OCDI was established in 1976 to promote international cooperation in port development by bringing together the know-how of both the public and private sectors.
Since then, it has played a part in Japan's ODA and has been involved in projects related to the development and operation of more than 250 ports in 70 countries.
Currently, OCDI is made up of experienced personnel from governments, port administrators, shipping companies, construction companies, cargo handling equipment manufacturers, and port transportation companies. As a research institute specializing in ports, we have core competencies (strengths) in planning and operation.
With this strength at its core, we are not only specialized in port development and operation, but also work with consultants, law and accounting firms, and local governments with expertise in engineering, regional development, comprehensive transportation, logistics, macroeconomics, etc., to undertake diverse and advanced business.
In addition, by providing training to overseas port-related personnel and dispatching expert teams to overseas ports, we have accumulated a wealth of experience and know-how in human resource development through technology transfer and technical guidance.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's 2017 Action Plan for the Overseas Development of Infrastructure Systems called for measures to allow Japanese port operating companies to participate more actively in overseas operations by utilizing their know-how and promoting PPP projects.

Meanwhile, the "JICA Annual Project Evaluation Report 2016" summarized and analyzed the following issues to derive useful lessons for new port development:
① Issues related to demand forecasting
② Issues related to policies leading to the use of new ports
③ Issues related to operation and maintenance.

As a result, we decided to contribute to these measures by establishing the "International Port Management Research Institute" within OCDI which focuses on related support work and research.

The International Port Management Institute plans to utilize OCDI's strengths to undertake the following tasks:

① Identifying projects related to the development and operation of overseas ports
② Tasks related to the development and operation of overseas ports using the PPP method
③ The following tasks when Japanese companies consider investing in overseas ports
〔1〕Evaluation of operational efficiency (organizational and operational aspects)
〔2〕Proposal of measures to improve operations (hard and soft aspects)
〔3〕Financial analysis, calculation of business value

④ The following tasks related to overseas ports in which Japanese companies have invested
〔1〕Evaluation of management efficiency (organizational and operational aspects)
〔2〕Proposal of measures to improve management (hard and soft aspects)
〔3〕Implementation of technical guidance related to improving management

① Research and studies on the sophistication of core technologies and methods for implementing "support services" such as demand forecasting, financial analysis, and evaluation of operational efficiency
② Research and studies on strategies that will contribute to promoting the international expansion of Japanese companies in port operations