The Port of Kobe has announced that after a record 143 calls in 2025, Kobe is set to maintain its performance for 2026, said Mitsuki Iba from the Cruise Promotion Division at the Port and Harbor Bureau, Kobe City Government (Port of Kobe).

According to current berth reservations, that number is set to go up further in 2027.

“Sixty percent of our 2026 callers will use our port for turnarounds,” Iba said. “In March this year, we had four ships calling at Kobe simultaneously for the first time two days in a row.”

“At that time, we welcomed the Amadea, which was calling alongside her sister ships Asuka II and III,” Iba said.

As the former Asuka, the Amadea called at Kobe over 100 times. The port hosted the Amadea, Asuka II, Azamara Pursuit and Mitsui Ocean Fuji on March 13, and the Amadea, Asuka II, Asuka III and Azamara Pursuit on March 14.

Starting in April, LNG bunkering will be available at the port.

Another way the port is a good fit for the cruise industry is by continuing to offer hospitality services (Omotenashi) to passengers and crew.

Iba said that the local tourism staff at the terminal provide information and assistance for sightseeing in Kobe.

“We are also offering a free shuttle bus for guests and crew to get to the city center. The success of a port call is determined by the residents. If they are happy with the calls, they will welcome the shops,” Iba added.

“We also consider it a success when the ship calls bring economic impact to the city. For the transit callers, we would like more passengers and more crew to experience our city.”

For turnaround calls, the port aims to give passengers the chance to enjoy sightseeing with pre- and post-cruise stays in Kobe.

Iba pointed out that they would like to have more ships engage in local purchasing.

“Frequent ship calls help residents to cultivate a spirit of hospitality. That relationship with cruise ships ultimately supports the port’s success as well: it leads callers to have wonderful experiences in Kobe … and that’s why many cruise lines keep choosing Kobe as their destination,” Iba said.