AICHI KAIUN

What AICHI KAIUN does

AICHI KAIUN is a privately held Japanese integrated logistics company founded in 1943 and headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It provides end-to-end maritime and land logistics services including international freight forwarding, customs clearance, port cargo handling, bonded warehousing, packaging, heavy and oversized cargo transport, coastal shipping, ship agency, and industrial waste processing. The company holds port business licenses at all major ports in Aichi Prefecture — a regulatory position shared by only one other firm nationally — and handles approximately 10% of Japan's national iron scrap throughput through its ports. Its proprietary AIL (Aikai Integrated Logistics) service delivers integrated biomass fuel supply chain management from Southeast Asian origins to domestic power plants, transporting roughly 130,000 tonnes annually and supplying fuel equivalent to power approximately 300,000 households.

The company operates through a network of nine domestic branches and wholly-owned subsidiaries in China (Shanghai, Dalian, Tianjin), Thailand (Bangkok, Chonburi), and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), enabling direct control over international cargo coordination, particularly for AIL biomass fuel flows. Operational technology assets include hybrid forklift systems that reduce CO2 emissions by 50% versus diesel, screw unloader equipment for biomass fuel handling at Gamagori Port, and modal shift transport (ferry and rail) achieving CO2 reductions of approximately 80–91% versus all-road haulage. Revenue is generated via transaction-based fees across nine distinct service streams, with customers spanning Chubu Region manufacturers (automotive, aerospace, steel, chemicals), power generation operators, shipping lines, and industrial waste generators. Key certifications include ISO9001, AEO Bonded Warehouse Operator (2008), AEO Certified Customs Broker (2016), Eco Action 21, and Nagoya/Handa SDGs Green Partners eco-office designations.

Strategic positioning emphasizes decarbonization logistics and circular economy participation, evidenced by co-investment in the 52,700kW Fukuyama Biomass Power Plant (2025), the solar panel recycling business with C.Energy (2023), participation in Aichi Prefecture's Circular Economy Promotion Project Team, and 100% renewable electricity at headquarters. Marketing and sales rely on direct enterprise engagement through dedicated CS (Customer Service) teams, supplemented by trade show presence at Mess Nagoya and BIOMASS EXPO. Pricing for most services is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the company announced a revision of customs clearance base fees effective April 2026.

Name

AICHI KAIUN

Legal name

愛知海運株式会社 (AICHI KAIUN CO.,LTD.)

Website

https://aikai.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AICHI KAIUN is a Nagoya-headquartered integrated port logistics company serving Chubu Region manufacturers, power generation operators, and shipping lines with customs clearance, bonded warehousing, heavy cargo handling, coastal shipping, and its proprietary AIL biomass fuel transport service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port and Integrated Logistics Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB), Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), Inland Container Depots (ICD) / Inland Ports (TLALAJAB), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL)

Keywords

• Port cargo handling
• International logistics services
• Customs clearance brokerage
• Heavy cargo transport
• Biomass fuel logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 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. International Logistics: Door-to-door international transport services including ocean freight, customs clearance, warehousing, packaging, and domestic delivery. Revenue generated through freight fees, handling charges, and service fees for integrated logistics coordination.
2. Port Cargo Handling (港湾荷役): Loading and unloading operations for bulk cargo, general cargo, containers, and heavy equipment at ports throughout Aichi Prefecture. Revenue from stevedoring fees and cargo handling service charges.
3. Customs Clearance (通関業): Customs brokerage services providing import/export customs declaration and regulatory compliance. Revenue from customs clearance service fees.
4. Warehousing and Storage (倉庫業務): Operation of commercial warehouses including bonded warehouses, temperature-controlled storage, and bulk cargo yards. Revenue from storage rental and handling fees.
5. Domestic Shipping (内航海運): Coastal shipping using company-owned vessels (general cargo ships, gatt boats) and ferry transport for domestic cargo movement. Revenue from freight charges per shipment.
6. Shipping Agency (船舶代理店): Ship agency services handling vessel scheduling, port entry/exit procedures, documentation (B/L), and coordination for shipping lines at Japanese ports. Revenue from agency fees.
7. Heavy Cargo Transport (重量物取扱): Specialized transport of oversized and heavy cargo including power plant equipment, bridge components, and industrial machinery via trailers, floating vessels, and specialized vehicles. Revenue from project-based transport fees.
8. Packaging (梱包業務): Custom packaging services for export goods including wooden cases, crates, skids, and cartons, including bonded-area packaging for customs efficiency. Revenue from packaging service fees.
9. Industrial Waste Handling (産業廃棄物): Intermediate treatment (crushing, classification, mixing) and collection/transport of industrial waste including slag and sludge, operating processing facilities at Gamagori Port. Revenue from waste treatment and transport fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AICHI KAIUN provides integrated port and logistics services across Aichi Prefecture, including international ocean freight forwarding, port cargo handling (bulk, general, container, and heavy cargo), customs clearance, warehousing, packaging, coastal shipping, heavy cargo transport, ship agency, and industrial waste processing. The company's flagship offering is the proprietary AIL (Aikai Integrated Logistics) service, which provides end-to-end biomass fuel supply chain management from Southeast Asian origins (Malaysia, Indonesia) to Japanese power plants, covering quality confirmation, vessel chartering, voyage management, port handling, storage, and final delivery.

Product overview

AICHI KAIUN is a comprehensive logistics company offering integrated shipping, port, and land transportation services. The company operates primarily through its core AIL (Aikai Integrated Logistics) service for end-to-end biomass fuel transport, alongside diversified services including international logistics, customs clearance, bulk cargo handling, warehouse operations, packaging, coastal shipping, heavy cargo handling, industrial waste processing, and ship agency services. The company maintains bases at all major ports in Aichi Prefecture and operates internationally in China (Shanghai, Dalian, Tianjin), Thailand, and Malaysia. Key differentiators include proprietary heavy equipment customization (over 100 units), specialized biomass fuel handling equipment (screw unloader), and environmental initiatives including modal shift to coastal shipping and renewable energy usage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIL (Aikai Integrated Logistics): A proprietary integrated logistics service covering the entire supply chain from overseas origin to domestic delivery, specifically developed for biomass fuel transport from Southeast Asia to Japan.

Products and services

• AIL (Aikai Integrated Logistics) Service End-to-end integrated logistics service for biomass fuel covering the entire supply chain from overseas origin (Malaysia, Indonesia) to domestic power plant delivery, including quality confirmation, vessel selection, COA chartering, schedule management, port handling, storage, and final delivery. Transports approximately 130,000 tons of biomass fuel annually, supplying power equivalent to ~300,000 households.
• International Logistics Export, import, and third-country trade logistics services including sea transport, warehousing, packing, assortment, picking, and truck delivery with door-to-door integrated transport solutions for enterprise customers.
• Import/Export Operations and Customs Clearance Comprehensive import/export planning and customs clearance services with licensed customs brokers handling documentation, dangerous goods procedures, and various government applications. AEO certified (Specific Bonded Warehouse Operator 2008, Certified Customs Broker 2016).
• Bulk Cargo Handling Loading and unloading of bulk cargo at Aichi Prefecture ports including iron scrap (approximately 10% of national port throughput), paper chips, steel materials, coal/coke, ceramic materials, food materials, and biomass fuel. Includes vessel loading/unloading, container stuffing, and bulk container dump-up operations.
• Warehouse Operations Customs-bonded warehouse operations at major ports in Aichi Prefecture, offering temperature-controlled storage, bulk cargo yards, distribution center management, and associated logistics services including Wangan Distribution Center.
• Packaging Services Custom packaging solutions including cases, crates, skids, and pallets for products of various sizes. Services include on-site packaging at port facilities and bonded area packaging for reduced lead time and handling costs.
• Heavy Cargo Handling Specialized transport services for oversized cargo including power plant components, bridge sections, aircraft parts, and LNG vaporizers. Services include marine crane operations, trailers, barge transport, and equipment installation, using over 100 customized heavy handling machines.
• Coastal Shipping (Domestic Water Transport) General cargo ship and barge transport with company-owned vessels, including ferry and railway integration for environmentally friendly long-distance logistics. CO2 emissions reduced by 75% compared to truck transport for long-distance routes.
• Industrial Waste Handling Intermediate processing and collection/transport of industrial waste including slag and sludge. Services include crushing, classification, and mixing operations at Gamagori facility, utilizing coastal shipping for efficient wide-area waste processing.
• Ship Agency Services Ship agency services for container and general cargo vessels, including collection and sales, B/L issuance, vessel entry/departure procedures. Serves as general agent for Chinese shipping companies and handles multiple shipping lines at Nagoya, Kinuura, and Mikawa ports.
• Land Transportation Domestic land transportation including sea container transport, mixed cargo, heavy cargo, and bulk cargo, utilizing group company and partner networks nationwide.
• Chartering Services Vessel chartering for Japan-China and Southeast Asia routes including third-country trade. Handles biomass fuel, raw materials, scrap, machinery, and steel products from 1,000-ton lots to tens of thousands of tons.
• Ferry Transport Partnership with nationwide ferry operators enabling combined road-sea transport from ports other than Nagoya (including Osaka Minato). Reduces CO2 emissions by 75% compared to all-road transport.
• Railway Container Transport Door-to-door combined transport integrating freight train service with truck collection and delivery. Reduces CO2 emissions to approximately 1/11th of truck transport for long distances.
• Solar Panel Recycling Business Solar panel recycling business in collaboration with C. Energy Co., Ltd., utilizing high-precision separation technology to achieve 100% resource reuse of materials including glass. Recognized with the 2025 Aichi Environmental Award Excellence Prize.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduction of 50% achieved by hybrid forklifts compared to diesel forklifts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 福山バイオマス発電所合同会社（共同出资企业10社）coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Joint investment in Fukuyama Biomass Power Plant (52,700kW wood biomass power generation, Hiroshima Prefecture) alongside Chubu Electric Power, Inabata Sangyo, Taihei Dengyo, Tokyo Sanyo, Kanadevia, Maruka Holdings, Mec Hiroshima, Fujii Shoji, and Solariant Capital. AICHI KAIUN provides logistics for the power plant's fuel supply.
• STATION Ai（オープンイノベーション拠点）minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2024Partner company in Japan's largest open innovation hub in Nagoya (opened October 2024). Participation aims to accelerate circular economy activities and explore new business creation and expansion of business domains.
• アイカイ物流株式会社coreOthersGroup company handling truck transport, warehousing, and industrial waste collection/transport. Established October 1997. Capital: 30 million yen. Head: Kondo Hiroki.
• 衣浦物流株式会社coreOthersGroup company handling truck transport. Established February 9, 2000. Capital: 50 million yen. Head: Azuma Hiroyuki. Operates from Handa and Gamagori locations.
• 上海愛海国際貨運代理有限公司coreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai, China. Established August 2006. Provides international freight forwarding and logistics coordination for AIL service and general import/export cargo. Branch offices in Dalian (established October 2008) and Tianjin (established 2010).
• AICHI KAIUN (THAILAND) CO., LTD.coreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in Bangkok, Thailand. Established 2010. Handles international logistics and freight forwarding in Southeast Asia for AIL biomass fuel service and general cargo. Second warehouse completed 2018.
• AIKAI LOGISTICS (THAILAND) CO., LTD.coreOthersSubsidiary in Chonburi, Thailand (Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate). Established 2013. Provides logistics center operations including distribution processing services, supplementing the Bangkok subsidiary.
• AICHI KAIUN (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.coreOthersSubsidiary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Established 2019. Supports AIL biomass fuel logistics by managing fuel sourcing, quality confirmation, and loading coordination at origin for PKS (Palm Kernel Shell) supply to Japanese biomass power plants.
• サミットエナジー株式会社minorOthersSummit Energy supplies 100% renewable energy to AICHI KAIUN's headquarters building through its 'Geoene Denki Premium Handa' plan, sourced from Summit Handa Power Biomass Plant combined with tracking-annotated non-fossil certificates.
• 株式会社シーエナジーminorOthersJoint partner in solar panel recycling business. C. Energy Co., Ltd. (シーエナジー) collaborated with AICHI KAIUN to launch a solar panel recycling business in December 2023, utilizing high-precision separation technology for glass recycling.
• 愛知県「あいちサーキュラーエコノミー推進プロジェクトチーム」minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Aichi Prefecture's Circular Economy Promotion Project Team, specifically engaging in three working groups: Solar Panel Circular Use Model, Food Cycle Use Model, and Unused Wood Circular Use Model.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Nippon Express Holdings: Japan's largest logistics company with global forwarding, warehousing, and supply chain services. Indirectly comparable as a much larger incumbent spanning customs, warehousing, and international transport modes.
• Mitsui Soko Holdings Co., Ltd. Japan-based warehousing, port logistics, and real estate holding company. Comparable to AICHI KAIUN on bonded warehousing and port-related logistics segments, but at national scale with public listing.
• Kintetsu World Express (now Kintetsu Express / APL Logistics): International freight forwarder with strong Asia presence and customs brokerage operations. Comparable to AICHI KAIUN's international logistics and customs clearance offerings but with global rather than regional Japan focus.
• Senko Group Holdings Co., Ltd. Major Japanese logistics conglomerate with warehousing, forwarding, and distribution operations. Overlaps with AICHI KAIUN on general logistics but operates at much broader national scale with different segment mix.
• Hitachi Transport System (LOGISTEED): Large Japanese third-party logistics provider offering forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain solutions with global network. Comparable to AICHI KAIUN's international logistics division but at greater scale.

Direct peers

• Kamigumi Co., Ltd. Japan's largest listed harbor transport company providing port stevedoring, cargo handling, warehousing, and logistics. Directly comparable to AICHI KAIUN in core port-handling activities, but at national scale and with stock-market disclosure.
• Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd. Japan-headquartered warehousing, port transport, and international forwarding operator. Overlaps with AICHI KAIUN on bonded warehouse operations, customs brokerage (AEO), and Asian trade corridor logistics.
• Sankyu Inc. Mid-sized Japanese logistics company offering international forwarding, warehousing, port-related services, and heavy cargo transport in Asia. Comparable to AICHI KAIUN in business mix and Asian footprint.

Others

• Inabata Sangyo Co., Ltd. Japanese trading company (sogo shosha) with industrial materials, biomass power, and logistics-adjacent businesses. Co-investor with AICHI KAIUN in Fukuyama Biomass Power Plant; useful peer for joint biomass/energy logistics commercialization.

Regional players

• Meitetsu Unyu Co., Ltd. Aichi/Nagoya-headquartered logistics arm of Meitetsu Group, providing trucking, warehousing, and distribution services in the Chubu region. Direct regional competitor for domestic logistics and warehousing in AICHI KAIUN's home geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aichi-kaiun-co-ltd-

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries10 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 AICHI KAIUN