First Symposium(Presentation of Kochi Port)

Presenter:Tatsuyuki　Shishido
Director　General：Port,Harbour&Airport bureau
Kochi Prefectural Government,JAPAN

1998.11.18

OUTLINE OF THE PORT OF KOCHI

PREFACE
1. HISTORY OF PORT OF KOCHI
　The Port in the Olden Days
　Development as Distribution Center and Industrial Zone
Development Plan
Investment

2. PRESENT SITUATION OF PORT OF KOCHI
Location
Natural Condition
Port Facilities
Cargo Throughput Ship Call
Marine Recreational Activities
Ongoing Projects

3. NEW TRIAL AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Comprehensive Development Plan for Kochi Prefecture
New Trial related to Port
New Development plan

PREFACE
In March, 1998, a new port facing the Pacific Ocean was partly opened and the Port of Kochi started its first stage of operation as an international trade commercial port. A plan to construct the new port was first conceived in 1974 and the construction started in 1988. The first stage construction work was completed in 10 years.
Main port facilities are 840 m-long breakwater, wharves with depth of 12m and 8m, reclaimed land area of 0.4km2, one gantry crane and a 3.5 km access road with two lanes connecting to the city area. Total capital investment to date present amounts to approximately 85 billion yen.
The new port presently accommodates container ships and coal carriers. By the opening of the new port and the next stage development, the Port of Kochi is expected to play a much more important role in the further development of Kochi Prefecture and the surrounding regions.
At the opportunity of opening the new port, sister port agreements with the ports of Tanjung-Perak in Indonesia, Subic-Bay in the Philippines, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Qingdao in China were signed.


1. HISTORY OF PORT OF KOCHI


The port was developed in an inner bay, named Urado Wan, in a calm water area of about 8 km2, and is protected from direct attack of waves by Katsurahama Coast in west and Taneszasi Coast in east at the mouth of the bay. Since early times, Urado Wan has been used as a natural harbor. "Tosa Diary", a famous classical work of literature written in the 900s, mentions that the bay was used as a terminal of sea transportation. (Tosa is the earlier name of Kochi.)
In the 1500s a small jetty was constructed while in the 1600s Kenzan Nonaka who was the most famous engineer of Tosa in those days, designed and supervised further port facility development.
During the Meiji Period (latter half of the 1800s), breakwater expansion work was executed to cope with the ever increasing size of ships. For further development, a new plan was proposed by Mr. D. Lake from Holland who was hired by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Japan, and another plan was offered by Mr. Isamu Hiroi who was a highly esteemed port engineer. However, these development plans could not be implemented owing to the very high costs.


In the Showa Period (1920s), the cement industry was developed in the coastal area next to the Port. Kochi Prefecture is rich in mining products, which were processed into industrial products at factories in the port area and transported through the Port. In addition, modernization of the traditional paper industry, forestry industry and fishing industry also began. With these developments, the Port became a distribution and coastal industrial center.
In 1938, the Port of Kochi at that time known as Urado Port was designated as a open port and its present mane also adopted. During this period, construction of port facilities were carried out steadily and it was possible to accommodate 3,000t class ships by 1945.
In 1951, a basic law relating to ports in Japan, named the "Port and Harbor Law," was established. According to the law, the Port of Kochi was designated as a Major Port. Construction of port facilities and reclamation of land for the expansion of the Port continued.


The port management body of a Major Port must settle on a master plan for port development, which is reviewed and revised every ten year in general. The first plan of the Port of Kochi under the law was settled on in 1960. The important factor in the plan was to make it possible to accommodate ships of 15,000 DWT to facilitate the import of raw materials and the export of finished products. For this purpose, it was planned to construct a channel of 10m depth and public berths with a draft of 10m. Cargo volume handled in 1967 was estimated to be 5 million-tons which was as 3.5 times greater than in 1958.
In 1970, this plan was revised because the total amount of cargo handled in 1968 reached 7.9 million tons. In the plan, berth with 7.5m-draft for ferry vessels of 8,500t class was proposed.
The next master plan was designed in 1974. By this time, the economic activities in the central area of Kochi Prefecture started gaining momentum and the cargo throughput of the Port started increasing steadily. On the other hand, a high tide attacked Kochi City in 1960 and approximately half of the houses of the city were flooded. The experience made people reluctant to conduct further reclamation in Urado Wan. Furthermore, the importance of harmonization with the natural environment started to be stressed in port development.
Considering these factors, it was decided to build new port facilities with a berth for large scale vessels outside of the inner Bay. The plan is prepared based on the appropriate allotment between existing function in Urado Bay and a new function outside and role of a new port as a main center for inflow and outflow of cargo in the Port. Main facilities planned are a berth with a draft of 12m for 30,000 DWT class ships and another berth with 9m draft for ferries of 12,000 tons as well as breakwater installation. The location of the new port has changed a little because of shoreline protection conducted later.
The present plan was authorized in 1990 with a target year of 2000. The plan was prepared under the idea that the Port of Kochi was expected to keep up with various kinds of requests such as enhancement of function as a distribution center integrating with a highway network, preparation of sound waterfront areas with amenity for citizens to enjoy, relax and so on, taking into consideration the factors of natural environment and the matters concerning the safety of the region. The total amount of cargo handled in the year 2000 is estimated as 13.2 million tons (Foreign 1.3 million tons; Domestic 11.9 million tons) and a maximum vessel size is planned as 50,000 DWT class.


Construction and installation of facilities of the Port is conducted based on the five year port development plan. The five year plan is prepared by the Ministry of Transport for the achievement of steady and healthy growth of the national economy. First stage of this five year plan began in 1961. Up to now 8 stages have been completed and it is at the 9th stage at present. The total investment for the Port of Kochi from the 1st stage five year plan until 8th amounts to approximately 100 billion yen. This figure consists of 63.5 billion yen of construction works by the central government and 30.6 billion yen by Kochi Prefecture with subsidization.


2. PRESENT SITUATION OF KOCHI PORT


The Port of Kochi is located at the central area of Kochi Prefecture in SHIKOKU Island which is in the south western port of Japan. Mountainous areas are widely spread in the prefectural area and main cities are developed along the coastal line of Tosa Bay which opens to the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Kochi has been developed in front of Kochi city, the capital of the prefecture. The Port consists of two areas. One is Urado Wan area with an 8 km2 water area and a 1.5 km2 land area and an open ocean area known as the new port with a 6 km2 water area and a 0.4 km2 reclaimed area at present.
Distance from Yokohama Port by sea is 367-miles and from Kobe Port is 143-miles. The Port of Kochi directly faces the Pacific Ocean and is located very close (70 miles) to the Great Circle Course that links direct ports of East Asia and North America. The short distance from the Course gives the port a big advantage in international container transportation.


As the Port of Kochi faces the Pacific Ocean, waves more than 8m in height surge when a typhoon attacks this region. When a high tide occurs, shoreline areas in Urado Wan are subject to flooding. Outside of the bay, it is necessary to take care of littoral drift along beaches. And as some rivers stream into Urado Wan, maintenance dredging is periodically required.


There are public facilities constructed by Kochi Prefecture or the central government and private facilities constructed/operated by each private enterprise. The public facilities are under control of Kochi Prefecture for use by all vessels.
Total length of berth in Urado Wan area, where depth ranges from 1-7.5m, amounts to more than 7,000m including ferry boat berths with 7.5-m depth. The total apron area is 54,731 m2, while the port also has opened storage areas of 28,142m2 and warehouses of 9,033 m2.
In the new port area, there are two berths with a gantry crane (30-tons capacity), 240-m berth length with 12-m depth and 240 m berth length with 8-m depth. Area of apron is 80,433m2 in total and area of container yard is 55,544m2. In addition, 60 electrical terminals for reefer containers and 2 units of disinfection facilities are installed. Next to a public area, Kochi Trade Service Co., Ltd., a semi public organization, is located and operates general warehouses with 3,966 m2 refrigerated warehouse with 4,965m2 and transit shed with 2,937m2.
Some enterprises of industries related to cement, petroleum distribution, mineral, timber and ship building operate their own private berths next to their own land area for independent use.


In 1996, 7,856 ships called at the Port of Kochi and sum of gross tonnage amounted to 9.32 million tons. By type, these were 78 foreign trading ship, 4,686 domestic trading ships, 1,977 fishing vessels and 593 others. In recent years, arrival of ships below 500 ton class have been decreasing while ships over 3000 ton class have been increasing.
There are two lines of ferry service, Kochi/Osaka daily service and Kochi/Tokyo which provides service every two days. In addition, from spring in 1998 two international container lines connect weekly the Port of Kochi with the Port of Pusan by 300 TEU container ship and the Port of Qingdao by 200 TEU/ 300 TEU container ship.


The total tonnage of cargo handled by the Port in 1995 was 11.158 million tons. Exports represented 55.6% (6.2 million tons) of the total large handled and imports 44.4%. The cargo volume had been gradually decreasing after peaking in 1988 but since 1994 it had been increasing.
Main commodities are mining products such as lime and olivine, and industrial chemicals such as cement and petroleum products. Metals and machinery products and wood products are also handled. Ferry boats transported 27,000 trucks between Kochi and Kansai area and 20,000 between Tokyo and Kochi in 1996. About 200,000 people use ferry service in a year.
As far as container cargo is concerned, frozen food products, vegetables were mainly imported from Qingdao and from Pusan, mainly animal feed and fertilizers were imported and polishing materials and industrial products were exported.
Partner countries of trading are China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, USA and Russia in 1996.



You find many people who enjoy such marine recreation as sightseeing of natural beauty, wind-surfing, fishing and sea bathing in and around the Port. In 1997, 5.2 million people visited the Port area for recreation. In addition, there are about 1,000 small marine leisure boats moored at sea walls in the Port. Almost all of these boats are moored without permission. Small mooring facility for these boats has been constructed but it is not sufficient. On the other hand, the number of people enjoying in marine recreational activities is rapidly increasing. Therefor, both the construction of facilities and preparation of certain regulations are required.


In the present 9th stage of the five year port development plan, expansion of a breakwater, additional work for four lanes access road and additional reclamation in the new port are being executed aiming at a full completion.
On the other hand, project for improving water quality in Urado Wan is executed. To date, 37,000 tons of polluted mud at sea bed has been removed and replaced with 27,000 tons of clean sand. Observed data shows some improvement of water quality.


3. NEW TRIALS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT


Area of Kochi Prefecture is 7,100 km2 (0.7% of total Japan) and its population in 1997 is 817,000 (0.6%). GDP is 2,3623 trillion yen (0.5%) and Industrial output is 705,000 billion yen (0.2%). At present, economic activity of Kochi Prefecture is at a low level compared to Japan as a whole.
In 1993, A comprehensive development plan for Kochi Prefecture was decided. In this plan, important consideration is given to special features of Kochi Prefecture such as its facing the Pacific Ocean, availability of abundance of nature, warm climate and possession of a progressive spirit. According to the plan, some projects including development and vitalization of port are strongly promoted for the target.
The National Comprehensive Development Plan authorized in this year put stress on the necessity of the relocation of industries to local region and promotion of local economies. In order for local regions to achieve sustainable development, it is important to establish a harmonious economic and industrial system and to build enough infrastructures to support a stable and sustainable society. From this view point, the importance and role played by the port is becoming wider and larger.


The Kochi Prefectural Government is in the process of establishing new industries such as the manufacture of paper cups, textiles, etc. using Kenaf Plants which is heralded as an environmentally friendly material. Penning the container line to import this material accelerated this trial. The new port is expected to create chance for establishing new industries like the above.
Through Sister-Port relationships, it has become possible to promote and establish people to people network and an economic network. This will in effect have a very positive impact on the globalization of Kochi Prefecture.
On the other hand, some new system for enhancement of function as an international trade base were introduced. In March 1995, Kochi City area was designated as a Foreign Access Zone by the central government. In August 1998, Kochi Trade Services Co. Ltd. was established with Kochi Prefectural Government, Kochi City Government and Private enterprises becoming shareholders of the company. This semi public company is expected to promote and develop port activities as well as attract new industries related to the new port.
In addition, a region next to the Port of Kochi has been selected as one of regions where infrastructures for promoting international exchange should be constructed. Formulating efficient linking of ports, highway and airport is important for economic development of a region as such　efforts improve international economic competitiveness. Runway expansion project of Kochi airport and highway construction work is also being implemented in accordance with the new port development.


The next stage master plan with target year of 2015 is now being discussed. The Port of Kochi faces the Pacific Ocean, so there is easy and smooth access to the port. In addition, there is a very efficient highway network and easy access to all parts of Shikoku and western parts of Japan. The advantage of this location should be utilized in a new plan. On the other hand, the port is expected not only to serve as a center of distribution and industrial activity but also as a center of human communication. Keen attention will be paid to ensure that the port will also become a place where many people will get together. Including the above, the following factors shall be incorporated in the new master plan;

* Realization of relay port concept
* Port as a core of human communications and cultural activities
* Revitalization of coastal zone by introducing integrated industries and/or human activities.
* Environmentally friendly port development -aiming at ECO PORT
* Public access to waterfront
* Safety against natural disaster
* Introduction of information system