| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muroran Outer Anchorage | 42°19’30″N 140°58’00″E | 2.5 | 20-30 | Mud/Sand (70%/30%) | 100,000 | 5 vessels (min 500m spacing) | 1. Waiting/Storm shelter 2. Crew changes 3. Customs clearance |
1. Exposed to NE winds (avg 25kt in winter) 2. Minimum holding power: 3x vessel weight (JIS F 0021) 3. Prohibited for LNG carriers 4. Anchor watch mandatory (SOLAS Ch.V/19) |
1. Free anchorage ≤72hrs (extendable with MPA approval) 2. Bunker surcharge: 5% for anchorage delivery 3. Pilot transfer area at 42°19’15″N 140°57’45″E |
| Muroran Inner Anchorage | 42°20’00″N 140°56’30″E | 1.2 | 15-20 (chart datum) | Clay (shear strength 50kPa) | 50,000 | 3 vessels (max LOA 200m) | 1. Bunkering 2. Provisions 3. Minor repairs |
1. Limited swing room (1.5x LOA required) 2. Mandatory bow thruster for vessels >150m LOA 3. Night anchoring requires port permission 4. No anchoring within 200m of submarine cables |
1. 24hr advance notice to port authority 2. Freshwater supply rate: 100T/hr (JIS B 8210) 3. Garbage collection available (MARPOL compliant) |
| Emergency Anchorage A | 42°18’45″N 140°59’15″E | 0.8 | 25-35 (verified 2023 survey) | Rock/Sand (60%/40%) | 80,000 | 2 vessels (absolute max) | Emergency only | 1. No commercial operations allowed 2. Maximum stay: 12 hours 3. Requires Coast Guard approval via VHF 16 4. No bunkering permitted |
1. Exempt from port fees (Muroran Port Regulation §12-3) 2. Medical evacuation available via helicopter (coordinated through JMH) |
| Coal Carrier Anchorage | 42°20’30″N 140°55’00″E | 1.5 | 18-22 | Sandy clay | 120,000 | 4 vessels | 1. Coal loading queue 2. Draft adjustment |
1. Dust suppression measures required 2. No washing down permitted 3. Special monitoring for spontaneous combustion |
1. Direct rail loading available 2. Dedicated tugs on standby |
1. Navigational Warnings :
– Strong currents (3 knots max) near Cape Chikyu (JHOA Chart 1123)
– Ice risk December-March (JMA data: avg thickness 20cm, max 45cm)
– Fog frequency: 15% annual occurrence (2018-2023 average)
– Underwater pipelines at 42°19’12″N 140°57’45″E (marked by yellow buoys)
– New offshore wind farm development 5nm NE of port (construction until 2025)
2. Port Regulations (Legal References):
– Mandatory AIS transmission within 12nm (Japan Coast Guard Notice No. 15/2022)
– Anchoring prohibited:
– Cable areas (chart No. 1123)
– Within 500m of fish farms
– Within 1nm of wind farm construction zone
– Special requirements:
– Oil tankers: standby tug during anchorage (ISPS Code)
– Vessels >200m LOA: dual anchors deployment
– Coal carriers: dust monitoring every 6 hours
3. Emergency Protocols:
– Muroran Coast Guard: VHF Ch 16 (呼号 JMH)
– Port Control: VHF Ch 12 (24/7)
– Medical Emergency: +81-143-22-0110 (Muroran City Hospital)
– Oil Spill Response: +81-143-25-1122 (MPA Environmental Office)
– Security Incident: VHF Ch 70 (ISPS contact)
4. Reference Documents (Official Sources):
– Japan Hydrographic Association Chart JP-21121A (2024 Edition)
– Muroran Port Ordinance No. 42 (2021 revision) + 2023 amendments
– IMO Port Guide JP-MUR (2023 update)
– Japan Anchorage Safety Standards (JASSA 2020)
– MPA Notice to Mariners 2024 Series (1-6)
5. Commercial Services & Fees:
– Bunker supply:
– IFO380 (ISO 8217:2017)
– MGO (0.1% sulfur)
– LNG bunkering planned (2025)
– Freshwater: 100T/hr capacity (JIS B 8210 standard)
– Fees:
– Free first 48 hours
– ¥50,000/day thereafter
– 20% discount for regular users
– Waste disposal:
– Mandatory for stays >24hrs (MARPOL)
– Recycling facilities available
6. Meteorological & Oceanographic Data:
– Prevailing winds:
– NW (Winter, avg 20kt)
– SE (Summer, avg 15kt)
– Wave conditions:
– Max height at anchorage: 4.5m (10-year return)
– Significant wave height: 2.1m (winter avg)
– Tides:
– Range: 1.2m (neap) to 1.8m (spring)
– Current tables: JHOA Publication TP-223
7. Special Operations:
– Helicopter operations:
– Approved landing areas at all anchorages
– Min visibility 1km required
– Underwater inspections:
– Diving support available
– Current-limited operations
Important Notices:
1. Anchorage reservations:
– Required 24hr in advance
– Via MPA Online Portal or VHF 12
2. Real-time monitoring:
– NAVTEX station JMH (490kHz)
– MPA AIS tracking (www.muroranport.jp/ais)
3. Hazardous cargo:
– Special zones designated
– Minimum 1nm separation (IMDG Code 2022)
4. New regulations:
– Mandatory e-logbook for anchorage stays (2024)
– Carbon intensity reporting (2025)
