News / Japanese exporters to pay more for long-haul sea freight as exports fade

Japanese shippers have to rely more on transhipments for long-haul sea freight, as mainline operators are making fewer port calls in the country.

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) estimated that the number of ocean-going vessel calls at the main ports will be 7% lower year-on-year, marking a third consecutive year of decline.

Mainline operators have assessed that given the logistical bottlenecks and declining cargo volumes to and from Japan, it is more feasible to reduce calls there, while ...