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		The history of Ishikari Bay New Port The history of Ishikari Bay New Port's construction dates from 1973, when the construction of an experimental groin was begun. Only seven months were needed to complete the 106 meter-long groin, constructed of rubble, as a result of non-stop work even in severe winter cold. Soon after its completion, however, the groin was buried underground as the foundation of East Wharf breakwater, and is no longer visible. Ishikari Bay New Port, located almost directly in the center of Hokkaido's Ishikari Bay facing the Sea of Japan, is the nearest port to Sapporo (about 15 km from the heart of Sapporo City), which is the political, economic, and cultural center of Hokkaido. The development of Ishikari Bay New Port area was based upon the Third Hokkaido Comprehensive Development Plan " approved by a decision of the Cabinet in July, 1970. Under the plan, the Ishikari Bay area, adjacent to Sapporo and the surrounding area in the center of Hokkaido, was considered to be a highly advantageous location for maximizing the existing distribution function for physical goods. To establish a new base for distribution and manufacturing in the region, therefore, construction of the port and the development of the immediate surrounding area were begun as a major project for the development of Hokkaido. In "Basic Plan of Development of the Ishikari Bay New Port Region" prepared by Hokkaido Development Bureau in 1972, the port to be constructed was outlined as a base capable of playing a critical role in accommodating increasing demand for materials in the central area of Hokkaido, and also in economic exchange with countries along the northern Pacific rim and with areas along the Sea of Japan.The construction of the port was regarded as a leading project to achieve long-term and significant development of Hokkaido, and a port and harbor plan based on the Basic Plan was approved in November 1972. More than twenty years later, in December 1997, a revised version of the port and harbor plan scheduled for completion in the latter half of 1998 was drawn up to adjust the ongoing construction to the actual situation and the future development of economy and society in Hokkaido.
		The arrival of the first ship On August 10, 1982, ten years after the start of construction,BLANCA RAINIER (gross tonnage: 2,602 tons) carrying approximately 3,500 tons of raw timber from Sakhalin arrived at the East Wharf. The next day, a grand memorial ceremony for 3,500 participants was held, and Ishikari Bay New Port took the first step as a gateway to the sea for the Sapporo metropolitan area. In the beginning, the port was administered solely by the Hokkaido government. After being designated as major port in April 1973, however, full-scale construction of the port was started as a project under the direct control of the national government. In April 1978, Hokkaido Prefecture, Otaru City, and Ishikari Town (presently the city of Ishikari) together formed Ishikari Bay New Port Authority, the new administrator of the port. Under the new administration system, the construction of port facilities has since been methodically carried out beginning with the East District. The lumber quaywall of the East Wharf became partially available for use in 1982, Bannaguro Wharf in the Central Fairway District also became partially available in 1988, and in February 1998, the fifth berth on each quaywall of the Bannaguro Wharf and the Tarukawa Wharf were put in use, and plans were made to improve the wharves further. As of March 2002, 19 of the 25 planned berths were completed and 16 are available for use. It was also designated as an immigration port in April and opened in June 1994. The customs house was established in July that year, and the port was designated as a wireless quarantine port. It was also designated as a plant protection port in April 1999, and as an animal quarantine port in April 2000. Furthermore, a regular freight container service was begun in July 1997 between our port and the port of Pusan, South Korea -- a leading hub port in Asia. Installed a gantry crane in the Bannaguro Wharf in December 2001, the loading and unloading of container cargo became more efficient and labor saving. Currently, two shipping companies operate efficient and systematic transportation with twice weekly container services. Active measures, such as port improvement works and further promotion of the port, are being taken in both the hardware and software aspects of the Ishikari Bay New Port, in order to familiarize the port to many people and to make it a major international trade port in the future. In April 2003,Ishikari Bay New Port area was authorized as a special ward for port physical distribution , which allows heavier weight transportation.It was also designated as a recycling oriented port , to serve as a base of the venous physical distribution network. Furthermore , in October 2003 , regular container ship service connecting with China and Korea was established. Efficient and well-planned transportation is available by two shipping companies including Korean , handing reguler services twice a week. We will continue to actively proceed to promote the area and improve the equipments and fascilities , both in hardwareware and software , to be a visitor-friendly port and key point to the international trade in time to come.
The opening of the Central Fairway In 1987, as the construction of the Central Fairway progressed, land-based drilling equipment was replaced by dredgers. On June 24, with removal of the remaining sand bank, an opening ceremony for the Central Fairway was held to celebrate its connection to the sea. Dredgers roaring to break through the sand banks came to symbolize the development of the Ishikari Bay New Port into a full-scale port. Ishikari Bay New Port at present
Year Events The Meiji Era (-1912) . Fangent, C. S.Make , Bunkichi Okazaki , Isamu Hiroi propose the idea of construction of new harbor in Ishikari Bay. 1939 . Hokkaido government proposes a Plan for Ishikari Port Improvement and Construction of an Industrial Area, but the plan is abandoned due to the deteriorating wartime situation. 1970 July The Cabinet approves the Third Hokkaido Comprehensive Development Plan, and construction of a new port and development of the immediate surroundings area. 1971 July Hokkaido revises the Regulations for Development Work on the Hokkaido Industrial Complex, and includes the Ishikari Bay New Port Area into the areas to be purchased. October Ishikari Bay New Port Area Development Liaison Council inaugurated. November Ishikari Bay New Port Area Development Planning Committee established. 1972 January Ishikari Development Co., Ltd. is reorganized as a third sector enterprise. August The Hokkaido prefectural assembly accepts reports from the Hokkaido Development Bureau and the Hokkaido Development Deliberative Council, and approves the Ishikari Bay New Port Area Development Fundamental Plan. October Ishikari Bay New Port Area receives authorization from the Minister for Transport. October Hokkaido announces that it will become the administrator of Ishikari Bay New Port. November The Ishikari Bay New Port Plan is approved by the Minister for Transport. 1973 January The construction of an experimental groin is begun. April The port is designated as major port. August The construction of East Wharf is begun. August The Ishikari Bay New Port Plan is published. 1974 May The construction of the Detached Breakwater is begun. 1975 April The alteration of the administrative boundary between the Otaru city and Ishikari Town is published. June The plan for reclamation of the East District's public access area is approved by the Ministry for Transport, and work is begun. 1976 November The land use plan for Ishikari Bay New Port Area is approved. December Ishikari Development Co., Ltd. begins the First Bannaguro Land Rezoning Project. 1977 October The Ishikari Bay New Port Area Harbor Council is established. 1978 February The construction of North Breakwater is begun. April Ishikari Bay New Port Authority is established. June Ishikari Development Co., Ltd. begins distribution of land lots. 1980 June The plan for reclamation work of the East District's public access area is approved by the Ministry for Transport, and work is begun (Lumber port section). 1982 May Reclamation work of the East District's public access area is partially completed (Lumber port section) July The area of the harbor is designated based on the Harbor Regulation Law. August The lumber quaywall of the East Wharf becomes partially available (-10 m, 1 berth). The first ship arrives. September The Ishikari Bay Fishing Industry Operations Safety Fund Association is established. 1983 October The partial alteration of the plan for the East District's small fishing boats basin is published (minor alteration). October Reclamation work on the Central District's public access area is begun. October Excavation work on the Central Fairway is begun. 1985 January Partial alteration of the plan for the Bannaguro District small boats basin is published (minor alteration). May The waterfront area is designated based on the City Planning Law. 1988 March The Bannaguro Wharf quaywall becomes partially available (-10 m, 2 berths). June The land utilization plan for Ishikari Bay New Port Area is revised. July Bannaguro Public Shed No. 1 becomes available. August The Ishikari Bay New Port Plan is revised. 1989 January The port is designated as specially designated port for lumber import based on the Plant Protection Law. 1989 August The construction of the Tarukawa Wharf quaywall is begun. 1990 August The first LPG tanker docks at the Central Wharf. October The annual freight handled in the port exceeds 1 million tons. 1991 October The Tarukawa Wharf quaywall becomes partially available (-10 m, 1 berth). October Tarukawa Public Shed No. 1 becomes available. 1992 August The office of Ishikari Bay New Port Authority is relocated to the Sapport Center Plaza. 1994 April The port is designated as an immigration port based upon the Immigration-Control and Refugee Recognition Act. June The port is designated as a licensed port based upon the Customs Law. July The port is designated as a wireless quarantine port based upon the Quarantine Law. 1995 November The annual freight handled in the port exceeds 2 million tons. 1996 February The Tarukawa Public Shed No. 2 becomes available. August The truck scale becomes available. October The first oil tanker docks at the Central Wharf. December Bannaguro Public Shed No. 2 is put into service. 1997 July Regularly scheduled container service between Ishikari Bay New Port and the Port of Pusan is inaugurated. December The Ishikari Bay New Port Plan is revised. 1998 July Ishikari Bay New Port web site opens. November 12-hour system is introduced for berthage and other charges. 1999 January Bannaguro Public Shed No. 3 is put into service. April Fumigation facility of Bannaguro Shed No. 3 is put into service. April Ishikari Bay New Port is designated as a plant quarantine port in accordance with the Plant Quarantine Act. June Ishikari Port Radio Station opens. June Frequency of regular container service between Ishikari Bay New Port and the Port of Pusan is increased to twice a week. 2000 April Ishikari Bay New Port is designated as an animal quarantine port in accordance with the Animal Infections Diseases Control Law. June The number of ocean liners that have entered the port reaches 1,000 (6 years and 1 month after the opening. The shortest span for any port in Hokkaido). October Regularly scheduled container service between Ishikari Bay New Port and the Port of Pusan is inaugurated. 2001 November The annual freight handled in the port exceeded 3 million tons. December A gantry crane became available. 2002 May The construction of a berth quay with a water depth of 14 meters , core equipment for multi purpose international terminal , is begun. December The port is designated as a port for import rice by Japan Food Agency. 2003 March Ishikari Development Co.,Ltd.’s reorganization plan is approved by Sapporo District Court. April The port is authorzed as a special ward for port physical distribution,based upon a Special Ward for Reconstruction. April The port is designated to recycling-oriented port by the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport. April The number of ocean liners that have entered the port reaches 2,000. October Regular container ship service between Ishikari Bay New Port , Korea , China and South-East Asia is inaugurated.