2.1 International Container Hubs（ICHs）
Purpose
By maintaining and increasing port calls on major international shipping routes to Japan, we aim to improve the bussiness environment, strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese industry and create employment and income.
According to the "Follow-up on the Final Report of the Policy Promotion Committee for International Container Hubs" (March 2019), the government aims to realize International Container Hubs （ICHs） satisfied with three requirements: cargo volume, cost and convenience. With a policy goal of contribution to the supply chain management for companies running in Japan, the government sets the target of that ICHs secure direct routes of multiple direction and multi-frequency within approximately five years, starting from 2019. Taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the government also works on the enhancements of "AI terminals which support workers" and the establishment of an efficient system of logistics with security to improve the efficiengy of terminal gate processing. The government will also continue to promote the ICHs policy, which consists of the three pillars of cargo collection, cargo creation, and enhanced global competitiveness, through various efforts such as special measures to reduce the burden of tonnage taxes and special tonnage taxes on container ship calling to the ports of ICHs in order to reduce the port entry cost and promotion of cargo collection in close cooperation with port operatingcompanies .
(1) “Cargo Collection” at ICHs
To secure direct routes of multiple direction and multi-frequency at ICHs, it is necessary to collect many cargos from not only various areas in Japan but also overseas regions such as Southeast Asia for huge demand of cargos caused by the high economic growth in the regions. In light of this, the govevrnment make efforts such as enhancing the feeder route networks for cargo collection from domestic/foregin areas.
(2) "Cargo creation" through industrial concentration to ICHs
To create demand for container cargo and, thereby, strengthen the functionality of logistics hubs by attracting and concentrating logistics facilities equipped with distribution processing functions to the vicinity of the wharf, the government provides interest-free loans to private businesses that develop cargo handling facilities (sheds) or storage facilities (warehouses) with distribution processing functions.
(3) "Strengthening competitiveness" of ICHs
■Promoting the development and integrated operation of deep-water container terminals, etc.
With container vessels growing larger and larger in pursuit of economies of scale, the European service includes vessels in the over 24,000 TEU class, while the North American service sees vessels in the 8,000 to 12,000 TEU class at ports of call.
The government will promote the development of container terminals, etc. with international standard depths and spaces at International Container Hubs to receive large vessels in major international shipping routes.
Since MC4 was put into service in August 2020 at Minami Honmoku Wharf Container Terminal in Yokohama Port, the government promoted the integrated operation of MC1 to MC4 to improve convenience and productivity by allowing the two major alliances to use the terminal in a flexible manner and the integreated operation was started from April of 2021.
■ Increase in the size of container vessels
■ Productivity Revolution at Container Terminals - Towards the Realization of AI Terminals Which Support Human Beings –
The government will promote efforts to realize "AI terminals which support human beings" with a favorable working environment and the world's highest level of productivity at Japan's container terminals.
［Promoting the introduction of remotely operated RTGs]
Given escalating concerns about future shortages of port workers due to the declining and aging of the labor force, it is necessary to improve working environments to secure the future port labor force.
Furthermore, with port call of bigger container vessels, z the number of handling containers per port call has been increasing , because of the incresing size of the vessels. So, the berthing time of contaier vessels become longer. The container terminals are required improvement of cargo handling capacity and reduction of the time for cargo handling.
In order to solve these problem, MLIT supports to introduce remotely operated RTGs (*).
* RTG: Rubber Tired Gantry crane
Cargo handling operations after introduction of remotely operated RTGs
- Allowing RTGs to be operated remotely from a remote operations room, (i.e., in a control building) will improve the working environment.
RTG operators can work comfortably in an air-conditioned room. This will have the added benefit of reducing risks form occupational accidents.
Operators don’t get in RTGs directly, they can take restroom and other breaks easily.
[Establishment of a secure, contactless digital logistics system]
Information required for entry/exit control (e.g., identification), which has conventionally been verified in person, is input and confirmed remotely and without personal contact while ensuring security through the linkage of Cyber Port, CONPAS, and the Access Control Information System. Thus, efficient cargo loading/unloading will be realized, which is also useful as an infectious disease countermeasure in the post-corona era.
Also, remote terminal operations will be realized through "AI terminals which support human beings."
