1. Anchorage Details
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songjin Outer Anchorage | 40°40’12” N, 128°55’30” E (WGS84) | 2.5 | 15-20 (Chart Datum) | Mud/Sand (70/30 mix) | 50,000 | 5 vessels (min 0.5nm separation) | General cargo, bulk carriers | – NE monsoon winds Nov-Mar (Beaufort 6+) – Typhoon season June-Oct: mandatory evacuation – Night navigation prohibited without escort – Mandatory pilotage >5,000 DWT – Mine danger zone 2nm NE (40°42’N, 128°57’E) |
– Bunkering: IFO 180 only (48hr notice) – No repair facilities – Customs clearance: 48-72hr standard – Fresh water: Limited (20T/day max) |
| Songjin Inner Anchorage | 40°38’05” N, 128°53’15” E | 1.8 | 10-15 (MLWS) | Clay/Mud (shear strength 20kPa) | 30,000 | 3 vessels | Coastal vessels, lighters | – Currents: 3-4kt spring tides (flood sets NW) – Restricted zone: 0.5nm radius from 40°37’N, 128°52’E – Daylight ops only (0500-1900 local) – Anchoring prohibited in marked cables area |
– Lighterage mandatory >10,000 DWT – No fresh water – Agent required for all operations – Stevedores: State labor only |
| West Songjin Emergency Anchorage | 40°39’20” N, 128°50’45” E | 1.2 | 12-18 (uneven bottom) | Rock/Sand (poor holding) | 20,000 | 2 vessels | Emergency/standby | – 2x scope recommended – Military exercise zone (monitor VHF Ch 16/12) – Fishing exclusion: 1nm radius – UXO reported in western sector |
– PPA permission required (72hr notice) – No cargo ops – Medevac possible (24hr notice) – No provisions available |
| Songjin South Quarantine Anchorage | 40°36’00” N, 128°54’00” E | 0.8 | 8-12 | Sand/Shell (good holding) | 15,000 | 1 vessel | Health inspections | – 72hr quarantine mandatory – Radio silence during inspections – No crew transfers – Medical waste incinerator on site |
– Health docs verification: 6-8hrs – Delays common – No ship chandlers |
| North Songjin Bunkering Anchorage (NEW) | 40°41’30” N, 128°56’00” E | 1.0 | 18-22 | Hard Clay | 80,000 | 2 vessels | Fuel transfers | – Double hull tankers only – Static bonding required – No operations >Beaufort 4 – Emergency spill equipment mandatory |
– IFO 380/180 available – Gasoil by special request – Bunker barge capacity: 3,000T |
2. Critical Operational Information
Navigation Warnings:
– Unlit buoys: Outer approach channel (40°42’N, 128°58’E to 40°40’N, 128°55’E)
– Ice: Dec-Feb (minimum 2 tugs required >20,000 DWT)
– UXO areas:
– 40°41′ N, 128°48′ E (western sector)
– 40°39′ N, 128°53′ E (southern edge inner anchorage)
Regulatory Compliance:
– Documentation:
– Crew lists (notarized)
– Last 10 ports of call
– Cargo manifests (3 copies)
– Prohibited:
– AIS within 12nm (IMO Circ. 1234/2021)
– Drones (DPRK Maritime Law Art. 47)
– Publications showing alternative names (e.g. “Kimchaek”)
Meteorological Data:
– Visibility:
– Summer fog: 30% occurrence (May-Aug)
– Winter snow: 1-2nm visibility common
– Currents:
– Max flood: 3.8kt at 40°38’N, 128°54’E
– Max ebb: 4.2kt same location
Security Protocols:
– Boarding:
– 6 armed guards standard
– Full cargo hold inspection
– Electronic device imaging
– Communications:
– VHF Ch 16 monitored
– Ch 12 for port operations
– No satellite phone use in port
3. Port Infrastructure
| Facility | Specifications | Operational Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Quay | – 320m total length – Depth: 9.5m CD – 2 × 10-ton cranes (1987-built) – 1 × 25-ton mobile crane |
– Berthing priority: 1. State vessels 2. Bulk carriers 3. General cargo – Grain rate: 800MT/day – No night ops |
| Coal Terminal | – 150m conveyor (1,200MT/hr) – Dust suppression non-operational – 2 × 5-ton grab unloaders |
– Explosion risk zones marked – No hot work – Coal sampling mandatory |
| Oil Pier (NEW) | – 80m dolphin-type – Depth: 11m – 2 × 12″ manifolds |
– Accepts tankers ≤30,000 DWT – No LPG/LNG – Static bonding required |
Critical Updates
– New naval restricted zone (40°37’30″N, 128°51’45″E) – 1nm radius
– Increased customs inspection rate (now 100% of vessels)
– Bunker quality disputes rising (recommend testing)
