Hankyu Ferry

In 1964, Japan’s coastal shipping industry faced several challenges, including the enactment of the Coastal Shipping Business Act and the Coastal Shipping Association Act, the increase in long-distance trucking following the opening of the Meishin Expressway, and rising labor costs and shortages among dockworkers. In response, Toyoshu Iriya, president of Kanko Kaiun (now Kanko Kisen), proposed modernizing maritime transport through the use of ferries, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, or container ships as part of a “sea bypass” concept.^[2]

Since cargo handling costs were placing a strain on company operations, he chose ferries, which could significantly reduce handling expenses by allowing trucks to be loaded directly onto vessels. In November of the same year, a Long-Distance Ferry Research Department was established within the company.^[3]

At the time, no precedent existed for long-distance car ferry routes in Japan, and there was skepticism about the project’s feasibility. To verify profitability, the company conducted field surveys of truck traffic at Sumaura Park in Kobe and near the Kanmon Tunnel exit, supplemented by data from the Land Transport Bureau and Japanese National Railways. The survey results exceeded expectations, confirming sufficient demand for long-distance ferry service.

Hankyu Ferry began operations in 1968, initially using its own trucks to fill empty space on the car deck. With the launch of its second vessel, Dairoku Hankyu, the company established daily service between Kobe and Kokura. Truck traffic increased rapidly, and the company became profitable within six months of launching operations.^[3] In 1973, Meimon Car Ferry and Taiyo Ferry (later merged in 1984 to form Meimon Taiyo Ferry) opened a parallel route, beginning long-term competition that continues today.

For detailed and updated information, refer to the official website.^[6]

• 
  Hankyu Ferry Terminal at Shinmoji.
• 
  Hankyu Ferry Terminal at Kobe.
• 
  Hankyu Ferry Terminal at Izumiotsu.

Former routes

• Kobe Port – Kanda Port (1975–1980; inherited from Nishinihon Ferry)^[7]

• 
  The former ferry terminal at Kokura.

Planned routes

• Kobe Port – Shimonoseki Port – Kokura Port (initial plan at company founding)^[8]
• Osaka Nanko – Hakata Port (1970s proposal)^[9]

The funnel mark features a thin line on top representing han (half) and a circle on the bottom representing kyu (ball), together symbolizing Hankyu.

The current livery is beige with light blue lines on the bow and stern of the hull, a single blue line on the front half, and a double blue line on the rear half that forms a U-shape when viewed from the port side. The blue Hankyu Ferry logo is placed at the center. This design has been used since theYamato (1st generation) and Tsukushi entered service in 2003.

Ship allocation by service is as follows (with exceptions during docking periods):

• Izumiotsu departures and arrivals: Izumi and Hibiki
• Kobe departures and arrivals: Settsu and Yamato

• Shin Nihonkai Ferry
• List of ferry operators in Japan