Port Anchorages Conditions of Kokura Port

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Port Anchorages Conditions of Kokura Port

 

Anchorage Name Location (Coordinates) Area (km²) Depth (m) Bottom Type Max Vessel DWT Capacity Primary Use Restrictions & Safety Notes Commercial Notes
Kochi Outer Anchorage 33°30’00″N, 133°33’00″E 1.2 15-20 Mud/Sand 50,000 5 vessels General cargo, bulk carriers
  • Exposed to NW winds in winter (gusts up to 30kt)
  • Strong currents during typhoons (max 3.2kt)
  • Minimum 0.5nm clearance from submarine pipeline
  • Anchoring prohibited in southern sector (cable zone)
  • Pilotage mandatory for vessels >10,000 DWT
  • Bunkering requires 24hr notice
  • Maximum stay: 7 days without extension
Kochi Inner Anchorage 33°31’30″N, 133°34’30″E 0.8 10-15 Mud 30,000 3 vessels Coastal vessels, fishing boats
  • Limited swing room (300m radius)
  • Prohibited for LPG carriers (Port Regulation §12-3)
  • Daylight operations only for vessels >100m LOA
  • Local fishing activity frequent (0500-1800 JST)
  • Fresh water supply @ 50t/hr (prior arrangement)
  • Garbage reception available
Urado Bay Anchorage 33°29’00″N, 133°32’00″E 0.5 8-12 Sand/Clay 20,000 2 vessels Small tankers, barges
  • Mandatory AIS transmission within 1nm radius
  • No anchoring within 200m of breakwater
  • Tugs required for vessels >150m LOA
  • Bunkering operations require Port Health clearance
  • Maximum stay: 72 hours
  • No ship-to-ship transfers permitted
Susaki Emergency Anchorage 33°23’45″N, 133°17’30″E 0.3 18-22 Hard Clay 70,000 1 vessel Emergency use only
  • Requires JCG authorization (Kochi Branch Order No.5)
  • No commercial operations
  • Medical evacuation priority
  • No provisioning services
  • Emergency repairs require customs pre-clearance
Nankoku Temporary Anchorage 33°35’15″N, 133°37’20″E 0.4 12-15 Sandy Clay 15,000 2 vessels Waiting area for port entry
  • Maximum 48hr occupancy
  • No bunkering/loading operations
  • VHF Ch 14 monitoring required
  • No shore services available
  • Priority given to scheduled arrivals

Operational Details:

  • Pilotage:
    • Compulsory for vessels >10,000 DWT
    • Boarding position: 33°31’00″N, 133°34’00″E
    • 6-hour advance notice required
    • Night pilotage surcharge applies (200,000 JPY)
  • Tidal Information:
    • Mean range: 1.5m (springs up to 2.1m)
    • Highest recorded: 3.2m (2021 Typhoon Nanmadol)
    • Tidal stream atlas: JCG Publication TP-133
  • Currents:
    • Max 2.5kt during ebb tide (outer anchorage)
    • Vortex currents at 33°30’12″N, 133°33’45″E
    • Current tables: Kochi Port Authority Notice 2024-3
  • Typhoon Procedures:
    • No designated typhoon anchorage
    • Evacuation order at sustained winds >25m/s
    • Recommended shelters: Muroto (33°15’N) or Sukumo Bay (32°56’N)
  • Regulatory Framework:
    • Anchoring prohibitions:
      • Submarine cable zones (Chart JP-1247)
      • Marine protected areas (33°28′-33°32’N)
    • Vessel requirements:
      • >20,000 DWT: 24hr VHF watch (Ch 12/16)
      • All vessels: Updated Sailing Plan submission
    • Environmental:
      • Zero discharge policy (MPCL Art.28)
      • SOx Emission Control Area compliance
  • Communication Protocols:
    • Primary: VHF Ch 16/12 (Kochi VTS)
    • Secondary: MMSI 004310010
    • Emergency: DSC Ch 70
  • Meteorological Conditions:
    • Fog:
      • Annual average: 23 days
      • Peak season: March-June
    • Waves:
      • >2m probability: 18% (Dec-Feb)
      • Maximum recorded: 8.5m (2018 Typhoon Jebi)

Navigation Warnings:

  • Uncharted fishing nets at 33°28’30″N, 133°31’15″E (JCG Warning 17/2024)
  • Magnetic anomaly: Urado Bay (33°29’20″N, 133°32’40″E) – 5° variation
  • New underwater pipeline (33°30’45″N, 133°33’30″E) – 50m exclusion zone

 

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