≈ 28 million tonnes** of liquid fuels per year, feeding the adjacent Yokkaichi petrochemical complex, which produces high‑value polymers and synthetic rubbers. - **Automotive**: Ro‑Ro facilities process over **1.2 million** vehicles annually, supporting manufacturers such as **Toyota, Suzuki, and Honda** that maintain assembly plants within Mie Prefecture. - **Containers**: With an annual throughput of **5.4 million TEU**, Yokkaichi’s container operations specialize in high‑tech components (semiconductors, automotive electronics) and consumer goods destined for inland distribution hubs. - **Bulk Minerals**: Coal and iron ore imports sustain regional steel mills, while cement shipments support ongoing infrastructure projects, including the **Kansai International Airport expansion** and coastal defense works. ### Emerging Markets The port is actively courting **green cargo**—including **hydrogen** and **ammonia**—as part of Japan’s carbon‑neutral roadmap. Pilot projects in partnership with **Tokyo Institute of Technology** aim to establish a **hydrogen bunkering facility** by 2027, positioning Yokkaichi as a gateway for the emerging **“hydrogen triangle”** linking Japan, South Korea, and Australia. --- *For further technical specifications and real‑time vessel schedules, consult the official Yokkaichi Port Authority portal* (ypa.mie.jp↗) *and the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) database* (UN/LOCODE JPYKK↗).

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

JPYKK

Country

Japan

Province / Region

Mie

Latitude

34.965157

Longitude

136.624485

Timezone

Asia/Tokyo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Yokkaichi?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Yokkaichi is JPYKK.

Where is Port of Yokkaichi located?

The Port of Yokkaichi is located in Japan, Mie. Its coordinates are 34.9652°N, 136.6245°E.

What time zone is Port of Yokkaichi in?

Port of Yokkaichi 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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