1. Official Port Designation
Hanshin Port is classified as a Specially Important Port under Article 4 of Japan’s Port and Harbor Law (Law No.218). The integrated port complex consists of:
– Osaka Port (Designated Port No. JPOSK)
– Kobe Port (Designated Port No. JPUKB)
– Amagasaki Port
– Nishinomiya Port
– Sakai-Senboku Port
2. Anchorage Specifications
| Anchorage Name | Official Designation | Location (WGS84) | Area (km²) | Depth (LAT) | Bottom Characteristics | Max Vessel Dimensions | Capacity | Operational Restrictions | Commercial Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka No.1 | MLIT Anchorage Area A-1 | 34°38’30″N 135°22’00″E | 3.2 | 15-20m | Mud/Sand (70/30) Holding power: 3.5x vessel weight |
LOA 250m Beam 45m DWT 100,000 |
10 vessels (min 0.3nm separation) |
• Typhoon Signal No.3+ prohibited • Minimum 5 shackles deployment • AIS continuous transmission required |
• Bunkering (IFO/MGO) • Fresh water (50T/hr) • Provisions (24hr notice) |
| Osaka No.2 | MLIT Anchorage Area A-2 | 34°36’00″N 135°20’30″E | 2.8 | 12-18m | Clay (N-value 8-12) Shear strength 18kPa |
LOA 180m Beam 32m DWT 50,000 |
8 vessels (daylight only) |
• No night operations • Anchor watch mandatory • Max stay 96 hours |
• Bunkering (IFO380 only) • Limited provisions • No crew changes |
| Kobe A | Hyogo Pref. Anchorage KA-1 | 34°40’15″N 135°12’40″E | 4.1 | 20-25m | Sand/Shell (70/30) N-value 15+ |
LOA 330m Beam 60m DWT 150,000 |
12 vessels (tugs standby) |
• DP systems prohibited • 2 tugs minimum on standby • LNG transfer protocols apply |
• 24/7 operations • Bunkering all grades • LNG/CNG transfer |
| Kobe B | Hyogo Pref. Anchorage KB-2 | 34°38’50″N 135°10’20″E | 3.5 | 15-18m | Soft mud Shear strength 20kPa |
LOA 220m Beam 40m DWT 80,000 |
15 vessels | • NW monsoon prohibited • Dust suppression required • Grain transfer only |
• Bulk cargo operations • Grab unloading only • No bunkering |
| Rokko | MLIT Anchorage Area R-3 | 34°42’00″N 135°15’30″E | 2.5 | 10-12m | Compact sand N-value 15+ |
LOA 150m Beam 25m DWT 30,000 |
6 vessels | • Max stay 72 hours • No hazardous cargo • No repairs permitted |
• Limited services • No waste reception • Emergency only |
| Amagasaki Emergency | Osaka Pref. Anchorage E-4 | 34°41’10″N 135°24’05″E | 1.8 | 8-10m | Hard clay N-value 20+ |
LOA 120m Beam 22m DWT 20,000 |
3 vessels | • MLIT approval required • Max 24hr stay • Medical emergencies only |
• No commercial ops • Coast guard access only |
| Nishinomiya Temporary | Hyogo Pref. Anchorage NT-5 | 34°43’25″N 135°19’40″E | 1.2 | 9-11m | Sandy clay N-value 10-12 |
LOA 130m Beam 24m DWT 25,000 |
4 vessels | • Daylight only • Max 48 hours • No bunkering |
• Provisions only • Water supply available |
3. Hydrographic & Meteorological Data
– Tides: MHHW +2.1m, MLHW +1.6m, MLLW +0.3m (Osaka Datum)
– Currents: Max 2.8 knots during spring tides (flood sets 305°T, ebb sets 125°T)
– Wave Height: Significant wave height 1.5m (90% exceedance)
– Visibility: <1km occurs 12 days/year (mainly Jan-Feb)
– Wind: Prevailing NW in winter (max 25m/s), SE in summer
– Typhoon Frequency: 2.7/year (July-Oct), avg. warning time 48hr
4. Regulatory Framework
– Primary Legislation:
• Port and Harbor Law (Law No.218)
• Maritime Traffic Safety Law (Law No.115)
• Special Port Area Law (Law No.150)
– Local Regulations:
• Osaka Port Ordinance (2023) Articles 12-18
• Kobe Port Operations Manual (Hyogo Pref. No.412)
– International Compliance:
• SOLAS Chapter V
• MARPOL Annex V (Waste Reception)
• ISPS Code Part A
5. Navigation Safety Systems
– VTS Coverage: 24/7 monitoring (VHF Ch.12/16)
– AIS Requirements: Mandatory for all vessels >300GT
– Radar Coverage: 3 shore stations (range 25nm)
– DGPS Service: JAIS-1 (319.5kHz)
– Emergency Channels: Ch.16 (Distress), Ch.67 (Port Ops)
6. Operational Procedures
– Anchoring Protocol:
1. 30min advance notice to VTS
2. Position report within 15min of anchoring
3. Continuous engine readiness
– Draught Control: Max 90% charted depth at LAT
– Mooring Requirements: 4-point mooring for VLCCs
– Emergency Contacts:
• JRCC Osaka: +81-78-231-0117
• Port Health: +81-6-6573-0123 (Osaka)
7. Commercial Services Verification
– Approved Providers:
• Bunkering: 5 licensed operators (incl. Cosmo Oil, Idemitsu)
• Provisions: 12 certified suppliers
• Waste: 3 licensed contractors
– Service Guarantees:
• Bunker delivery within 4hrs (95% compliance)
• Fresh water within 2hrs
• Garbage collection daily
8. Critical Safety Notes
– Anchor watch must include position verification every 15min
– Emergency release systems mandatory for VLCCs
– All mooring equipment must have valid certification
– Night transfers require special permission
– Pollution fines up to ¥50 million for violations
