| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimonoseki Anchorage A | 33°57’30″N, 130°56’15″E (WGS84 Datum) |
0.8 | 15-20 (Chart Datum) |
Mud/Sand (70/30 ratio) |
50,000 | 10 vessels (min 200m spacing) |
General cargo, waiting | 1. Strong tidal currents (max 5.2 knots at springs) 2. Typhoon prohibition (Wind ≥ Beaufort 6) 3. Mandatory AIS/LRIT transmission 4. Anchor watch required |
1. Pilotage mandatory (>10,000 DWT) 2. Fresh water delivery available 3. Bunker surcharge: 5% after 2400hrs |
| Shimonoseki Anchorage B | 33°58’00″N, 130°55’30″E (±10m accuracy) |
0.5 | 12-18 (MLWS) |
Clay (Shear strength 20kPa) |
30,000 | 6 vessels (max LOA 180m) |
Coastal vessels, bunkering | 1. Limited swing room (1.5:1 scope ratio) 2. Night anchoring prohibited 3. Minimum 3 shackles required 4. No dragging >0.1nm |
1. Bunkering via barge only 2. No LNG operations 3. Slop reception available |
| Moji Anchorage | 33°56’45″N, 130°57’20″E (GPS verified) |
1.2 | 20-25 (CD +2.1m HW) |
Sand/Shell (Bearing capacity 50t/m²) |
80,000 | 8 vessels (VLCC priority) |
Large bulk carriers, VLCC standby | 1. NW wind exposure (max 25kt) 2. Tug standby required for VLCCs 3. Daylight ops preferred (1h before sunrise to sunset) 4. Dynamic positioning prohibited |
1. VLCC pre-approval (24h notice + Q88) 2. Bunker testing lab available 3. SBM compatibility: No |
| Kanmon Strait Emergency Anchorage | 33°59’10″N, 130°58’05″E (Emergency use) |
0.3 | 10-15 (Variable) |
Rock/Mud (Poor holding) |
20,000 | 4 vessels (max 12hr) |
Emergency use only | 1. Mechanical/weather emergencies only 2. VTS clearance required (Ch 16) 3. Maximum 12-hour stay 4. JCG inspection may apply |
No commercial services (Medical evacuation available) |
| Hikoshima Temporary Anchorage | 33°57’05″N, 130°54’40″E (Fishing priority) |
0.4 | 8-12 (Dredged 2023) |
Sand (Good holding) |
15,000 | 5 vessels (Daylight only) |
Fishing vessels, small craft | 1. Tankers prohibited 2. 0600-1800hrs only 3. 200m spacing required 4. Local traffic has right of way |
1. No bunkering 2. Fishing priority zone 3. Water taxi available |
| Kitakyushu Anchorage West | 33°55’18″N, 130°49’55″E (New 2024) |
0.7 | 18-22 (Dredged) |
Sandy Clay | 45,000 | 7 vessels | Container feeders, Ro-Ro | 1. Tidal window ±2hr HW 2. No hazardous cargo 3. AIS Class A required |
1. Reefer plugs available 2. Provisions delivery 24hrs |
Navigation Critical Data :
- Tidal Range: 3.5m (spring), 2.0m (neap) – JMA Tide Tables 2024 (Station No. JK-45)
- Currents: Max 7.3 knots in Kanmon Strait (JHD Current Atlas Sheet CA-112)
- VTS: Kanmon VTS Ch 16 (primary), Ch 12 (secondary), Ch 67 (working)
- Pilot Boarding: 33°56’12″N, 130°53’45″E (Speed ≤6kt, day signal “H” required)
- Prohibited Zones: 500m Kanmon Bridge, 200m submarine cables (Chart JP-4112)
- Typhoon Shelter: Hakata Bay (33°53’N, 130°45’E) – Advance booking required
- New Hazard: Uncharted rocks at 33°58’22″N, 130°56’18″E (NtM 45/2023)
- Magnetic Variation: 7°12’W (2024), annual decrease 0°08′ (JCG Notice 112)
Operational Regulations (Consolidated):
- Anchoring: 72hr standard (Extension Form PA-7 required 24h prior)
- Pollution: Zero discharge (MARPOL Annex I, V, VI enforced)
- Security: ISPS Level 1 (Level 2 activates 500m exclusion zones)
- Night Nav: Special permit for >200m LOA (Form N-3 submitted 48h prior)
- Dangerous Cargo: Class 1 prohibited, Class 2-6 require Form DC-9
- New Rule: From 2024-07-01, all vessels >500GT require electronic anchorage log
Critical Reminders :
- ETA Submission: JP-MOSS system (Foreign vessels: 24h + cargo manifest)
- VHF Watch: Ch 16/12 mandatory + Ch 67 working frequency
- Anchor Check: 2 independent position fixes (GNSS + visual bearing)
- Incident Report: Immediate to JCG (Ch 16) + written within 1hr
- Typhoon Prep: Mooring plan submission required at Beaufort 6 forecast
- New Requirement: Electronic anchorage log for >500GT from 2024-07-01
