1. Port and Terminal Operations
– Abashiri Port operates under strict winter navigation conditions (November to March) due to ice formation. Vessels must be ice-class certified (minimum IA class per Japanese Ship Safety Act Article 34) or escorted by icebreakers as per Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau Ordinance No. 5-2021.
– Primary cargo terminals: Abashiri Fishery Terminal (handling seafood/frozen goods, max draft 8.5m, 3 berths) and Abashiri Commercial Terminal (general cargo/containers, max draft 9.5m at low tide, 2 berths). Ro-Ro operations require prior approval from Port Control.
– All vessels exceeding 200 GT must submit ETA 72 hours in advance via Japan Coast Guard’s MARSYS system with complete crew list and cargo manifest. Late arrivals beyond 6 hours require re-confirmation.
– Port working hours: 0800-1700 local time (JST). Overtime operations require 24h notice with additional fees (¥25,000/hour minimum charge).
– Mandatory use of low-sulfur fuel (max 0.1% sulfur content) within port limits per Japan’s Air Pollution Control Act Chapter 3. Exemptions only for vessels with approved scrubber systems.
– Maximum permissible wind speed for cargo operations: 15m/s (Beaufort 7). Crane operations cease at 10m/s (Beaufort 6).
2. Navigation and Anchorage
– Main channel depth maintained at 10m (±0.3m) with tidal range of 0.8-1.2m. GPS waypoints must be verified against JP No. 2201 Admiralty Chart (2023 edition) and Hokkaido Hydrographic Notice No. 112.
– Designated anchorage area (43°57’N, 144°16’E) with holding ground of mud/sand. Maximum anchorage duration: 72 hours without special permission from Harbor Master.
– Anchoring prohibited within 500m of submarine cables marked on charts. Dynamic positioning not permitted in anchorage zone due to seabed pipelines.
– Mandatory AIS transmission within 12nm of port entrance per SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19. VHF Ch 12/16 monitoring 24/7 by Abashiri VTS.
– Icebreaker assistance priority given to vessels carrying essential supplies (fuel, food) during severe ice conditions (ice thickness >20cm).
– Minimum under-keel clearance: 10% of draft or 1.0m, whichever is greater, during entry/exit maneuvers.
3. Cargo Handling and Storage
– Refrigerated cargo plugs: 440V/60Hz at Fishery Terminal (50 containers max capacity). Pre-cooling verification required 24h before arrival (temperature log printout mandatory).
– Hazardous materials storage limited to designated zones at Commercial Terminal (Class 3-9 IMDG). Advance notification to Abashiri Port Authority required + MSDS submission in Japanese/English.
– Grain operations require dust suppression systems per Japan Industrial Safety and Health Act Article 21-3. Loading rate max 500MT/hour with continuous air monitoring.
– Timber cargo must be properly secured with steel bands (no rope lashings accepted) following MLIT’s Cargo Securing Manual 2022 Edition. Maximum stack height: 4m.
– Frozen seafood temperature monitoring: -20°C or below during entire handling process (verified by port health inspector with calibrated equipment).
– Breakbulk cargo slinging gear must display valid test certificates (SWL clearly marked). Annual certification required per JIS B 8801 standards.
4. Safety and Emergency
– Winter survival gear mandatory for crew during ice season (November-March), including immersion suits meeting ISO 15027 standards (minimum 2 sets/lifeboat + 10% spare).
– Port emergency contact: VHF Ch 16/12 monitored 24/7 by Abashiri Coast Guard Office. Landline contact only through registered shipping agents (list available at port entrance).
– Oil spill response equipment stationed at Berth 3 (capacity: 50 tons). Immediate reporting required for any hydrocarbon discharge (>100 liters) within 15 minutes per Marine Pollution Prevention Law Article 38.
– Monthly fire drills compulsory for vessels staying >15 days. Certificates must be presented to port control with crew participation records.
– Helicopter evacuation zone marked at Commercial Terminal (red circle, 30m diameter). No obstructions permitted within 50m radius during medevac operations.
– Emergency towing wires must be rigged and ready for deployment when ice concentration exceeds 6/10 coverage.
5. Environmental Regulations
– Strict ballast water management per Japan’s Invasive Species Act 2004. Exchange must occur beyond 200nm from nearest land (or use approved treatment systems with Type Approval Certificate).
– No open burning permitted within port limits. Fines up to ¥500,000 for violations under Waste Management Act Article 25.
– Sewage discharge prohibited. Use port reception facilities at Berth 2 (advance booking required, min 48h notice, volume declaration ±10% accuracy).
– Garbage classification into 6 categories (plastic, food, etc.) with separate containers provided. Mishandling incurs penalties up to ¥300,000 per incident.
– Underwater noise mitigation encouraged during marine mammal migration seasons (April-May, October-November). Recommended propeller RPM <100 during these periods.
– Exhaust gas opacity monitoring conducted randomly. Smoke density shall not exceed Ringelmann No. 2 per Air Pollution Control Law.
6. Crew and Vessel Requirements
– Port State Control inspections target vessels >10 years old for enhanced hull examinations during winter months (December-February). Special focus on ice belt areas.
– Medical waste disposal requires prior arrangement with Abashiri Public Health Center (official facility only, incineration certificate mandatory with tracking number).
– Crew changes permitted with 48h notice to immigration via appointed shipping agent. On-signers require PCR test within 72h (Japanese government-approved labs only).
– Gangway safety nets mandatory when tide difference exceeds 1m. Night lighting must meet ISO 5489:2018 standards (minimum 200 lux at gangway platform).
– Bunkering operations require double hose connections and spill containment barriers (minimum 10cm height). Continuous deck watch with VHF Ch 9 communication.
– Freshwater supply pressure: 3.5 bar minimum at connection point. Hoses must have Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) certification marks.
7. Special Notices
– Annual sea ice drills conducted every January 15-20. All vessels in port must participate (exemption only for vessels in transit <6h with written proof).
– Navigation suspended when ice thickness exceeds 30cm (announced via JMH NAVTEX Area XI, broadcast every 4h on 518kHz). Backup notices issued on VHF Ch 16.
– Real-time ice conditions available through Japan Meteorological Agency’s Ice Condition Service (updated 3x daily at 0000, 0800, 1600 JST).
– Summer fog season (June-August) requires radar-assisted movements when visibility <1nm. Pilotage becomes mandatory for vessels >5,000 GT.
– Port closure possible during typhoon warnings (wind >25m/s). Contingency anchorage coordinates provided by VTS (secondary location at 43°55’N, 144°18’E).
– Special fishing gear restrictions apply within 3nm of port entrance from May-September. Consult Abashiri Fisheries Cooperative Notice Board for exact boundaries.
8. Legal and Administrative
– All documents must be submitted in Japanese or with certified translation (per Port Regulations Ordinance No. 42/2019). Notarization required for legal documents.
– Customs clearance available 0800-1600 weekdays only. No overtime without prior arrangement (minimum 72h notice for after-hours service).
– Port dues calculated based on GT and cargo volume (detailed tariff table available at port office, Revision 4/2023 applies). Electronic payment preferred.
– Disputes resolved through Hokkaido Maritime Bureau arbitration (legal proceedings must be initiated within 30 days of incident per Maritime Code Article 759).
– Vessels causing damage to port infrastructure liable for 150% of repair costs as per Ports and Harbors Law Article 56. Mandatory insurance certificate required.
– Crew wages must comply with Maritime Labor Convention 2006 standards. Random inspections may verify payment records.
9. Technical Specifications
– Mooring bollard capacity: 50t at all berths. Minimum 8 lines required for vessels >150m LOA during winter.
– Fender system: Cell-type rubber fenders (D1.5m×L3.0m) with 60t reaction force. No ship’s fenders permitted against quay walls.
– Air draft limitation: 35m from MHWS at channel bridges. Special permission required for taller vessels.
– Tug assistance: Minimum 2 tugs required for vessels >10,000 GT (local tugs have 60t bollard pull capacity).
– Fresh water supply rate: 50m³/hour maximum. Advance notice required for quantities >200m³.
– Bunker delivery notes must include Japan-specific clauses per Fuel Oil Quality Control Law. Sampling mandatory during transfer.
10. Seasonal Considerations
– Winter (Dec-Mar): Ice pressure may cause mooring line tension variations. Hourly line checks required when temperature <-10°C.
– Spring (Apr-May): Increased bird nesting activity. Noise restrictions near designated conservation areas.
– Summer (Jun-Aug): Typhoon preparedness kits mandatory (additional lashing gear, storm anchors).
– Autumn (Sep-Nov): Fog banks common in early morning. Radar reflectors must be operational at all times.
– Year-round: Strict enforcement of anti-corrosion paint standards (biocide-free coatings only in inner port areas).
