Hankyu Ferry
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersKitakyushu, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Hankyu Ferry firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hankyu Ferry
- Legal name
- 阪九フェリー株式会社
- Website
- https://han9f.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hankyu Ferry industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Passenger Ferry Transportation
- NAICS
- Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Passenger Ro-Ro Ferries (Vehicle + Passenger) (THAIAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific) (THAIAJAJ), Ferry Terminal, Port & Passenger Handling Services (THAEAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Hankyu Ferry is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kitakyushu
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Hankyu Ferry business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Passenger Ferry Fares: Revenue from passenger tickets for ferry travel between Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) and Izumiotsu/Kobe ports. Fares vary by route, cabin type, and season.
- Vehicle Transportation: Revenue from transporting passenger vehicles (cars, motorcycles) and freight vehicles (trucks). Vehicle fares are categorized by vehicle size and type.
- Cargo Transport Services: Sea Way Express, a subsidiary, provides truck freight transport services using chassis transportation to promote modal shift for environmental sustainability.
- Onboard Services: Revenue from onboard dining, shopping (souvenirs, local products, Funeco merchandise), and other shipboard services.
- F-Net Membership Program: Online booking system with membership tiers (Gold members receive priority booking). Points are awarded for bookings that can be redeemed for future services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Passenger Fares |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vehicle Transportation Fares |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Internet Discount |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Silver/Group Discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hankyu Ferry product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hankyu Ferry operates a passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) in Kyushu with Izumiotsu (Osaka) and Kobe (Rokko Island) in Kansai via four vessels on two daily routes. Onboard amenities include public baths (onsen), restaurants, observation lounges, shops, karaoke rooms, pet rooms, and free Wi-Fi. The proprietary F-Net online booking system, group bookings, and the Sea Way Express cargo subsidiary supplement the core passenger ferry offering.
Product overview
Hankyu Ferry operates a passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting Kitakyushu (Shinmoji Port) with Osaka (Izumiotsu) and Kobe (Rokko Island) via four vessels — Izumi and Hibiki on the Shinmoji–Izumiotsu route, and Settsu and Yamato on the Shinmoji–Kobe route. The fleet offers cruise-like amenities including public baths, restaurants, observation lounges, Wi-Fi, karaoke rooms, and onboard shops. The core customer-facing technology platform is the F-Net (ふネット予約) online booking system, which provides internet reservation, card payment, e-boarding passes, and a loyalty points program (ふねポ). A cargo subsidiary, Sea Way Express (シーウェイエクスプレス), handles freight transport via chassis trailers. Additional services include shuttle bus connections, onboard Wi-Fi, and a 'Relaxing Stay' extended accommodation package.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sea Way Express (シーウェイエクスプレス): Cargo transportation subsidiary providing trucking services for chassis transport and modal shift initiatives.
- F-Net Reservation (ふネット予約)
Products and services
- Hankyu Ferry Passenger & Vehicle Ferry Service Japanese ferry operator providing passenger and vehicle transport on two routes connecting Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) with Izumiotsu (Osaka) and Kobe (Rokko Island). Serves the Kansai-Kyushu corridor with cruise-like amenities.
- F-Net Online Booking System Proprietary internet reservation platform enabling passengers to book ferry tickets, select cabins, manage reservations, and pay online. Supports card payment, e-boarding passes, point accumulation, and member tier management (Gold/Silver/regular).
- Sea Way Express Cargo Transport Service Cargo transport subsidiary of Hankyu Ferry, promoting modal shift through chassis transport. Operates 39 tractor heads, 111 wing trailers, and 2 flat trailers across Kansai and Kyushu regions.
- Izumiotsu Route Ferry Fleet (Izumi and Hibiki) Two ferries (Izumi and Hibiki) serving the Shinmoji-Izumiotsu route, featuring public baths (including open-air bath), restaurants, shops, freshly baked bread service, Wi-Fi, and observation lounges.
- Kobe Route Ferry Fleet (Settsu and Yamato) Two ferries (Settsu and Yamato) serving the Shinmoji-Kobe route. Feature public baths (including open-air bath), restaurants, shops, Wi-Fi, observation lounges, karaoke rooms, game corners, and pet rooms. Under Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement for maintenance optimization.
- Hankyu Ferry Relaxing Stay (ゆっくりスティック) Onboard Accommodation Package Onboard accommodation package offering an extended stay experience, allowing passengers to enjoy the ferry's cruise-like amenities for a relaxed journey.
Companies that use Hankyu Ferry
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hankyu Ferry technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Hankyu Ferry partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Wärtsilä CorporationcoreWärtsilä Corporation signed a nine-year Lifecycle Agreement with Hankyu Ferry to support maintenance and operational reliability of two ferries, Yamato and Settsu, serving the Kansai-Kyushu route. The agreement includes remote support, condition monitoring, and maintenance services to optimize vessel performance, fuel consumption, and emissions.
- SHK Group (Sister Companies)coreHankyu Ferry is part of the SHK Group network of ferry and shipping companies. Sister companies include Kampu Ferry, Sanyo Kisen, Seatreeze Ferry, SINF (Sanko Steamship), Marinex West Japan, and others. Group companies share operational synergies and belong to a unified ferry network.
- Sea Way Express Co., Ltd.coreSea Way Express is the cargo transport subsidiary of Hankyu Ferry, promoting modal shift in chassis transportation for environmental sustainability, quality control, and customer satisfaction. It operates 39 tractor heads and 113 trailers across Kansai and Kyushu regions.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hankyu Ferry competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stena Line: One of the world's largest ferry operators with extensive passenger and vehicle ferry services across Europe. Broad incumbent with comparable overnight passenger ferry business model, though geographically distant from Japan.
- BC Ferries: Major passenger and vehicle ferry operator serving coastal British Columbia. Similar scale of passenger and vehicle ferry operations with comparable route-based service model, though operating in a different geography.
Direct peers
- Seatreeze Ferry: SHK Group sister company operating passenger ferries. Part of the same corporate alliance structure as Hankyu Ferry with overlapping ferry transportation offerings.
- MOL Sunflower (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ferry Division): Operates large overnight passenger and vehicle ferries between Osaka/Kobe and Busan/Xiamen/Oita. Directly competes with Hankyu Ferry in the Kansai-Kyushu long-haul passenger ferry market, similar vessel amenities and vehicle transport model.
- Meimon Taiyo Ferry: Operates ferry routes connecting Osaka and Tokyo via the Pacific coast with similar overnight passenger and vehicle service. Comparable business model in the Japanese overnight passenger ferry segment.
- Iyotetsu Tomari Ferry: Operates passenger ferry services between Ehime and Osaka in the Seto Inland Sea region. Directly comparable domestic passenger ferry operator with similar service offerings.
- Kampu Ferry (SHK Group): Sister company within SHK Group operating passenger ferries between Shikoku (Tokushima) and Tokyo/Ozaki. Shares group synergies and comparable business model with Hankyu Ferry.
- Sanyo Kisen (SHK Group): Sister company within SHK Group operating ferry services in the Seto Inland Sea region. Directly comparable ferry operator sharing corporate group ownership with Hankyu Ferry.
Regional players
- Tokai Kisen: Operates passenger ferries to the Izu Islands from Tokyo area. Comparable passenger ferry business model but serves a different Japanese geographic market (Tokyo-Izu corridor vs. Kansai-Kyushu).
- Nankai Ferry: Operates overnight ferries between Osaka (Wakayama) and Tokushima. Comparable passenger ferry model serving different routes in Japan's Seto Inland Sea region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hankyu Ferry social profiles
Digital presenceHankyu Ferry financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hankyu Ferry leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Hankyu Ferry subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Hankyu Ferry funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hankyu Ferry M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hankyu Ferry
What does Hankyu Ferry do?
Hankyu Ferry operates a passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) in Kyushu with Izumiotsu (Osaka) and Kobe (Rokko Island) in Kansai via four vessels on two daily routes. Onboard amenities include public baths (onsen), restaurants, observation lounges, shops, karaoke rooms, pet rooms, and free Wi-Fi. The proprietary F-Net online booking system, group bookings, and the Sea Way Express cargo subsidiary supplement the core passenger ferry offering.
Is Hankyu Ferry a public or private company?
Hankyu Ferry is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hankyu Ferry founded?
Hankyu Ferry was founded in 1966. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Hankyu Ferry based?
Hankyu Ferry is headquartered in Kitakyushu, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Hankyu Ferry make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Passenger Ferry Fares are the primary driver. The others are vehicle Transportation, cargo Transport Services, onboard Services and F-Net Membership Program.
Who are Hankyu Ferry's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stena Line and BC Ferries. Direct peers are Seatreeze Ferry, MOL Sunflower (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ferry Division), Meimon Taiyo Ferry, Iyotetsu Tomari Ferry, Kampu Ferry (SHK Group) and Sanyo Kisen (SHK Group). Regional players are Tokai Kisen and Nankai Ferry.
Does Hankyu Ferry have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hankyu Ferry.
What industry is Hankyu Ferry in?
Hankyu Ferry's product category is Passenger Ferry Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAIAJAF, Passenger Ro-Ro Ferries (Vehicle + Passenger), with a secondary code of THAIAJAJ, Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 483114 and its SIC code is 4400.