1. General Port Information
– Official Designation: Rason Special Economic Zone Port Authority
– UN/Locode: KPRSN
– Jurisdiction: DPRK Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport – Rason Branch
– Port Classification: Type A Deep-water Port (IMO Category 1)
– Operational Status: Year-round with icebreaker support (Dec-Mar: max ice thickness 40cm)
– Port Limits: 42°10’N to 42°25’N / 130°15’E to 130°30’E (NAD83 datum)
– Working Hours: 0800-1700 local time (No night navigation without permit)
2. Anchorage Technical Specifications
| Anchorage Name | Location (WGS84) | Area (km²) | Depth Chart Datum (m) | Bottom Characteristics | Max Vessel Dimensions | Capacity | Operational Parameters | Safety Restrictions | Commercial Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rajin Outer Anchorage | 42°15’30″N 130°18’00″E | 3.2 | 18-22 (CD) | Mud/Sand (Shear strength 20-40kPa) | LOA 220m Beam 32m DWT 50,000 |
5 vessels (min 500m separation) |
• Turn radius 2.5x LOA required • Max current 1.8kn during spring tides |
• Mine danger zone 1.2nm NE • Prohibited during naval exercises (VHF Ch 16 announcements) • Anchor watch mandatory when winds > Beaufort 6 |
• Bunkering prohibited • Fresh water by tender (max 50t/day) • No waste reception |
| Sonbong Emergency Anchorage | 42°20’00″N 130°24’00″E | 1.8 | 12-15 (CD) | Stiff clay (Undrained shear strength 50-80kPa) | LOA 180m Beam 28m DWT 20,000 |
3 vessels | • Daylight operations only • Tidal window ±2hrs from HW |
• Underwater cables marked (42°20’15″N 130°23’45″E) • No dragging anchors permitted • Emergency use only beyond 6hrs requires port approval |
• No commercial activity • Medical evacuation available (4hr notice) |
| Rajin Inner Anchorage | 42°14’00″N 130°17’00″E | 2.1 | 10-14 (CD) | Compact sand (Relative density 65-80%) | LOA 200m Beam 30m DWT 30,000 |
4 vessels | • Bunkering ops max 8hrs continuous • Required fendering: Type II rubber |
• 500m exclusion from naval docks • AIS continuous transmission • No stern anchors permitted |
• IFO 180/380 available (ISO 8217:2017) • Slop reception at 42°13’45″N 130°16’30″E • Provisions limited to 5t/day |
| Rajin West Anchorage | 42°16’15″N 130°15’30″E | 1.5 | 15-18 (CD) | Hard mud (N-value 15-25) | LOA 190m Beam 29m DWT 35,000 |
2 vessels | • Dynamic positioning preferred • Max stay 72hrs without extension |
• New submarine pipeline (marked 2024) • No anchoring within 200m of pipeline |
• Container transshipment only • Reefer power available (440V/60Hz) |
| Rajin Coal Anchorage (New) | 42°13’20″N 130°19’10″E | 2.4 | 16-20 (CD) | Sandy clay (SPT N=12-18) | LOA 210m Beam 31m DWT 45,000 |
3 vessels | • Dedicated coal carriers only • Dust suppression required |
• Explosive atmosphere zone • No hot work permitted • 24hr fire watch |
• Direct loading from conveyor • Max throughput 15,000t/day |
3. Hydro-Meteorological Conditions
– Tides: Mixed semi-diurnal, mean range 0.7m (max 2.3m during typhoons)
– Currents: Flood tide 045° at 1.8kn, ebb tide 225° at 2.1kn (neaps 60% of springs)
– Water Temperature: Annual range -1.5°C to 24°C
– Wave Climate: Significant wave height <1.5m 85% of year (typhoon max 8.5m)
– Visibility: <1km occurs 15 days/year (mainly Dec-Feb)
4. Navigation Requirements
– Pilotage:
• Compulsory for vessels >500 GT
• Boarding position: 42°16’00″N 130°20’00″E
• Minimum underkeel clearance 10% draft or 1m (whichever greater)
– Charts:
• Japanese JP222 (2024 Ed.)
• Chinese Chart 12010 (2023)
• ENC KR502142 (IHO S-57 Ed3.1)
– Positioning: WGS-84 with DGPS/GLONASS recommended (accuracy <5m required)
5. Safety & Security Regulations
– Military Restrictions:
• No photography within 3nm of coast
• Automatic Identification System (AIS) mandatory
– Environmental:
• Zero discharge policy (IMO MARPOL Annex I-VI enforced)
• Ballast water exchange >50nm from coast (IMO D-1 standard)
– Cybersecurity: Mandatory malware scan before port entry (IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3)
6. Commercial & Operational Services
– Bunkering:
• IFO 180/380 (Sulphur <0.5% compliant)
• LNG not available
– Repairs:
• Hull: ABS Class C welding standard
• Electrical: IEC 60092 certified technicians
– Provisions: Halal/Kosher not available
7. Regulatory Documentation
– Pre-arrival (96hrs):
• ISPS compliance declaration
• Crew vaccination records (WHO yellow card)
– Port Entry:
• Original ship registry documents
• Cargo manifests with DPRK consular certification
