Nagoya, Japan

Port Overview

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city, located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island, with a population of approximately 2.3 million. The metropolitan area encompasses nearly 11 million people, making it Japan's third most populous urban area. As a manufacturing powerhouse, Nagoya is home to major automotive and industrial companies including Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi. The city serves as a critical logistics hub with the Port of Nagoya, Japan's largest port, handling approximately 17 million tons of cargo annually and connecting Japanese trade to 39 nations worldwide. Its strategic location and modern infrastructure make it central to Japan's industrial economy.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Nagoya Port features major container terminals including Tobishima Pier North, South, and South Side, plus Nabeta Pier, offering a total of 13 berths with depths up to 16 meters. Key cargo facilities include earthquake-resistant quays, large terminal areas, and advanced logistics infrastructure. Equipment includes 29 gantry cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and remotely operated rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, supporting efficient container handling and high throughput.

Container Terminals

Nagoya’s container terminals feature over 20 berths, with a total annual capacity of approximately 2.7 million TEUs. Major terminals include Tobishima Pier, NCB Container Terminal, and Nabeta Pier, operated by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and Nagoya United Container Terminal. Automation is moderate, with remote-controlled RTGs and twin spreader cranes, but full automation is not yet implemented. The terminals serve routes across Asia, North America, and beyond.

Port Services

The Port of Nagoya provides comprehensive maritime services as Japan's largest trading port. Main operations include container handling through multiple deep-water berths with 12-meter depths, automobile export facilities serving Toyota and other manufacturers, cargo operations for international trade accounting for 10% of Japan's total trade value, stevedoring and warehousing services throughout the port complex, and customs clearance for both containerized and bulk cargo. The port features modern terminal facilities at Garden Pier and Kinjo Pier with efficient connections to expressways and rail networks.

Global Connectivity

Nagoya, Japan’s largest and busiest port, is strategically located in Ise Bay at the heart of the Japanese archipelago, serving as a critical gateway for both imports and exports. It connects to approximately 170 countries, with major shipping routes linking Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. The port is Japan’s top automobile export hub, especially for Toyota, and handles a diverse cargo mix including machinery, steel, chemicals, LNG, and raw materials. Its extensive hinterland covers central Japan’s industrial heartland, notably Aichi Prefecture, and benefits from robust road and rail networks for efficient distribution. Key trading partners include China, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, and the Middle East, underpinning Nagoya’s role in global supply chains.

Port Statistics

Port of Nagoya, Japan – Key Statistics (2023):

• TEU Throughput: 2.70 million TEU
• World Ranking: Approximately 50th among global container ports
• Number of Berths: 290
• Port Area: 43,000,000 m² (43 sq km)
• Shipping Lines: Served by over 170 international shipping lines

Nagoya is Japan’s busiest port by cargo volume and a major gateway for automotive exports and industrial goods.