1. Port Overview
Nampo Port (38°42’N, 125°24’E) serves as the principal seaport of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), strategically located at the Taedong River estuary approximately 50km southwest of Pyongyang. The port features:
– 15 operational berths with total quay length of 3.2km
– Annual throughput capacity: 8 million tons (2021 estimate)
– Main cargo types: Coal (60%), cement (20%), general cargo (15%), containers (5%)
– River access channel: 45km long, maintained depth 6.5m (dredged annually)
– Ice conditions: Partial freezing December-February (icebreaker support available)
2. Anchorage Information
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nampo Outer Anchorage | 38°42’30″N, 125°24’15″E ±50m | 2.5 | 10-12 (CD) | Mud/Sand (70%/30%) Holding Power: 1.5-2.0 |
20,000 | 5 vessels (min 500m spacing) |
Waiting/Staging | 1. NW winds Beaufort 6+ (Nov-Mar) 2. Tidal currents 3.5 knots max 3. Prohibited zone: 1nm radius at 38°43’N, 125°25’E 4. Anchor watch mandatory |
1. 48h pre-arrival notice required 2. No bunkering services 3. Fresh water rationed (50T/day max) |
| Nampo Inner Anchorage | 38°44’05″N, 125°22’20″E ±30m | 1.8 | 8-10 (MLWS) | Soft Mud (Holding Power: 1.8) Layer thickness: 3-5m |
15,000 | 3 vessels (max LOA 180m) |
Loading/Unloading | 1. Compulsory pilotage (0600-1800 LT) 2. No night operations 3. Obstruction at 38°44’10″N, 125°22’25″E (uncharted wreck) 4. Tugs required for vessels >10,000 DWT |
1. 72h advance notice for shore passes 2. Customs inspections mandatory 3. Stevedores provided by port authority |
| West Bar Anchorage | 38°41’45″N, 125°20’10″E ±75m | 1.2 | 7-9 (MLWS) | Hard Sand/Shell (Holding Power: 0.8-1.2) |
10,000 | 2 vessels | Emergency/Shelter | 1. Minimum 7:1 scope required 2. No services available 3. Military clearance mandatory 4. Poor shelter from NE winds |
1. Force majeure use only 2. No provisions available 3. Medical evacuation difficult |
| East Approach Anchorage | 38°43’15″N, 125°26’40″E ±60m | 1.5 | 9-11 (CD) | Clay/Mix (Holding Power: 1.3-1.6) | 12,000 | 4 vessels | Pilot Boarding Area | 1. Daytime use only 2. Strong cross-currents 3. No anchoring after sunset |
1. Pilot transfer by port boat only 2. No cargo operations permitted |
3. Hydrographic & Environmental Conditions
– Tides:
– Mean spring range: 4.5m (MHWS 3.2m above CD)
– Mean neap range: 2.8m
– Highest recorded tide: 5.1m (2015 typhoon season)
– Currents:
– Flood tide: NW at 2.5 knots (max 3.2 knots)
– Ebb tide: SE at 3 knots (max 3.8 knots)
– Slack water: 30-45 minutes duration
– Water Characteristics:
– Salinity gradient: 22‰ (inner) to 28‰ (outer)
– Temperature range: -1°C (Feb) to 26°C (Aug)
– Visibility: 1-3m (summer algal blooms)
– Weather:
– Prevailing winds: NE (Oct-Mar), SW (Apr-Sep)
– Gale frequency: 8% annual occurrence
– Fog days: 15/year (Mar-Apr)
– Seabed Conditions:
– Siltation rate: 0.5m/year (inner channel)
– Scour holes: 2-3m depth variation near piers
4. Navigation & Safety Regulations
– Charts:
– UKHO BA 1256 (Ed.2019, NM 12/2022)
– DPRK Chart NP-101 (2018 Ed.) – mandatory
– Electronic charts: ENC KR538111 (limited coverage)
– VTS System:
– Coverage: 20nm radius (intermittent)
– Monitoring: VHF Ch 12/16 (0600-2200 LT)
– Reporting points:
1. 38°40’N, 125°30’E (48h ETA)
2. 38°42’N, 125°25’E (12h update)
– Restricted Areas:
– Military zone: 3nm radius at 38°45’N, 125°26’E
– No-go area: 1nm around West Bar light
– Pilotage:
– Compulsory for all vessels >100 GT
– Boarding position: 38°43’N, 125°23’E
– Requirements:
– 24h advance notice
– Pilot ladder at 1.5m above water
– Daylight transfer only
– Mooring Requirements:
– Minimum 4 lines ashore
– Storm moorings for >48h stays
– Fenders mandatory for all alongside berthing
5. Port Services & Infrastructure
– Berth Specifications:
– General Cargo Berths 1-6: 8-10m depth, 150m LOA
– Coal Terminal: 12m depth, 200m LOA
– Container Terminal: 9m depth, 180m LOA
– Cargo Handling:
– Mobile cranes: 5-25T capacity
– Grain elevator: 200T/hour
– Coal conveyor: 500T/hour
– Bunkering:
– IFO 180/380 (48h notice)
– No marine gasoil/LNG
– Barge delivery only
– Repairs:
– Emergency welding/electrical
– No drydock facilities
– Nearest shipyard: Hungnam (3 days transit)
– Provisions:
– Fresh water: 50T/day limit
– No bonded stores
– Limited medical supplies
6. Legal & Compliance Requirements
– Documentation:
– Original crew list (notarized)
– Vaccination certificates (yellow fever)
– Cargo manifests in triplicate
– Inspections:
– 100% customs examination
– Port State Control: 72h notice
– Sanitary inspection mandatory
– Sanctions Compliance:
– UNSCR 2371/2375 restrictions
– AIS continuous transmission required
– No dual-use cargo without clearance
– Local Regulations:
– Photography prohibited
– Crew movement restricted
– Waste discharge forbidden
7. Operational Constraints
– Working Hours:
– General operations: 0700-1900 LT
– No night navigation
– No work on state holidays
– Communications:
– VHF Ch 12/16 primary
– No email/internet access
– Agent coordination required
– Emergency Services:
– Limited first aid
– No decompression chamber
– Firefighting capability: 2 tugs
8. Critical Operational Notes
1. GPS deviation up to 200m possible
2. No waste discharge within 12nm
3. Crew changes require quarantine
4. No financial services available
5. Strict radio silence in military zones
