• One of only two non-domestic services to Kochi, Nine Provinces Feeder (NPF) makes a choice shipping alternative for exporters from the Prefecture
  • NPF offers an efficient and more sustainable Japan-Korea sea corridor
  • Offering Kochi exporters access to Asia, Europe, the United States, Oceania, and other locations around the world through Busan via the CMA CGM Group’s extensive network.

Today, CNC and the Port Promotion Division, Department of Public Works of the Kochi Prefecture Government celebrated the debut of the Nine Provinces Feeder (NPF) service at the port of Kochi in Japan. CNC is the Intra-Asia short sea specialist of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions.

One of only two non-domestic services to Kochi today, NPF makes a choice shipping alternative for exporters from the Prefecture. The first NPF voyage to Kochi has delivered fertilizers, textiles, metal, pulp and paper, and animal feed that are heading to the commercial and industrial zone of the Prefecture. From the port of Kochi, Kochi-manufactured tractors, slack lime, paperboard, silicon, and wood products will be loaded on the NPF service to Busan, Korea to be transhipped to their import markets across Asia and to England.

Navigating an efficient and more sustainable Japan-Korea sea corridor The weekly NPF service sails the Japan-Korea sea corridor, saving shippers from having to move cargo on trucks to and from a main seaport in Japan. As the NPF service stands out as efficient and more sustainable transportation, the regular service also brings certainty to shippers’ supply chains in Kochi.

The feeder service promises a fast 3-day Kochi-Busan transit. Export containers from Japan will be transhipped from Busan within Asia via CNC’s service network; and globally through CMA CGM’s shipping network.
The weekly NPF connects the ports of Japan and Korea with a service rotation of:

Busan – Hakata – Shibushi – Hososhima – Kochi – Oita – Moji – Hakata – Busan

Hideki UCHIDA, President of CMA CGM Japan said “CNC’s NPF service will be synonymous with efficiency, fast transit time, and access to market connectivity which are highly valued by our customers in Kochi. As part of the CMA CGM Group, we are committed to continually delivering in better ways, facilitating global trade, and taking cargo to places.”

Seiji HAMADA, Governor of Kochi Prefecture said, “We are thrilled that CNC has launched NPF as a regular service to the Kochi Prefecture. The new shipping service will connect Kochi to Korea where we will also gain access in Asia and to Europe, the United States, Oceania, and other locations around the world via the global shipping network of the CMA CGM Group. We are confident that the NPF service will not only enhance convenience for many local cargo owners but also enable the Kochi New Port in taking further steps as part of its ongoing development.”

“We look forward to deepening our partnership with the CMA CGM Group through the CNC NPF service. We endeavor to propel the regional economy forward by leveraging our strategic location in the Pacific Ocean and maximize Kochi New Port’s potential as an accessible import-export hub that links Shikoku to Southeast Asia.”