Timeline | TABUCHI KAIUN Co.,Ltd.

1917

Iwataro Tabuchi became the main contractor of marine transportation of the products of Sumitomo Fertilizer Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) to various locations. He established Tabuchi Shoten in Tomisima-cho, Nishi-ku, and Osaka and transported fertilizers from Niihama to Osaka and the Kyushu area and coal from various locations of Kyushu to the Hanshin area.

1924

Hiyoshi Maru (176 deadweight tons), Japan’s first steam vessel equipped with a semi-diesel engine was constructed to be introduced as a specialized shipping vessel for Sumitomo Fertilizer Factory and Sumitomo Besshi Mining Plant. At that time, “regular” and “irregular” services were operated to expand the route.
Operation of five cargo ships (2,576 deadweight tons).

1929

The founder Iwataro Tabuchi retired and was succeeded by Tateki Tabuchi two generations back.
A sub-branch was established in Niihama to increase the transaction volume of Sumitomo Fertilizer Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

1932

Branches (a total of 5) were sequentially established by 1937 following the opening of the Wakamatsu branch to increase the monthly transportation volume of coal from Kyushu to 50,000 tons.

1935

Tabuchi Shoten was reorganized to Tabuchi Shoten Co., Ltd.; the first shopowner Iwataro Tabuchi became the chairman; and Tateki Tabuchi became the president. The head office was relocated to the current location, 2 Ajigawa, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi.

1939

Operation of the routes between Hanshin and the Korean Peninsula and Tianjin, China, began.

1941

The Company name was changed to Tabuchi Kaiun Co., Ltd.

1943

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. constructed a factory in Matsue, Wakayama. Sumika Group Co., Ltd. (currently Sumika Transportation Co., Ltd.) was established accordingly.

1946

March: Establishment of the Beppu (Hyogo Prefecture) Branch House
September: Nissin Kisen Co., Ltd. was established, and the tanker Horai Maru No. 11 (1,500 deadweight tons) was converted into a cargo ship to transport fertilizers to the Hokkaido area and sulfide ore from Funakawa (Akita).

1948

July: Establishment of the Tokyo Branch House
November: An agency outsourcing agreement with Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. was signed.

1951

October: The Wakayama Branch House was established and Sumika Group Co., Ltd. also relocated its head office to the same location.

1952

Merger with Nissin Kisen Co., Ltd.

1955

May: Construction of the cargo ship Kosei Maru (1,145 deadweight tons)

1957

March: Construction of the coastal cargo ship Hosei Maru (2,587 deadweight tons)

1958

The cargo ship Taisei Maru was converted into a tanker to transport naphtha in response to the progress made in petrochemicals at Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and the transportation of heavy oil in other tankers also began.
April: Establishment of the Tokuyama Branch House

1964

The number of clients increased because of the progress made in petrochemicals. Five chemical tankers (6,818 deadweight tons) and a cargo ship (3,156 deadweight tons) were constructed, and shipping space was expanded to increase the transport of methanol, naphtha, and other chemical products.

1965

The first LPG carrier, Hakusei Maru (337 deadweight tons), was constructed in cooperation with Sumitomo Corporation, Zeon Corporation, and Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. to begin the Company’s first transportation of oil liquefied gas.

1966

Yuichiro Tabuchi assumed the position of president.

1967

Construction of two domestic LPG carriers (943 deadweight tons)

1968

January: Establishment of the Chiba Branch House for the operation of the Chiba Petrochemical Complex
April: Construction of a total of 11 vessels, including Keisei Maru (2,093 deadweight tons)—the Minas heavy oil tanker—for the first time in coastal shipping; Japan’s first aluminum barge, Maruta No. 2 (300 deadweight tons); three LPG carriers (1,839 deadweight tons) in the same year; five domestic cargo ships (4,319 deadweight tons); one domestic carrier of chemicals (450 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (4,103 deadweight tons)

1969

During these years, the Minas crude oil tanker went into service for the first time in coastal shipping with the patronage of major clients, and the foundation for the development of the Special Vessels Division, such as those for transporting LPG, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and cement, was established.
February: Construction of a total of 21 vessels, including the cement ship for Aso Cement Co., Ltd., Kanda Maru No. 2 (1,476 deadweight tons); Shosei Maru (1,109 deadweight tons), Japan’s first large-scale acetic acid carrier, for Showa Denko Co., Ltd.; two domestic LPG carriers (2,082 deadweight tons); seven domestic chemical tankers (5,008 deadweight tons); five domestic cargo ships (4,563 deadweight tons); and six domestic oil tankers (8,052 deadweight tons)
Acquirement of licenses for coastal shipping operations, namely, coastal transportation, coastal forwarding, and domestic vessel leasing

1970

March: Establishment of the Toyama Branch in response to an increase in transportation to and from the Toyama Plant of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Aluminium Co., Ltd.）
Two coastal cargo vessels, Ryusei Maru (6,830 deadweight tons) and Kaisei Maru (5,571 deadweight tons), were constructed to transport south-sea wood. The Oita Branch House was established as a result of an increase in the volume of transportation in the Oita coastal industrial zone.
Establishment of Tabuchi Kaiun Ajigawa Bonded Shed with a capacity of 1,300 tons in November 9.
Construction of a total of 14 vessels, including two domestic LPG carriers (1,225 deadweight tons); four domestic chemical carriers (2,650 deadweight tons); two international cargo ships (12,401 deadweight tons); three domestic cargo ships (6,446 deadweight tons); and three domestic oil tankers (3,092 deadweight tons).

1971

Acquirement of the license for warehousing from Kinki Marine Transportation Bureau.
Securing of two municipal sheds of Osaka Nanko Keihin Berth (3,862 ㎡) as the distribution base for the sea and land intermodal transportation system, as well as a warehouse space (2,969 ㎡) in the hinterland
September: Establishment of the Osaka Nanko Office
Construction of a total of 13 vessels, including the Company’s first domestic pallet cargo ship Chitose Maru (700 deadweight tons); Japan’s first LPG carrier for pentane Hakusei Maru No. 16 (1,499 deadweight tons); two domestic LPG carriers (2,419 deadweight tons); six domestic chemical tankers (2,853 deadweight tons); two domestic cargo ships (1,307 deadweight tons); and three domestic oil tankers (2,250 deadweight tons)

1972

Establishment of the Tabuchi Kaiun Safety Transportation Council to actively promote safe shipping management
Construction of a total of four vessels, including one domestic cargo ship (1,484 deadweight tons) and three domestic oil tankers (7,676 deadweight tons)

1973

Construction of the first warehouse (four-storied building with reinforced steel, 6,347 ㎡) in the hinterland of Osaka Nanko Keihin Berth
Construction of a total of four vessels, including two LPG carriers (2,158 deadweight tons) and two domestic chemical tankers (1,550 deadweight tons)

1974

Securing of a site (7,159 ㎡) as a local collection terminal in Sodegaura, Chiba, and construction of three one-story warehouse buildings of steel (4,240 ㎡) (September)
Construction of a total of five vessels, including two domestic LPG carriers (1,861 deadweight tons) and three domestic chemical tankers (1,803 deadweight tons)

1975

Promotion of the Tokyo Branch House to the Tokyo Branch Office
May and July: Construction of large carriers specialized for cement Sumise Maru No. 1 (7,282.19 deadweight tons) and Sumise Maru No. 3 (7,265.7 deadweight tons) for Sumitomo Cement Co., Ltd. (currently Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.)
Construction of a total of eight vessels, including Japan’s first propylene oxide tanker Hosei Maru (817.53 deadweight tons) with the most advanced technology for Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; five domestic chemical tankers (5,027.53 deadweight tons) , and three domestic cargo ships (15,242.89 weight tons)

1976

March: Completion of construction of the second Osaka Nanko warehouse (three-storied building with reinforced steel, 14,978 ㎡); expansion of the total area to 26,287 ㎡
Construction of a total of eight vessels, including five domestic chemical tankers (5,465 deadweight tons), one domestic cargo ship (680 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (3,490 deadweight tons)

1977

Two LPG carriers and one chemical tanker went into service in response to the increase in demand for the transportation of LPG and other materials. Consequently, the number of partner shippers increased to 500 companies, and the number of ships in operation increased to 106 (115,955 deadweight tons). With the expansion of the Warehouse Port Transportation Department, the Company began the operation of the sea and land intermodal transportation system to aim for more stable shipping as a comprehensive marine transportation company.
Construction of a total of five vessels, including two domestic LPG carriers (1,594 deadweight tons); one domestic chemical tanker (1,250 deadweight tons); one domestic cargo ship (650 deadweight tons); and one domestic oil tanker (1,250 deadweight tons)

1978

Construction of a total of five vessels, including two domestic chemical tankers (2,178.22 deadweight tons); one domestic cargo ship (620 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (5,007.51 deadweight tons)

1979

June: Construction of a total of 10 vessels, including the cement carrier Sumise Maru No. 8 (4,436.6 deadweight tons) for Sumitomo Cement Co., Ltd.; four domestic LPG carriers (4,421 deadweight tons); one domestic chemical tanker (2,350 deadweight tons); three domestic cargo ships (6,346.6 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (2,833 deadweight tons)

1980

July: A celebration commemorating the beginning of operation of 100 new vessels was held.
Construction of a total of 11 vessels, including four domestic LPG carriers (2,837.52 deadweight tons); one domestic chemical tanker (700 deadweight tons); three domestic cargo ships (1,734 deadweight tons); and three domestic oil tankers (3, 641.44 deadweight tons)

1981

June: Establishment of Nisshin Senpaku Co., Ltd.
Construction of a total of four vessels, including one domestic LPG carrier (744 deadweight tons); one domestic chemical tanker (1,338 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (4,097.26 deadweight tons)

1982

Promotion of the Chiba Branch House to Chiba Office
Construction of a total of three vessels, including two domestic LPG carriers (1,667 deadweight tons) and one domestic cargo ship (1,469 deadweight tons)

1983

February and March: Construction of a total of five vessels, including domestic cement carriers Kurohime Maru (5,735.54 tons burden) and Aomi Maru (5,733.83 tons burden) for Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (current Denka Co., Ltd.); three domestic chemical tankers (2,056 deadweight tons) ; and two domestic cargo ships (11,469.37 deadweight tons)

1984

Construction of the third Osaka Nanko warehouse (steel-frame, one-story building, 2,000 m²)
August: Establishment of the Fukuoka Branch House
Construction of two domestic LPG carriers (1,921.35 deadweight tons)

1985

Construction of a total of nine vessels, including three domestic LPG carriers (3,001.69 deadweight tons); four domestic chemical tankers (3,386.02 deadweight tons); and two domestic cargo ships (1,372 deadweight tons)

1986

February: Completion of the construction of the Nanko South Warehouse (three-storied building with reinforced steel, 3,362 m²) and the Nanko Middle Warehouse (three-storied building with reinforced steel, 8,159 m²)
Construction of a total of five vessels, including one domestic LPG carrier (1,142 deadweight tons) and four domestic chemical tankers (2,697 deadweight tons)

1987

Construction of a total of four vessels, including one domestic LPG carrier (1,095 deadweight tons) and three domestic chemical tankers (3,399 deadweight tons)

1988

September: Construction of the domestic acetaldehyde carrier Shoyu Maru (494 deadweight tons) for Showa Denko Co., Ltd. and two domestic chemical tankers (1,094 deadweight tons) in the same year

1989

January: Construction of a total of seven vessels, including Japan’s first domestic LPG carrier with IMO, catamaran tank Hakusei Maru No. 66 (1,042 deadweight tons); two domestic LPG carriers (2,040 deadweight tons); and five domestic chemical tankers (5,238 deadweight tons) in the same year

1990

Construction of a total of eight vessels, including two domestic LPG carriers (2,102.13 deadweight tons); five domestic chemical tankers (5,025.93 deadweight tons); and one domestic oil tanker (1,907 deadweight tons)

1991

April: Completion of the Nanko Central Warehouse (four-storied building with reinforced steel, 6,649 m²)
June: Construction of a total of two vessels, including the bauxite residue carrier Nansei Maru (6,806.3 deadweight tons) for Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.; one cargo ship (6,806.3 deadweight tons); and one oil tanker (495 deadweight tons) in the same year

1992

June: Construction of the domestic and international chemical tanker Shosei Maru (1,499 weight tons) for Showa Denko Co., Ltd.
June: Construction of the domestic cement carrier Echigo Maru (2,308 deadweight tons) for Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
June: Construction of a total of 12 vessels, including the company’s domestic cement carrier Sumise Maru No. 11 (8,353 deadweight tons) for Sumitomo Cement Co., Ltd.; one domestic LPG carrier (950 deadweight tons); five domestic chemical tankers (5,14249 deadweight tons); four domestic cargo ships (12,808 deadweight tons); and two domestic oil tankers (6,867.56 deadweight tons)

1993

Construction of a total of six vessels, including one LPG carrier (950 deadweight tons); two domestic chemical tankers (1,650 deadweight tons); and three domestic oil tankers (7562.94 deadweight tons)

1994

Construction of a domestic chemical tanker (1,824 tons burden)

1995

Construction of a total of five vessels, including the oceangoing LPG carrier BATANGAS (3,202 deadweight tons) for Marubeni Corporation in October; one domestic LPG carrier (1,111.12 deadweight tons); one international LPG carrier (3,202 deadweight tons); one domestic chemical tanker (1,188.46 deadweight ton); and two domestic cargo ships (16,783 deadweight tons) in the same year to enter the coastal international shipping sector.

1996

Construction of a total of two vessels, including one international LPG carrier (1,841 deadweight tons) and one domestic oil tanker (500 deadweight tons)

1997

With 50 shippers and 77 vessels in operation (138,553 deadweight tons), the company expanded the Warehouse Port Transportation Department and enhanced the sea and land intermodal transportation system, aiming for safer shipping as a comprehensive marine transportation company.
October: Acquisition of the International Safety Management Code (ISM) Code (1) Acquisition of Document of Compliance for Safety Management System (DOC). Acquired on October 20 (2) Acquisition of Safety Management Certificate (SMC) on December 24, 1997
Construction of two international chemical tankers (10,860 deadweight tons)

1998

Construction of a total of three vessels, including one international LPG carrier (3,100 deadweight tons); one overseas chemical tanker (6,575.82 deadweight tons); and one domestic LPG carrier (920.52 deadweight tons)

1999

Construction of a domestic cargo ship (6,138 deadweight tons)

2000

December: Norio Tabuchi assumed the position of president
Construction of a domestic LPG carrier (1,200 deadweight tons)

2001

April: The Tokyo Branch Office was relocated to the current location.
Construction of a domestic chemical tanker (1,199 deadweight tons)

2002

Construction of the East Warehouse in Nanko, Osaka (four-storied steel-frame building, 8,859 m²)
Acquisition of ISO9001 in domestic and international marine transport service
September: Construction of a total of two vessels, including the Company’s first large, dual-use (gasoline and distilled oil) tanker (with the introduction of Japan’s first international safety standards) Taisei Maru (4,990 deadweight tons) for Tonen General Sekiyu K.K.; one domestic LPG carrier (1,238 deadweight tons); and one domestic oil tanker (4,990 deadweight tons) in the same year

2003

Acquisition of ISO 14001 in vessel management (domestic oil carriers, chemical tankers, and gas carriers)
September: Acquisition of ISO 9001 certification
November: Acquisition of ISO 14001 certification
Construction of a total of five vessels, including two international chemical tankers (15,878 deadweight tons); two domestic LPG carriers (1,960 deadweight tons); and one domestic cargo ship (7,435 deadweight tons)

2004

March: Operation of the Company’s first ethylene carrier Shoyo Maru (3,000 deadweight tons) for Tosoh Corporation
Construction of a total of three vessels, including one domestic and international ethylene carrier (3,000 deadweight tons); one domestic and international LPG carrier (1,200 deadweight tons); and one domestic chemical tanker (890 deadweight tons)

2005

Construction of a total of three vessels, including one international chemical tanker (7,958 deadweight tons); one domestic LPG carrier (702.7 deadweight tons), and one domestic oil tanker (4,999 deadweight tons)
December: Completion of the Company’s first large, multi-use (black fuel, gasoline, and distilled oil) tanker Shinsei Maru (4,999 deadweight tons) for Tonen General Sekiyu K.K.

2006

March: Separation of the Warehouse Division to establish Tabuchi Soko Co., Ltd.; President: Norio Tabuchi; Head Office: 2-2-5 Ajigawa, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Capital: 50 million yen
Construction of a total of three vessels, including one international LPG carrier (2,899 deadweight tons); one domestic and international LPG carrier (1,200 deadweight tons); and one domestic chemical tanker (1,871 deadweight tons)

2007

Construction of a domestic chemical tanker (1,857 deadweight tons)

2008

July: Completion of the third Osaka Nanko Warehouse of Tabuchi Soko (four-storied building with reinforced steel, 7,134 m²)
Construction of a total of two vessels, including one international chemical tanker (19,998 deadweight ton) and one domestic cargo ship (6,039.88 dead weight ton)

2009

Construction of a total of three vessels, including one international LPG carrier (2,899 deadweight tons); one domestic LPG carrier (986 deadweight tons); and one domestic chemical tanker (1,869 deadweight tons)

2010

Construction of a total of three vessels, including one international LPG carrier (3,999 deadweight tons) and two domestic LPG carriers (1,998 deadweight tons)

2011

Construction of a total of three vessels, including one domestic LPG carrier (973 deadweight tons); one domestic and international chemical tanker (1,658 deadweight tons); and one domestic cargo ship (6,039.88 deadweight tons)

2012

Construction of a total of four vessels, including three international LPG carriers (8,691.91 deadweight tons) and one domestic chemical tanker (1,223 deadweight tons)

2013

Construction of an international LPG carrier (2,899.31 deadweight tons)

2014

March: Completion of the Hirabayashi Warehouse (12,403 ㎡) of Tabuchi Soko
Construction of a total of five vessels, including one international LPG carrier (2,898.4 deadweight tons); one international chemical tanker (3,956.61 deadweight tons); one domestic and international LPG carrier (1,196 deadweight tons); one domestic LPG carrier (999 deadweight tons); and one domestic chemical tanker (1,195.45 deadweight tons)

2015

Construction of a total of two vessels, including one international chemical tanker (7,910.21 deadweight tons) and one domestic chemical tanker (1,195.014 deadweight tons)

2016

April: Establishment of the Management Division and the Fuel Purchasing Division
October: Integration of Vessels Management Division and Environment Safety Management Division
Construction of domestic chemical tanker (1,214 deadweight tons)