Taiyo Nippon Sanso (TNSC) made an experimental transportation of helium container to materialize the commercial import of helium from Gazprom of Russia. The first container arrived at Kobe Port on April 25.

TNSC obtained the distribution right of East Siberian helium from Gazprom Export for a planned commercial import the helium in 2021. In accordance with the agreement, helium containers are to be taken over from Gazprom Export to TNSC in the vicinity of Vladivostok, and shipped to the Asian market including Japan, Korea and China from there. The verification at this time was intended to check the route of direct services between Japan and Russia out of the delivery plans. For the experimental transportation they used a regular service of Trans-Russia Agency which is the only company engaged in direct transport services between Japan and Russia. As for the importing practices, the plan was proceeded in collaboration with San-ei Corporation of long-time partner and Senyo Koun which is headquartered in Kobe.

The vessel which left Vladivostok on April 19 arrived at Kobe Port on April 25 of the sixth day after dropping at the ports of Sendai, Yokohama, Shimizu and Nagoya. One of the 40ft containers landed at Kobe Container Terminal was transported by land to TNSC’s Amagasaki Plant after clearing the customs procedures for entry.

The empty containers after transfer-filling of helium will be shipped on the same regular service from Kobe Port as regular practice and returned to Vladivostok Port via Toyama Port.

The cruise at this time between Vladivostok and Kobe was the same as the ordinary service, but it is quite shorter than 13 days of the Japan-US cruise which is the current main route to procure helium. Taking into account the additional cruise to return the containers, about two weeks may well be saved for cruising.

Shunichi Anzou, global helium/bulk strategy manager of TNSC’s international business division said with confidence, “In and after 2021 we would be able to supply helium at more stable pace with the Russian source having logistic advantages in addition to the American source.” He also disclosed a policy to consider other ports to unload helium than Kobe in order to optimize the overall logistic system.