KUSUHARA Transportation

What KUSUHARA Transportation does

KUSUHARA Transportation Co., Ltd. (楠原輸送株式会社) is a privately held, family-controlled Japanese integrated logistics provider headquartered in Yokohama, founded in 1947 and operating for approximately 78 years. The company delivers door-to-door logistics services across port operations (stevedoring, crane operations up to 130t, ship agency), customs brokerage (Yokohama and Tokyo Customs), trucking (576-vehicle fleet including Japan's largest liquefied ammonia tanker fleet and Class 1–5 dangerous goods specialization), warehousing (approximately 30,000 tsubo / ~99,000m² of self-owned bonded space), distribution processing, 3PL, international freight forwarding, and corporate moving. It is the first company in Japan to hold all three AEO certifications — Customs Broker (2010), Warehouse Operator (2008), and Transportation Operator (2012) — giving it regulatory advantages for bonded cargo handling.

KUSUHARA serves large enterprise customers in manufacturing, food, chemicals, non-ferrous metals, steel, film, paper, automotive parts, and electronics, alongside government clients executing Japanese ODA project cargo to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. International operations extend through Kusuhara Thailand Co., Ltd. (Bangkok and Rayong), Yusen Logistics & Kusuhara Lanka (Sri Lanka JV), Advantis Kusuhara Sedate Myanmar (Myanmar JV), Kusuhara Qamar Naz (Bangladesh), and a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City. The business is wholly owned and managed by the Hanajima family, with no disclosed external capital; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

The underlying technology model combines physical infrastructure (dedicated Daikoku Pier L-8 berth at -12m depth, AEO-certified bonded warehouses with 24/7 surveillance, specialized tankers, and Class 1–5 dangerous goods handling capability) with regulatory assets (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, 45001, FSSC 22000, G Mark, and Port SDGs Partner status). Revenue is generated through project-based contracts and recurring storage subscriptions across port transportation, trucking, warehousing, customs clearance, and international freight forwarding. Sales are direct-enterprise across 20+ Japanese offices and international subsidiaries; pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

KUSUHARA Transportation

Legal name

楠原輸送株式会社 (KUSUHARA Transportation Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://kusuhara.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

KUSUHARA Transportation is a privately held, Yokohama-headquartered Japanese integrated logistics provider (founded 1947, ~1,943 employees) offering door-to-door port operations, trucking, AEO-certified bonded warehousing, customs clearance, international freight forwarding, and moving services to enterprise manufacturers, government/ODA clients, and ASEAN trade.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Port and Freight Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Support Activities for Transportation (488), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Intermodal Drayage Coordination & Port/Rail Ramp Transfers (TLACAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Truck & Trailer Parking/Storage Yards (TLALAKAB), Port/Terminal Vehicle Holding & Overflow Lots (TLALAKAE)

Keywords

• Port logistics services
• Customs clearance brokerage
• Bonded warehousing 3PL
• International freight forwarding
• Heavy cargo transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama-shi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Transportation / Stevedoring: Cargo handling operations at ports including on-board and coastal cargo handling, crane operations, yard operations, and ship agency services. Revenue generated through service fees for cargo handling at major Japanese ports (Yokohama, Tokyo, Chiba).
2. Trucking / Land Transportation: Operation of a fleet of 576 vehicles including special tankers (liquefied ammonia, liquefied CO2, liquid nitrogen, edible oils), container chassis, and heavy-lift trailers across Japan's Keihin, Keiyo, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai regions. Revenue from freight charges per shipment.
3. Warehousing and Logistics: Storage services (deposit and space rental), logistics outsourcing (3PL), cargo handling, distributive processing, bonded management of import/export goods, security management. Facilities include bonded warehouses at major ports.
4. Customs Clearance: Proxy services for customs clearance, tax payment, and all customs declaration procedures necessary for import/export. Licensed by both Yokohama and Tokyo Customs with nationwide service through partner network.
5. International Freight Forwarding / ODA Project Cargo: International integrated transport services including forwarding, NVOCC operations, cross-border transport to Laos/Myanmar, and project cargo transport for Japanese ODA projects in Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
6. Moving Services: Domestic and international moving services for corporate relocations, office/factory moves, and household goods. Services include packing, customs clearance for international moves, storage, and door-to-door delivery.
7. Real Estate Leasing / Logistics Real Estate: Logistics real estate advisory and brokerage matching customers with optimal warehouses based on location, storage requirements, functionality, timing, cost, and specific use cases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KUSUHARA Transportation provides integrated door-to-door logistics services across four main business lines: (1) Port Transportation including stevedoring, ship agency, crane operations, and yard operations at major Japanese ports; (2) Truck Transportation with a 576-vehicle fleet including special tankers and heavy-lift trailers; (3) Warehousing and Logistics with ~30,000 tsubo of AEO-certified bonded warehouse space; and (4) International Logistics including customs clearance, freight forwarding, NVOCC, and ODA project cargo. The company sells primarily to large enterprise manufacturers, food/chemical companies, and government ODA clients through direct field sales.

Product overview

KUSUHARA Transportation is a comprehensive logistics company offering integrated 'door-to-door' logistics solutions under a unified service structure. The core portfolio includes four main business areas: International Logistics (handling cargo to/from Asia, Middle East, Africa with ODA/project cargo capabilities), Port Transportation (ship agency, cargo handling, crane operations), Truck Transportation (diverse fleet including tankers and special vehicles), and Warehousing/Real Estate (AEO-certified bonded warehouses, distribution processing). The company provides a full suite of logistics services including customs clearance, in-plant operations, and third-party logistics (3PL). A subsidiary in Thailand (Kusuhara Thailand) extends services across Southeast Asia including customs brokerage, forwarding, NVOCC, cross-border transport, and project cargo. An affiliated construction company (Kusuhara Kensetsu) offers complementary building services including large-scale repairs, demolition, scaffolding, roofing/waterproofing, and exterior painting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kusuhara Thailand Co., Ltd. International logistics subsidiary based in Bangkok, Thailand, handling customs clearance, forwarding, NVOCC, cross-border transport, project cargo, warehousing, and domestic transport in Thailand.
• Kusuhara (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Products and services

• Port Transportation (港湾運送事業)
• Truck Transportation (トラック輸送事業)
• Warehousing and 3PL (倉庫・物流不動産事業)
• Customs Clearance (通関)
• International Logistics and ODA/Project Cargo (国際物流 / ODA・プロジェクト貨物)
• Moving Services (引越)
• In-Plant Operations (構内作業)
• Distribution Processing (流通加工)
• Logistics Real Estate Brokerage (物流不動産)
• Crane Operations (クレーン作業)

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer consolidation of import DC and domestic TC resulted in reduced logistics costs and improved delivery efficiency
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kusuhara Thailand Co., Ltd. (楠原タイランド社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2013Wholly-owned subsidiary established in Thailand in June 2013 with capital of THB 6,000,000. Headquartered in Bangkok with a warehouse facility in Rayong (opened May 2022, ~19,000m² site). Provides international logistics including customs clearance, forwarding, NVOCC, cross-border transport to Laos/Myanmar, project transport, domestic trucking, and warehousing in Thailand. ISO 9001:2015 certified for warehousing and logistics.
• Yusen Logistics & Kusuhara Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. (スリランカ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture company in Sri Lanka established February 1990, located in Colombo. Handles ODA cargo and general trade (tea, apparel products) from Sri Lanka to Japan and third countries with integrated multimodal transport services.
• Advantis Kusuhara Sedate Myanmar (Pvt) Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture in Myanmar (Yangon) handling logistics operations in Myanmar as part of KUSUHARA's Southeast Asian network.
• Kusuhara Qamar Naz Ltd. (Bangladesh)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate company in Bangladesh with office in Chattogram, handling logistics operations including customs clearance and transport services in Bangladesh.
• Kusuhara New Transportation Co., Ltd. (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated company in Thailand operating transportation services, listed as one of the overseas affiliated companies.
• Yahata Shoji Co., Ltd. (八幡商事株式会社)minorOthersAffiliate company listed as part of the KUSUHARA group of companies.
• Yokoni Service Co., Ltd. (ヨコニサービス株式会社)minorOthersAffiliate company listed as part of the KUSUHARA group of companies.
• Kusuharakensetsu Co., Ltd. (楠原建設株式会社)minorOthersAffiliate construction company established November 1993 with capital of ¥30,000,000. Headquartered in Yokohama. Specializes in large-scale building repairs, waterproofing, painting, demolition, and仮設 (temporary works) construction. Shares management with KUSUHARA (chairman Takaaki Hanajima).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Nippon Express Holdings: Japan's largest integrated logistics provider, offering freight forwarding, warehousing, moving, and heavy haul across global networks—directly comparable on the customs/trucking/warehousing triad, though at materially larger scale.
• Kintetsu World Express (now Kintetsu Express): Japanese-origin international freight forwarder offering forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and project cargo worldwide—a comparable international multimodal forwarding peer, especially relevant given KUSUHARA's Sri Lanka JV relationship.
• Hitachi Transport System / LOGISTEED: Large Japanese 3PL with comprehensive freight forwarding, warehousing, moving and supply-chain services; overlaps with KUSUHARA's enterprise logistics offering for major manufacturers.
• Kintetsu Express (Kintetsu Express Co., Ltd.): Japanese logistics operator with broad trucking, warehousing and moving operations, including specialised heavy haul—overlapping with KUSUHARA on domestic trucking, household moving and project cargo.

Direct peers

• Sankyu Inc. Japanese integrated logistics company focused on port cargo handling, warehousing, heavy haul and international freight forwarding with strong international presence—overlaps KUSUHARA's port, warehousing, and ODA project cargo profile.
• Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd. International forwarding and contract logistics arm of NYK Group with strong ASEAN network—including a direct JV (Yusen Logistics & Kusuhara Lanka) with KUSUHARA; comparable on international forwarding, NVOCC, customs and 3PL.
• Kamigumi Co., Ltd. Japanese port operations specialist with stevedoring, warehousing and trucking at major Japanese ports; the closest direct competitor to KUSUHARA's port transportation, bonded warehousing and in-plantation operations.
• Senko Group Holdings: Major Japanese logistics group providing international forwarding, warehousing, moving and 3PL services; comparable on the domestic truck/warehouse triad and moving services portfolio.
• Utoc Corporation: Japanese port logistics specialist handling container terminals, bonded warehouses and customs at major ports—a near-direct competitor on Yokohama/Tokyo port stevedoring and warehousing.

Regional players

• Maruzen Showa Unyu Co., Ltd. Mid-sized Japanese logistics firm focused on warehousing, distribution processing and trucking—particularly comparable on the Kanto/Keihin bonded warehousing and 3PL operations where KUSUHARA is concentrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kusuhara_pr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9aBi8LmGuh1q9Cm7YXaDuw/featured
• Instagraminstagram.com/kusuhara_transportation.co

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KUSUHARA Transportation