Japan is continuing to enhance its ferrous scrap export capability at domestic ports, as it targets to boost exports to southeast and south Asia.
The transport ministry last month approved a plan by Sakaiminato port in Tottori prefecture to develop a new quay with a 230m long container berth and a depth of 12m. The planned refurbishment is targeted to reorganise port berths and free up an existing 270m, 13m depth berth for a 30,000 deadweight tonne (dwt) bulk carrier carrying ferrous scraps for export. The project is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.
Sakaiminato is targeting to boost total metal scrap exports from 11,000t in the April 2019-March 2020 fiscal year to 100,000t by 2033-34. Ferrous scraps are currently loaded on a 5,000dwt vessel using a 185m, 10m depth berth at Sakaiminato.
The ministry has been working to lift ferrous scrap export capability at key domestic ports and tap the growing market in Asia, in the face of rising self-sufficiency in ferrous scrap in China and South Korea — Japan’s traditional export markets. A number of domestic ports are seeking to develop deeper quays, targeting to use larger vessels for loading of ferrous scraps at multiple ports for joint exports.
The ministry has also endorsed a plan by Muroran port in Hokkaido to integrate the port’s scrap yard and develop a new 230m, 12m depth berth to use a 30,000dwt vessel for exports. The port currently uses a 10m depth quay where a 30,000dwt bulk carrier can only be half loaded because of the draft limitations.
Japan’s ferrous scrap exports in 2020 rose to an 11-year high to 9.39mn t, with Vietnam replacing South Korea as the main destination.
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