The sister port relationship between Fremantle and Nagoya was established on 19 April 1983 to promote friendship and understanding between the ports, and between the nations of Australia and Japan, through cultural, economic, technical and personal exchange.

Our association with the Port of Nagoya is one we greatly value. In the past 24 years there have been many contacts between representatives of the two ports, particularly in 1997 when Nagoya celebrated its 90^th anniversary and Fremantle its centenary. The sister port relationship continues to be a rewarding one.

Nagoya, like Fremantle, is a working port that serves a vast hinterland and is a crucial gateway for world trade. Although the Port of Nagoya officially opened on 10 November 1907, the history of the port dates back to 1601, when the vicinity was designated one of the 53 stages of the Tokaido, a major national highway of that time. The birthplace of the port was a ferry landing called Miya no Watashi that led to the famous Atsuta Shrine. It is now located four kilometres from Garden Pier, where the port authority headquarters are located. Over the past four centuries, the Port of Nagoya has developed into one of the major ports of the world.

Nagoya is the third largest container port in Japan, with 2.75 million standard containers in 2006; however, it is Japan’s number one port in terms of total cargo value, handling cargo worth 14.9 trillion JPY (121 billion USD). It holds the position as the nation’s top port in total cargo throughput, with 211 million tonnes.

The trade link between our two ports continues, with a combined import-export volume of 112,293 tonnes in 2006-07. Imports from Nagoya this year ranged from agricultural and industrial machinery to rubber manufactures, and more than 24,000 new motor vehicles. Our exports to Nagoya included wheat, malt, mineral sands, salt and ice-cream.

While this trade is very important to Fremantle Ports, we believe the strong and long-lasting relationship we have forged with Nagoya is equally important. The bonds of friendship are real and warm, and we look forward to continuing this important and meaningful relationship.