News
The number of enterprises that advance into Japan's non ? vessel - operating common carrier (NVOCC) market after registering as oceangoing forwarders or obtaining licenses is on the rise.
In 2010, a total of 55 companies were approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) as Class 1 and Class 2 forwarders, a notable increase from the previous year, when approximately 40 businesses were qualified.
Demand for forwarding and NVOCC services is growing more rapidly than ever as globalization is expanding among shippers, according to the ministry.
Oceangoing forwarders are divided into Class 1 and Class 2. Those belonging to the former group are responsible for mainline transport by sea, while those of the latter group are engaged in door-to-door transport that includes trucking services to and from ports for collecting and delivering shipments. To become Class 1 forwarders, business operators are required to register themselves with relevant authorities, and to become Class 2 forwarders, they need to have licenses.
The number of firms that registered as Class 1 forwarders, obtained licenses for Class 2 forwarders and altered their transport service modes in 2010 exceeded 60.
The MLIT said that many transporters are becoming Class 2 oceangoing forwarders to live up to the diversifying logistics needs of shippers, who prefer one-stop door-to-door transport that links Japan and other countries in through-transit services and includes third-party-logistics (3PL) services.
