Port of Shimizu
History
The history of the Port of Shimizu goes back the 7th century A.D. (the Asuka period in Japan). Records still exist from that time of relief ships embarking from the port for the Kingdom of Paekche in Korea. From the 16th to the 18th century (from the Warring States period to the Edo period) the Shogunate came to view the port as an important strategic site and trading center.
The story of the Port of Shimizu as a modern harbor begins with its designation as an open port on August 4, 1899. The opening coincided with the arrival of the steam engine and industrial modernization. Starting with the export of green tea, the port began handling products of Shizuoka and neighboring areas, such as citrus fruits, canned goods, motorcyclesnd musical instruments, and expanded in size and function with the industrialization of the coastal areas. The port responded swiftly to the opening of the container era to become one of the leading exporters in the country, and also supports the economy of Shizuoka and central Japan with imports of raw materials such as timber, soy beans and bauxite, and came to play an important role in the era of high economic growth in Japan.
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Sea Port
The Port of Shimizu is a long established mid-size sea port, catering to container ships, dry bulk ships and cruise ships (
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It is well located, being in between the two major port areas of Japan, i.e. the Tokyo Bay ports of Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama (Keihin ports) and the Osaka Bay ports of Osaka and Kobe (Hanshin ports. The Port of Shimizu has a water depth of about 12 meters; its attractiveness has been enhanced over the past years by the construction of new road and rail links which contribute to expanding its commercial hinterland.
In tonnage, imports (about 6.5 million tons) are close to twice export volumes, but in trade value exports are twice as valuable as imports.
The Port of Shimizu container traffic is about balanced, with over 250,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) in each direction, with auto parts and chemicals amongst the main cargo types. Major international container lines provide weekly services on major trade routes, including North America, Europe and Asia, with about 110 calls per months on 28 trade routes.
The port of Shimizu also includes a terminal to receive LNG tankers and store imported Liquefied natural gas; it is operated by Shimizu LNG, a subsidiary of Shizuoka Gas (Japan is the world's largest importer of LNG).
The Port of Shimizu is also connected to other Japan ports. In particular, it is served by a Roll-on/roll-off service serving the port of Ōita, on the north-east coast of the southern island of Kyushu. This service, which sails three times a week and has a transit time of 20 hours, has enabled a modal shift of freight trucks from road to sea, thereby contributing to decreasing congestion and pollution on roads.
WikipediaWebsite:https://www.portofshimizu-intl.com/
