News
Chairman Masami Kubo of the Japan Harbor Transportation Association (JHTA) held a press conference yesterday, commenting on a Japan-Europe direct service that will remain in operation and labor shortages in the port and harbor transport business.
The continuation of Japan-Europe services is good for shippers and the harbor transport sector, he said, adding that for the Port of Kobe, in particular, it is great to continue to serve not only the Europe service but a U.S. service as well.
CMA CGM launched the Ocean Rise Express (OCR) on the Japan/China-Europe trade in April. With Ocean Network Express (ONE) withdrawing from the route, it will be the only service to directly link Japan with Europe. The French carrier also runs the Chesapeake Bay Express (CBE) service, which calls Kobe. On a weekly schedule, it is the only service from Japan to the U.S. East Coast.
As for labor shortages, Kubo said he wants serious efforts to be made on automation, remote work, and mechanization. Labor shortages are more serious at local ports and must be addressed with mechanization, he said. However, he continued, local ports would have to make huge investments. New schemes would, therefore, be needed, such as support from the government of Japan and local port consolidation.
