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On December 24, 1925, a ship from Dalian, China moored on a new wharf, just finished after six years of construction, and unloading began.
It was a record year for the Port of Osaka in import/export value, and the port grew increasingly important to Japanese trade with each passing year as the Osaka area favorably shifted from spinning and other light industries toward heavy and chemical industries. Most loading and unloading operation, however, was still done offshore, so building a facility that would allow ships to be moored for direct loading or unloading onshore was an essential step in enhancing the port’s efficiency and stimulating its growth and development.
It took six years to build the wharf because financial difficulties at the Osaka city government had hobbled the construction until Sumitomo offered to step in and finish the job.
This was a significant burden for Sumitomo to take on, particularly as the wharf would become city property after 20 years even though Sumitomo was footing the bill. Nevertheless, Sumitomo decided to complete the project, judging that better port facilities would be essential to the further development of commerce in Osaka.
The wharf was as large as 436.4 meters long and 23.1 meters wide supported by durable reinforced concrete piers to moor three ships, including two 10,000-ton ships, at the same time. It was affectionately called “Sumitomo Wharf ”. Sumitomo Warehouse began providing its services at the new wharf, which was located nearly in the center of the port. The company built a number of warehouses behind the wharf, and the coupled served as a foundation for a new era of growth. |
