Taiwanese containerline Wan Hai Lines is moving deeper into Japanese port infrastructure with the acquisition of Terminal C9 at Osaka Port, spending about $87m to strengthen its core intra-Asia network.
The Taipei-headquartered carrier said in a Taiwan Stock Exchange filing that its board approved the purchase last week. The deal covers the right-of-use asset for the C9 container terminal and related facilities at Osaka Port, with Wan Hai partnering with Mitsui Warehouse Port & Transport.
The asset spans roughly 129,959 sq m and carries a total value of about $86.8m, according to independent estimates. Wan Hai said the move is aimed at boosting operational autonomy, improving terminal efficiency and securing cargo capacity on key Japan–Taiwan routes.
Osaka is one of Japan’s major container gateways, and the C9 terminal sits within the Sakishima (Nanko) district, the port’s main container logistics hub. The area handles the bulk of Osaka’s Asia-facing trade, particularly services linking Japan with Southeast Asia and China.
Terminal C9 is one of several berths at Sakishima, which also includes C1 to C4 and C8. The terminals are operated by Hanshin Port and are equipped with modern cranes, container yards and nearby logistics facilities, including the Nanko International Container Center.
Wan Hai’s control over terminal capacity would help lift schedule reliability and streamline port operations, a growing priority for carriers focused on short-haul Asian trades.
The acquisition builds on the Wan Hai’s earlier investments in Japan, including its lease of the Honmoku D4 terminal in Yokohama and give the carrier a stronger foothold in two of Japan’s key container ports.
Wan Hai, ranked 11th globally by capacity according to Alphaliner, is best known for its intra-Asia operations and is widely regarded as one of the largest players in the regional container market. Japan–Taiwan services form a core part of that network. Other carriers calling at the C9 terminal include Yang Ming, Interasia and CK Line.
AloJapan.com