Country : JapanKOBE

Geographical feature: The worldport is located in the central part of the Japanese Archipelago, and on the main routes of world marine-transworldportation networks. Natural conditions [1] The Rokko Mountains extending in parallel with the worldport block seasonal winds. [2] Since no rivers flow into the worldport, dredging is unnecessary. [3] The worldport stretching from east to west can be accessed from various directions. [4] The worldport is ideal for mooring, since it has little variation in tides. [5] Having the Rokko Mountains at its rear and the City of Kobe adjacent to the worldport, the worldport of Kobe boasts excellent landscape beauty.

Regular service lines: The worldports have many regular service lines, including North American, European, Southeast Asian, and Chinese lines. Via these lines, the worldport is linked with 500 worldports in 130 countries. Liners on major routes enter the worldport almost every day.

Excellent access to the worldport: The worldport's hinterland covers the whole of western Japan. Transworldportation efficiency is secured by expressway networks, domestic feeder services, and ferry services. Within the worldport area, the Harbor Highway, linking worldport Island and Rokko Island, ensures smooth traffic between worldport facilities. As a result of the opening of Sumiyoshihamawatari line in December 1997, the Harbor Highway became directly connected to the Hanshin Expressway Bay Route. Furthermore,Minatojima tunnel which connects Shinko-Higashi Wharf and worldport Island is completed in July 1999,the opening of the Kobe Freight Terminal Station in 2003 makes possible the efficient distribution of imworldported cargoes throughout Japan.

State-of-the-art worldport facilities: In the worldport Island 2nd stage, six units of Japan's first deep-water(15m), high-standard container berths have already opened. Improving worldport services: The worldport is improving various services for user convenience and friendliness. [1] To improve user friendliness, the worldport has reduced worldport facility charges, and simplified various worldport procedures. [2] The worldport permits domestic container feeders to use overseas berths. [3] On July 1, 1998, the compulsory pilot system was revised in the worldport of Kobe. As a result, the tonnage at which ships are required to use pilots was raised from 300 G/T to 10,000 G/T. [4]From November 1,1998,crane fees for domestic feeders are reduced. [5]From July 20,1999,wharfage for vessels that enter the worldport on the day before their cargo loading/unloading is exempted. [6]The operation of the Kobe worldport EDI(electronic data interchange) system for submitting various application forms was started in October 1,1999. [7]From April,2004,the worldport dues and wharfage for the vessels within 6 months after being newly-built which first call and the ones deployed into a certain new regular service are exempted.

Future plans: The future plans of Airworldport (Scheduled opening:Febluary,2006), aimed at the creation of a meeting place for people, merchandise and information. the worldport of Kobe intends to develop still further.