26 July 2023 (Lloyd's List) - MITSUI OSK Lines and K Line have agreed with the local port operator to expand a major container terminal in Kobe, Japan, according to a statement.
The two Japanese shipping groups and Kobe-Osaka International Port Corp have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see Kobe International Container Terminal become the largest box-handling facility in the western part of the country.
Under the agreement, MOL will add berth PC-14 and the attached land to its lease which currently consists of the operations of berths PC-15/16/17, after an expansion and improvement project in the area completes in around 2025.
In addition, two nearby box berths RC-4 and RC-5 operated by K Line on Kobe’s Rokko Island will also be merged into KICT.
“The expanded KICT will have a total wharf length of 1,750m, up from the current 1,050m, providing more flexible berth windows and streamlining connections for containers with other routes (transshipment),” said MOL.
It would be capable of handling about 40% of international container cargo at the port of Kobe, the company added.
Kobe handled about 2.9m teu of boxes last year, nearly 80% of which were from international trade. It ranked 72nd on the latest Lloyd’s List Top 100 container port list.
