Japanese promote efficiency
The Japanese Transport Ministry is to introduce three pilot projects aimed at streamlining container handling. Five ports are under consideration as being suitable locations for the trials, these being Tokyo-Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka-Kobe, Kita-Kyushu and Fukuoka.
At present, container terminals at these ports are divided into completely separate berth operations, often managed by totally distinct stevedoring outfits employing a bewildering variety of loading and handling systems. As part of the new scheme, all these operations will be integrated with the aim of driving down costs by eliminating unnecessary functional duplication.
Automatic loading systems are also promised to help reduce quayside handling costs while distribution times for incoming containers are to be cut from 3-4 days to just 24 hours, mirroring similar efficiencies in Singapore.
The changes are due to take place as from next summer.
Handling charges, it is believed, can be cut by up to 30%, bringing Japanese ports in line with regional rivals which have lifted much traffic from Japan over the last 20 years reducing many ports to feeder status as a result of high costs.
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