Outline
Wakayama Shimotsu Port is one of the Specially Designated Major Ports and has long flourished since the Edo period as a port of call for ships that transported rice tax to feudal provinces in Shikoku Island. The port hosts firms for such industries as metals and energy resources, and also supports commodity distribution over wide regions, with ferries connecting with Tokushima in Shikoku Island, as well as container vessels that travel between the port and such cities as Busan and Kobe.
Wakayama Shimotsu Port
History of Development and Usage
| 1930 | Wharf for large vessels was constructed. Oil tankers berthed the port. |
| 1938 | Shimotsu Oil Factory of Maruzen Petrochemical Co, Ltd. began operations. |
| 1941 | Wakayama Plant of Tonen General Sekiyu K.K began operations. |
| 1951 | The port was designated as one of the Major Ports. |
| 1956 | Nankai Steamship opened Kia Route (between Wakayama and Komatushima). |
| 1957 | Construction of Wakayama North Port started. |
| 1965 | Wakayama Shimotsu Port was designated one of the Specially Designated Major Ports. Kainan Oil Factory of Fuji Kosan Co., Ltd began operations. |
| 1967 | Reclamation Project of Wakayama South Port (lumber yard) was completed. |
| 1984 | Wakayama North Port Reclamation Project of the Industrial Area 1 of Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd started. Friendship Port Agreement was signed up with Qindao Port of China. |
| 1994 | World Resort Expo was held in Wakayama Marina City. |
| 1995 | Regular service started for container vessels between Wakayama Shimotsu Port and Busan Port started. |
| 2001 | International Container Terminal was opened in Nishihama District. |
Breakdown items of freight (2009)
