1. Port and Terminal Information
1.1 Rason Port operates two main terminals: Rajin Terminal (42°15’N, 130°17’E) and Sonbong Terminal (42°20’N, 130°24’E).
1.2 Rajin Terminal handles bulk cargo (coal, grain) and containers, with 3 berths:
– Berth 1: 180m LOA, 9.5m draft (bulk carriers)
– Berth 2: 150m LOA, 8.0m draft (general cargo)
– Berth 3: 200m LOA, 7.5m draft (containers, Ro-Ro)
1.3 Sonbong Terminal specializes in oil, chemicals and limited LNG operations, with 2 berths:
– Oil Berth: 160m LOA, 8.2m draft
– Chemical Berth: 140m LOA, 7.8m draft
1.4 Maximum permissible draft:
– Rajin Terminal: 9.5m (tide-dependent, 0.5m UKC required)
– Sonbong Terminal: 8.2m (restricted to vessels <15,000 DWT)
1.5 Port working hours: 0800-1700 local time (UTC+8.5) Monday to Saturday
1.6 Night operations require prior approval with 30% surcharge (DPRK Port Regulation No. 12-2020)
2. Navigation and Anchorage
2.1 Primary approach channel:
– Length: 8.5nm
– Width: 150m
– Maintained depth: 9.8m (MLWS)
– Chart references: Korean Hydrographic Chart KH-1221 (2018 edition)
2.2 Mandatory reporting points (VHF Ch 16):
– Entry: 42°30’N, 130°15’E (12nm from port entrance)
– Departure: 42°16’N, 130°19’E (1nm outside breakwater)
2.3 Anchorage areas:
– No.1 Anchorage (42°18’N, 130°20’E): 15m depth, mud bottom, max 3 vessels
– Emergency anchorage (42°22’N, 130°26’E): 20m depth, priority for vessels in distress
2.4 Seasonal restrictions (December-March):
– Icebreaker escort mandatory for vessels >5,000 GT (DPRK Maritime Safety Decree Art. 34)
– Maximum ice thickness for unescorted entry: 15cm
3. Pilotage and Tug Services
3.1 Compulsory pilotage zone begins 3nm from port entrance
3.2 Minimum 24 hours notice required via agent (submitted to Rason Port Authority)
3.3 Pilot boarding position: 42°16.5’N, 130°18.2’E (1.5nm NE of Rajin breakwater)
3.4 Pilot ladder must comply with SOLAS Reg. V/23
3.5 Tug availability:
– Rajin Terminal: 2x 3200HP ASD tugs (bollard pull 45t)
– Sonbong Terminal: 1x 2800HP conventional tug (bollard pull 38t)
3.6 Tug assistance mandatory for:
– Vessels >10,000 DWT
– All tankers carrying Class A chemicals (IMO IBC Code reference)
– During ice season (December-March)
4. Cargo Operations
4.1 Prohibited cargoes:
– Radioactive materials (UN Class 7)
– UN Class 1 explosives without special permission (DPRK Customs Directive 2019-5)
4.2 Grain handling:
– Rajin Terminal: 2x 10-tonne grabs, max 800 tonnes/hour (moisture content <14%)
– Mandatory fumigation certificate for bulk grain (Phytosanitary Law Art. 9)
4.3 Coal storage:
– Dedicated 50,000m² yard with dust suppression (water spraying every 2 hours during ops)
– Spontaneous combustion monitoring required (temperature logs submitted hourly)
4.4 Container operations:
– Maximum stack weight: 4 tiers for 20′, 3 tiers for 40′
– Refrigerated containers: Limited power outlets (10x 400V/50Hz), pre-booking mandatory
4.5 Dangerous goods handling:
– IMDG Code compliance required for all hazardous cargo
– Segregation requirements strictly enforced per IMO guidelines
5. Safety Regulations
5.1 Mandatory pre-arrival checks (verified by Port Control):
– Firefighting equipment (minimum 2x CO2 systems operational)
– Navigation lights (tested within 12 hours of arrival)
– Bilge alarms (certification valid for 6 months)
5.2 Hot work permits:
– 48-hour notice + on-site fire watch (1 crew member per 10m² work area)
– Gas-free certificate required for tankers (IMO Resolution MSC.285(86))
5.3 Oil spill response:
– 200m containment boom at each terminal (annual drill certification required)
– Immediate reporting to Port Control + DPRK Coast Guard (VHF Ch 10) if spill >100L
5.4 Emergency equipment requirements:
– Lifeboats: Monthly drill records must be available
– Fire dampers: Operational certification required
6. Customs and Documentation
6.1 Crew documentation:
– Original notarized crew list + 3 copies (including passport numbers and visas)
– Vaccination records (yellow fever if transiting endemic zones)
6.2 Health declaration:
– Last 10 ports of call with dates (verified against AIS data)
– COVID-19 measures (DPRK Ministry of Public Health Notice 2023-3):
– Negative PCR test within 48 hours of arrival
– No crew change permitted in Rason
6.3 Cargo manifests:
– Submitted 72 hours prior in DPRK standardized format (Field 17 must list HS codes)
– Penalty of 0.5% cargo value for discrepancies >5%
6.4 Ship stores declaration:
– Alcohol and tobacco quantities must match bonded store records
7. Emergency Contacts
7.1 Port Control: VHF Ch 12/14 (call sign “Rason Port Radio”), continuous watch
7.2 Medical emergency:
– Port clinic (24hr) – basic trauma care only
– Serious cases: Evacuation to Pyongyang (48hr notice for airlift)
7.3 Search and Rescue (SAR):
– Nearest base: Chongjin (85nm south), response time 4-6 hours
– EPIRB alerts routed via JRCC Pyongyang (MMSI 004330000)
7.4 Fire emergency:
– Port fire brigade response time: 15 minutes maximum
8. Special Notices
8.1 Environmental compliance:
– All garbage must be landed (zero discharge within 12nm)
– Ballast water exchange beyond 200nm (DPRK Maritime Law Art. 47)
8.2 Security:
– Photography prohibited without Port Authority written permission
– Armed guards patrol port perimeter – no unauthorized drone flights
8.3 Bunkering:
– Only via licensed suppliers (MGO available at Sonbong Terminal, max 500t/day)
– Sampling and testing required before transfer (ISO 8217 standards enforced)
8.4 Port state control:
– DPRK follows Tokyo MOU inspection regime
– Priority inspection for vessels >15 years old
9. Additional Operational Notes
9.1 Port dues:
– Calculated per GT/day (0.15 USD for vessels <10,000 GT, 0.20 USD for >10,000 GT)
– Discount of 10% if pre-paid via agent 7 days in advance
9.2 Weather limitations:
– Operations suspended if wind > Beaufort 6 or visibility <1nm
– Typhoon season (July-September): Mandatory evacuation to designated anchorages
9.3 Communication:
– Email updates via agent only (no direct VHF requests for documentation)
– Satellite phone use permitted only with prior approval
9.4 Fresh water availability:
– Limited supply (max 50t/day) at Rajin Terminal
– Advance notice required for bunkering
10. Â Port Infrastructure Details
11.1 Rajin Terminal equipment:
– 3x gantry cranes (40t capacity each)
– 5x mobile harbor cranes (25t capacity)
– 2x conveyor systems for bulk cargo (800t/hr capacity)
11.2 Sonbong Terminal equipment:
– 2x loading arms for oil products (8″ diameter)
– 1x chemical transfer pump system (200m³/hr capacity)
– Dedicated vapor recovery system for volatile cargoes
12. Vessel Traffic Management
12.1 Mandatory AIS transmission within 20nm of port
12.2 Speed restrictions:
– 8 knots within port limits
– 5 knots in inner harbor area
12.3 Vessel priority system:
– Government cargo vessels have first priority
– Commercial vessels scheduled based on ETA notifications
13. Crew Regulations
13.1 Shore leave restrictions:
– Limited to designated areas only
– Mandatory port escort for all shore leave
13.2 Crew changes:
– Not permitted except in emergency cases
– Requires approval from DPRK Immigration Bureau
13.3 Provisions supply:
– Must use approved local suppliers
– Fresh produce subject to quarantine inspection
14. Bunkering Services
14.1 Available fuel grades:
– IFO 380 (limited availability)
– MGO (0.1% sulfur content)
14.2 Bunkering procedures:
– Minimum 72 hours advance notice required
– Mandatory drip trays and spill equipment during operations
14.3 Fuel quality testing:
– Independent sampling required
– Test results must meet ISO 8217 standards
15. Waste Management
15.1 Reception facilities available for:
– Oily waste (sludge and bilge water)
– Solid waste (separated into categories)
– Sewage (limited capacity)
15.2 Waste handling charges:
– Calculated based on vessel GT and waste volume
– Pre-payment required via agent
16. Port Security Measures
16.1 ISPS Code compliance:
– Security Level 1 maintained at all times
– Random security inspections conducted
16.2 Restricted areas:
– All terminals except designated access points
– No photography permitted in operational areas
16.3 Crew identification:
– Port-issued passes required for all shore personnel
– Biometric verification at terminal gates
17. Meteorological Services
17.1 Weather updates provided:
– Every 6 hours via VHF Ch 16
– Special warnings for gale force winds
17.2 Tide information:
– Daily tide tables posted at Port Control
– Real-time water level monitoring at berths
18. Port Agent Requirements
18.1 Mandatory use of approved local agents
18.2 Agent services must include:
– Customs clearance coordination
– Port authority liaison
– Emergency support services
19. Special Cargo Handling
19.1 Oversized cargo:
– Special permits required
– Night movement restrictions apply
19.2 Project cargo:
– Advance stowage plans required
– Special handling equipment must be pre-arranged
20. Port Development Updates
20.1 Current expansion projects:
– New container terminal under construction (completion 2025)
– Deepening of main channel to 12m planned
20.2 Temporary operational impacts:
– Occasional dredging operations may cause delays
– Construction areas marked on port charts
