Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) will begin operations at the expanded Kobe International Container Terminal (KICT) from 1 September 2026, strengthening its terminal presence at one of Japan’s key container ports.
The carrier will operate at PC14-17, located on the southern pier of the Port Island Stage 2 area at the Port of Kobe. The facilities form part of KICT and were developed as part of the terminal’s expansion and functional enhancement programme.
K Line’s move follows a basic agreement signed in June 2023 with Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) covering the relocation and integrated use of the expanded terminal facilities. K Line is moving its operations from the RC4-5 container terminals at Rokko Island to the new PC14-17 facilities.
The expanded terminal is designed to accommodate larger containerships, while providing greater flexibility in berth arrangements and improving handling options for transshipment cargo. K Line said the upgraded facilities will enhance operational efficiency and enable it to respond more effectively to customer requirements.
With K Line joining the expanded KICT operation, the terminal will become one of the largest container facilities in western Japan. It is expected to handle nearly 40% of Kobe Port’s foreign-trade container volumes.
Nitto Total Logistics, a K Line Group company, will operate the terminal facilities. The group also plans to address growing customer demand for digitalisation and environmental initiatives through the expanded operation.
The relocation is expected to strengthen Kobe’s ability to handle larger vessels and improve its competitiveness as an international container hub. For K Line, the expanded terminal provides additional capacity and operational flexibility to support its container shipping network in Japan and across Asia.