Ports & Harbors Bureau
Bureau Outline
The Osaka “Minato” Vision was adopted on November 25, 2020, to provide an easy-to-understand statement of the direction that will guide the Osaka Ports and Harbors Bureau’s operations going forward. Subsequently, based on the government's move toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the vision was revised in June 2022, reflecting efforts to form carbon neutral ports (CNPs) (Port of Osaka, Port of Sakai-Semboku, and Hannan Port).
The Osaka Ports and Harbors Bureau will, based on the characteristics of the Port of Osaka and the Osaka Prefectural Government's ports, utilize the strengths and complement the weaknesses of all ports. We will divide the functions to achieve an optimal allocation for the development of a vivid trading hub for people, goods and actions at the Port of Osaka as well as the Prefectural Ports, that provides a secure and reliable Harbor environment, that supports the prosperity of the hinterland and the development of the economy of Kansai.
- Collecting cargo: “collecting”, Creating new cargo: “Creating”, Strengthen the functionality of harbor facilities: “Strengthen the international competitiveness”
- Strengthen the function of the Port of Osaka as a container logistics hub, etc.
- Improving efficiency and productivity of container terminals
- Strengthen function of domestic RORO ships, etc. in Port of Sakai-Semboku
- Development of strategic port sales
- Strengthen functions as used car export hub
- Maintaining and strengthening the functions of Osaka Bay as an energy hub
- Development of the Tempozan Wharf and enchancing the menu of sightseeing activities
- Creating a maritime traffic network at Yumeshima to build up an international tourism hub
- Creation of spaces for activity and relaxation in line with coastal communities’ urban development programs
- Measures to provide seismic resistance and prevent liquification of seawalls in preparation for a Nankai megathrust earthquake; measures to prevent flooding in the event of a record-breaking typhoon
- Promotion of measures by coastal communities, for example formulation of high-tide timelines
- Implementation of a preventive approach to maintenance management
- Formation of Osaka Ports’ Carbon Neutral Ports
- Promotion of use by ships that have been certified under the ocean and port environmental program (Green Award)
- Development and maintenance of water and oceanside spaces; involvement of residents in the creation of beautiful ports and coastal areas
- Mutual acceptance of application procedures and provision of information about the availability of port facilities
- Establishment of a Growth Strategy Department in April 2021
- Establishment of crisis management structures, formulation of action plans related to the restoration of service, and encouragement of mutually complementary facility use
In Japan, the ports handle 99.6% of all imports and exports and are home to many of the industries that account for approximately 60% of the CO2 emissions. Therefore, to decarbonize and to create “carbon neutral ports” (CNP), the ports are upgrading their functions.
The goal of CNP is zero greenhouse gas emissions in the ports, which are nodes of the international logistics and industrial bases, through developing an environment that facilitates the import and storage of large quantities of stable, inexpensive hydrogen and fuel ammonia, and through collaboration with the coastal industries that are concentrated in the area.
In order to realize CNP, the Osaka Ports and Harbors Bureau, in cooperation with three ports (Port of Osaka, Port of Sakai-Semboku, and Hannan Port), has formulated a CNP Formation Plan that includes the current status of greenhouse gas emissions, reduction targets, initiatives to achieve these targets, and a roadmap. In response to the Act on Partial Amendment of the Port and Harbor Act (enforced in December 2022), we will shift the CNP Formation Plan to the Port and Harbor Decarbonization Plan. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from the FY2013 levels by FY2030 and achieve carbon neutrality at ports in Osaka by FY2050.