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    Yokohama, Japan

    Yokohama is Japan’s historic gateway port, renowned for its vibrant waterfront, modern skyline, and international culture.

    Container Volume:2.7 Million TEU
    Yokohama, Japan flag
    Yokohama, Japan

    Port Overview

    Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city and a major port located on Tokyo Bay, approximately 30 kilometers south of Tokyo in the Kantō region. As one of the world's most efficient container ports, Yokohama handles approximately 2.9-3.3 million TEUs annually. The port serves as a crucial logistics hub for key Japanese industries including automotive, electronics, and chemicals. With ten major piers featuring modern container terminals and extensive warehousing facilities, Yokohama functions as a strategic gateway connecting Japan with global markets, particularly the United States and Europe, while playing a vital role in the Greater Tokyo Area's economic ecosystem.

    Facilities & Infrastructure

    Yokohama Port is a major international gateway for both cargo and passengers, featuring several key terminals. Honmoku Pier is the main container hub, with four container terminals (BC, D-1, D-4, D-5) equipped with large quay cranes and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for efficient cargo handling. Daikoku Pier handles large car carriers and container ships, while Shinko Pier offers cruise and multipurpose facilities. Osanbashi Pier is the primary passenger terminal for international cruise ships, with modern amenities and direct city access. The port’s cargo facilities include extensive conventional and multipurpose berths, supporting diverse trade flows.

    Container Terminals

    Yokohama Port features approximately 14 public container berths across multiple terminals. The port's total container handling capacity reaches about 2.9 million TEU annually. Major operators include APM Terminals, which manages the largest facility with four berths (MC1-4) handling 2.4 million TEU, and Yokohama Port Mega Terminal operating BC and D-1 terminals. The port has implemented CONPAS, Japan's first automated gate reservation system, though terminal operations remain primarily conventional with gantry crane assistance rather than full automation.

    Port Services

    Main services at Yokohama Port include:

    • Container Handling: Large container terminals with significant capacity.
    • Cargo Operations: Handling of break bulks, dry bulks, automobiles, and LNG.
    • Ship Services: LNG bunkering and maintenance facilities.
    • Warehousing: Logistics facilities for various goods.
    • Customs: Comprehensive customs, immigration, and quarantine services.

    Global Connectivity

    Yokohama is a major international port in Japan, serving the Tokyo metropolitan area and wider Kanto region. It is directly connected to over 90 global ports through regular container shipping routes, linking Japan to key markets in Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania. Its strategic location and advanced infrastructure make it a vital hub for automotive, container, and bulk cargo, supporting efficient trade flows to and from major world markets.

    Port Statistics

    Port of Yokohama Key Statistics

    Container Throughput: The port handled approximately 2.9-3.1 million TEU annually, with 1.36 million TEU processed in the first half of 2025, representing a 0.8% year-on-year increase.

    Global Ranking: Yokohama ranks as the world's most efficient container port according to the World Bank Container Port Performance Index, achieving just 1.1 minutes per container move. Among Japanese ports, it is the second-largest after Tokyo.

    Area & Infrastructure: The port handled over 32,000 ships with nearly 300 million gross tonnage in 2019, featuring high-performance logistics warehouses.

    Major Shipping Lines: Information on specific shipping line connections was not available in current data.

    Container being moved

    Ship cargo through Yokohama, Japan

    Get a freight quote for ocean shipments via Yokohama, Japan. Expert cargo handling, customs clearance, transloading, and transportation solutions.

    Operations Logistics & Timelines

    Step-by-step process and transit times for international vessel berthing, customs clearance, transloading, and final delivery.

    For Clients

    Import & export process times from vessel arrival to cargo delivery.

    • Booking confirmationsame day to 1 day
    • Terminal gate-in and documentation4-24 hrs
    • Cargo discharge or load planning12-48 hrs
    • Final pickup or onward drayagesame day to 3 days

    For Employees

    Port authority inspection and transloading procedures and timelines.

    • Berth planning and yard coordinationcontinuous
    • Cargo handling operationsshift-based
    • Customs and compliance processingsame day to 2 days

    For Shareholders

    Performance benchmarks, cargo throughput KPIs and reporting cadences.

    • Throughput monitoringdaily / monthly
    • Asset utilization reviewweekly / monthly
    • Capital project trackingquarterly

    International Import Tips & Tricks

    1. 1

      Confirm cutoffs early

      Confirm vessel cutoffs, customs filing deadlines, and drayage windows before cargo reaches the terminal to avoid storage and rollover costs.

    2. 2

      Track utilization trends

      Review berth productivity, dwell times, and throughput trends alongside capex progress to separate structural bottlenecks from short-term volume swings.

    International Export Tips & Tricks

    1. 1

      Keep gate data aligned

      Keep appointment systems, yard status, and documentation status aligned to reduce avoidable delays in handoff and cargo release.

    Tools & Resources

    Tools and resources for shipping through Yokohama, Japan.

    Location & Maps

    Find Yokohama, Japan on popular mapping services.

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    For More Info

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common inquiries about operations and logistics at Yokohama, Japan.

    What is the typical process for import containers moving through this international port?

    Typical import flow is vessel arrival, berth assignment, discharge, customs review, terminal release, pickup or rail transfer, and final inland delivery. Timing depends on congestion, documentation, inspections, and local drayage capacity.

    What affects export cargo timing at an international port?

    Export timing depends on gate cutoff windows, booking confirmation, documentation readiness, customs requirements, terminal operating hours, and vessel schedule reliability.

    Glossary / Terminology

    Key terms relevant to international seaport operations and ocean freight.