Abstract
The Offshore Cargo Operation (OCO) in the Port of Kobe is a unique cargo transfer style for naked chemical substances including flammable dangerous goods, palm and tallow oil, etc. We examined imported and exported chemical substances between 1989 and 2007. We also investigated which countries were the majors exporting to Japan, and which were the principle discharge ports in Japan. This, after they were transferred by way of OCO in 1995 and 2007, and vice versa was examined. As a result, the export and import of pure chemicals to and from foreign countries has reduced gradually since 1995. The value in 2007 showed 307,000 and 440,000 M/T, respectively. These values correspond to 42.0% and 50.8% to those of 1995. The United States of America was the major country to export chemicals to Japan in 1995 and in 2007. It became obvious that the OCO still plays an important role for our local chemical industries located near the smaller ports, such as Himeji, Tokuyama, and Yokkaichi, etc. This is because the domestic shipping can supply large amounts to the chemical industries located at the waterfront and/or carry out from them to export by way of OCO.
