TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe with Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation (President: Takafumi Kido; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Kobe) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line; President & CEO: Yukikazu Myochin; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).

Following the phase 2 South Pier expansion and improvement work undertaken by Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation (scheduled for completion in 2025), MOL will add berth PC-14 and the land behind the terminal to its lease and expand Kobe International Container Terminal (KICT). MOL currently leases KICT and operates berths PC-15/16/17 along with Sankyu Inc., Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd., and Nickel & Lyons Ltd. The MoU also calls for "K" Line, which currently operates a container terminal on Rokko Island, to join KICT. After the completion of the expansion and improvement work, KICT will be the largest terminal in western Japan, handling about 40% of international container cargo at the Port of Kobe.

The expanded KICT will have a total wharf length of 1,750m, up from the current 1,050m, providing more flexible berth windows and streamlining connections for containers with other routes (transshipment). Furthermore, a Container freight station directly connected to the terminal and a logistics facility with an overhead crane that can move larger cargo, will be built on the land behind the terminal, offering one-stop service from loading of cargo containers to delivery to the terminal. MOL Group company Shosen Koun Co., Ltd. will operate these facilities, delivering convenient and competitive logistics services to customers throughout the group.