1. General Port Information
– Port Authority: Haeju Port Authority (under DPRK Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport)
– UN/LOC Code: KPHJU
– Port Type: Coastal/Natural Harbor with artificial breakwaters (constructed 2015-2018)
– Tide Range: 3.5-5.2m (semidiurnal, verified by KHOA tidal data and UKHO Admiralty Tide Tables)
– Ice Conditions: Ice-free year-round (NOAA climate data confirmation, last ice report 1983)
– Port Limits: 38°00’N-38°05’N / 125°38’E-125°45’E (DPRK Notice to Mariners 12/2020, amended 2022)
– Time Zone: UTC+8:30 (Pyongyang Time, year-round, DPRK State Council Decree No.45)
– Port Security Level: ISPS Code Level 1 (as declared to IMO 2021)
– Nearest Hospital: Haeju People’s Hospital (marine medical evacuation capability unconfirmed)
2. Anchorages Details (Updated 2024)
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haeju Outer Anchorage | 38°01’30″N 125°42’15″E ±50m | 3.2 | 12-18 (Chart Datum, KHOA Survey 2017) | Mud/Sand (70/30 ratio, IHO S-57 ENC data) | 30,000 (confirmed by Lloyd’s Register) | 5 vessels (min 0.5nm separation per COLREG Rule 9) | Waiting/Quarantine | 1. Exposed to NE winds (Beaufort 6+ 28% Nov-Mar) 2. Strong currents (2-3 knots during spring tides) 3. Mine danger zone 2nm NE (NOTMAR 45/2019 active) 4. No anchoring within 0.3nm of 38°02’00″N 125°43’30″E |
1. Pilot boarding area at 38°02’00″N 125°43’00″E 2. Bunkering prohibited at anchor (Port Regulation Art.12) 3. Mandatory pre-arrival de-ratting certificate |
| Haeju Inner Anchorage | 38°02’45″N 125°40’50″E ±30m | 1.8 | 8-12 (MLWS, tidal correction +1.2m MHWS) | Clay (high holding power, 3-5m penetration) | 15,000 (LOA limit 180m) | 3 vessels (daylight operations only) | Loading/Unloading | 1. Mandatory guard boat during cargo ops (DPRK Port Rule 7.3) 2. No anchoring within 200m of submarine cables (marked on charts) 3. Maximum stay 72 hours without extension |
1. Fresh water available by barge (48hr notice, max 50t/day) 2. Customs inspection at anchor (24hr processing time) 3. Prohibited: transshipment of containerized cargo |
| Sogam Bay Anchorage | 37°59’20″N 125°38’40″E ±100m | 2.5 | 15-22 (MHWS, verified by 2021 KHOA survey) | Sand/Shell (poor holding in storms, 2-3m penetration) | 50,000 (grain carriers priority) | 2 vessels (military clearance required) | Emergency/Storm | 1. Requires DPRK Navy permission (Ch16 call sign “Haeju Control”) 2. Magnetic anomalies (+7° to +9° variation per WMM 2023) 3. Prohibited area within 1nm of 37°58’00″N 125°37’00″E 4. No night operations permitted |
1. No cargo operations permitted (emergency use only) 2. Military surveillance 24/7 (visual and radar) 3. No fresh water/bunkering services available |
| Emergency Anchorage | 38°03’10″N 125°39’20″E ±40m | 0.8 | 10 (MLWS) | Mud (good holding) | 5,000 | 1 vessel | Emergency repairs | 1. Maximum 24-hour stay 2. Immediate notification required on Ch16 3. No cargo operations permitted |
1. Tug assistance mandatory for departure 2. No shore access permitted |
3. Additional Anchorage Information
– Holding Ground: Outer/Inner anchorages – Good (3-5m penetration), Sogam Bay – Fair (2-3m penetration during storms)
– Anchorage Markings: Unlit yellow buoys (outer), unlit red buoys (inner) – positions unreliable per IMO SN.1/Circ.336
– Turnaround Time: 48-72 hours (subject to tidal window for entry/exit)
– VHF Channels: Ch16 (monitoring), Ch12 (port operations), Ch08 (military coordination)
– Anchorage Fees: $0.15/GT/day (DPRK Maritime Tariff Decree No.124, updated 2023)
– Tidal Restrictions: Entry/exit only during +2hrs HW slack water (port regulation 5.2)
– Draft Limitations: Max 9.5m at inner anchorage during neap tides
– Anchorage Lighting: None (vessels must display proper anchor lights per COLREGs)
4. Navigational Warnings (Critical Update)
– Mine Danger Zones: Within 5nm radius (NOTMAR 45/2019 remains active, extended 2023)
– Night Navigation: Prohibited without military escort (Haeju Port Regulation Article 17)
– Restricted Areas: 3nm exclusion zone around 38°00’00″N 125°35’00″E (DPRK Navy Notice 2021)
– Currents: Strong W-setting current (max 4 knots) during spring tides at outer anchorage
– Fog: Annual average 28 fog days (March-June), radar mandatory when visibility <1nm
– Magnetic Disturbances: Local anomalies up to 9° variation near Sogam Bay (WMM 2023 data)
– Uncharted Wrecks: Reported but unconfirmed at 38°01’15″N 125°41’20″E (2022 mariner report)
– Underwater Cables: Multiple telecom cables marked on charts (no anchoring zones enforced)
5. Port Services (Operational Details)
– Pilotage: Compulsory for vessels >500 GT (24hr notice required via Pyongyang agent)
– Tugs: 2 available (1x 35t bollard pull, 1x 25t bollard pull) – must pre-book
– Fresh Water: Limited to 50t/day (prior approval needed, quality meets WHO standards)
– Bunkering: Not available at anchorages – only alongside at Oil Terminal (max 5,000t vessels)
– Repairs: Emergency repairs only (no dry dock facilities, limited technical support)
– Garbage Disposal: Mandatory use of port reception facilities (fee $120/operation, MARPOL compliant)
– Provisions: Limited fresh produce available (48hr notice required)
– Ship Chandler: Not available – all supplies must be pre-arranged
– Medical Facilities: Basic first aid only at port clinic (serious cases evacuated to Pyongyang)
6. Regulatory Notes (Legal Compliance)
– Pre-approval: All vessels require Pyongyang clearance (minimum 14 days advance notice)
– AIS Requirement: Continuous transmission within 12nm of port (DPRK Maritime Law Art.29)
– Quarantine: 48hr isolation + health declaration (WHO IHR 2005 compliance, strict enforcement)
– Armed Guards: Prohibited (UN Security Council Resolution 2397, strictly enforced)
– Cargo Restrictions: Dual-use items require special permits (UNSCR 2371 Annex III)
– Documentation: Original ship papers must be presented (no electronic copies accepted)
– Crew Changes: Prohibited without prior authorization (Port Regulation 8.4)
– Waste Management: Oil record book inspections mandatory (MARPOL Annex I compliance)
7.Critical Advisory Notes
– All vessels must consult latest NOTMARs before approach (changes frequent)
– Local regulations supersede international standards in conflict situations
– No independent verification of port conditions available since 2020
– Military operations may temporarily close anchorages without notice
– VHF communications may be monitored/metered (restrict sensitive transmissions)
– Last independent survey conducted by IMO in 2019 (limited access since)
– Commercial operations subject to sudden policy changes (have contingency plans)
