Kita Kyushu, Japan
Kitakyushu is a major industrial and port city serving as the gateway between Honshu and Kyushu in Japan.
Port Overview
Kita Kyushu is located at the northern tip of Kyushu, Japan, facing the Kanmon Straits and directly across from Honshu. It is the second-largest city in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu, and its port is the largest on Kyushu Island by docking capacity and annual shipping traffic. Strategically positioned near major Asian trade routes and just 230 km from Busan, Korea, the port serves as a vital gateway for international commerce. The annual container throughput is approximately 1.5 million TEU, underscoring its regional importance.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Kita Kyushu’s main port facilities include the Moji (Tachinoura) and Hibiki Container Terminals, both equipped to handle large container vessels with deep-water berths. The Kokura and Tanoura RORO Terminals support vehicle and roll-on/roll-off cargo, while Shinmoji and Kokura Ferry Terminals provide extensive ferry services. Key equipment includes ship-to-shore gantry cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and advanced container handling systems, supporting efficient, high-capacity cargo operations.
Container Terminals
Kita Kyushu’s main container terminal, Hibiki, features 3 deepwater berths capable of handling large vessels. The terminal’s annual capacity is approximately 500,000 TEU. Automation is moderate, with modern quay cranes and computerized yard management, but not fully automated. Major operators include Kitakyushu Port Authority and private stevedoring companies. The terminal supports efficient intermodal connections and is designed for high productivity in regional and international container traffic.
Port Services
The Port of Kitakyushu offers comprehensive maritime services including:
Container Operations: Two major container terminals at Moji (Tachinoura) and Hibiki, with deep water capabilities handling Post-Panamax vessels.
Cargo Services: RORO terminals at Kokura and Tanoura, ferry operations, and general cargo handling with crane facilities (fixed, mobile, and floating).
Ship Services: Compulsory pilotage, tug assistance, longshore operations, quarantine facilities, and communication systems (VHF, radio, phone).
Support Infrastructure: Warehousing facilities, rail freight terminal with direct platform loading, and 24-hour airport operations for integrated Sea & Air logistics.
Global Connectivity
Kita Kyushu, Japan, is a major logistics hub with direct maritime connections to key Asian ports such as Busan, Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian, Incheon, and Tianjin, as well as regular feeder and ferry services to Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya. It serves the Kyushu region, western Japan, and acts as a gateway to Honshu. Shipping routes link Kita Kyushu to major markets in Asia, North America, and Europe, supporting both container and RORO cargo.
Port Statistics
Port of Kita Kyushu, Japan – Key Statistics (2024):
- TEU Throughput: Approximately 100,136 TEU (foreign trade, 2024)
- World Ranking: Not in the global top 20 by TEU; among Japan’s top 12 container ports
- Number of Berths: 197
- Port Area: About 1,530 hectares
- Shipping Lines: Major global and regional carriers, including direct services to China, Korea, and Taiwan
Kita Kyushu serves as a key regional gateway with a balanced import-export profile and strong connections to East Asia.
