Yokohama to build container facilities
THE port of Yokohama plans to construct a container terminal capable of accommodating new-generation vessels with capacities of up to 6,000 TEUs (20 ft equivalent units).
The terminal, to be built on the reclaimed island of Minami Honmoku which has a total area of 216.9 hectares, will be ready for operation by 2000.
According to a Lloyd's List report, Masakazu Yakushiji was quoted as saying that the decision to build the terminal had been prompted by plans by P&O Containers to build ships of this size.
Speaking at the opening of the port of Yokohama's representative office in London, Mr Yakushiji said 56 hectares would be devoted to the container terminal itself, while the rest of the land would be used for storage, distribution and office space, and an air cargo terminal.
It will be 1,400 metres overall and will comprise four berths, equipped with three post-Panamax gantry cranes.
The pier-side will be dredged to a minimum depth of 15 metres and will be able to accommodate ships up to 60,000 gross tonnes.
The completion of the terminal may make the 6,000 TEU ship a reality as owners have been reluctant to order such vessels without the infrastructure at container terminals to handle them.
In 1992 Yokohama handled 26.9 million tons of containerised cargo compared with 25.43 million a year earlier.
