1. Port Rules and Regulations
1.1 General Provisions
– Governed by the Ports and Harbors Act (Act No. 218 of 1950) and Hokkaido Regional Port Regulations
– Mandatory compliance with:
– ISPS Code (SOLAS Chapter XI-2)
– Maritime Traffic Safety Act
– Port Regulations Law
– Pre-arrival requirements:
– Vessels >500 GT must submit details 24 hours in advance (Maritime Traffic Safety Act, Article 50)
– Ice season (Dec-Mar) requires additional reporting to Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Abashiri Office
– Crew list and health declaration required for all vessels (Quarantine Act)
1.2 Navigation Rules
– Speed limits:
– 8 knots within port limits (Abashiri Port Ordinance No. 12-2020)
– 5 knots in fishing zones and near mooring areas
– Communication protocols:
– Mandatory VHF Channel 16 monitoring
– Channel 12 for port operations
– AIS must remain operational at all times
– Ice navigation:
– JIS A/B ice class certification required (Nov-Apr)
– Icebreaker escort mandatory when ice thickness exceeds 30cm
– Restricted zones:
– No entry within 200m of fishing zones
– Designated anchorage areas must be strictly observed
– Tug requirements:
– Compulsory for vessels >10,000 DWT
– Required for all hazardous cargo operations
1.3 Cargo Operations
– Dangerous goods:
– Prior approval from Abashiri Port Management Office
– Strict compliance with IMDG Code
– Special stowage requirements for Class 1 explosives
– Bulk cargo:
– Grain dust control per IMO MSC.1/Circ.1394/Rev.2
– Coal cargo must meet Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS M 8812)
– Liquid cargo:
– Double-hull requirement for oil tankers >600 DWT
– Vapor recovery systems mandatory (Air Pollution Control Law)
– SOPEP equipment verification before transfer operations
– Operational restrictions:
– Night operations prohibited for hazardous cargo (Port Ordinance No. 15-2019)
– Maximum loading/unloading rates posted for each berth
2. Compliance and Enforcement
2.1 Inspection Regime
– Port State Control:
– Conducted per Tokyo MOU guidelines
– 100% inspection rate for high-risk flags
– Expanded inspections for vessels >15 years old
– Winter inspections:
– Focus on ice navigation equipment (Dec-Mar)
– Verification of hull heating systems
– Document verification:
– Valid IOPP Certificate
– Stability Booklet
– Crew List and Certificates
– Garbage Record Book
– Environmental compliance:
– Ballast water records (Invasive Species Act)
– Bunker delivery notes (MARPOL Annex VI)
2.2 Penalties
– Pollution violations:
– Fines up to ¥5 million (Water Pollution Control Law, Article 30)
– Criminal prosecution for deliberate discharges
– Navigation violations:
– Unauthorized anchorage: expulsion + 6-month port entry suspension
– Speed limit violations: ¥300,000 fine (Port Ordinance No. 12-2020)
– Documentation offenses:
– False declarations: penalties under Customs Act (Article 109-2)
– Missing certificates: vessel detention until rectified
3. Safety Requirements
3.1 Crew Safety
– Personal protection:
– Cold-weather PPE mandatory below -5°C (Hokkaido Labor Bureau Ordinance)
– Ice cleats required on deck during winter
– Training and drills:
– Monthly abandon-ship/fire drills (SOLAS Chapter III)
– Annual cold-water survival training for deck crew
– Medical provisions:
– Port clinic available 24/7 (JCG-certified)
– Emergency medevac coordination with JRCC Sapporo
3.2 Vessel Safety
– Structural requirements:
– Double hulls for oil tankers >600 DWT
– Ice strengthening per JIS standards
– Equipment standards:
– Winterized firefighting systems
– Deck heating for critical areas
– Mooring arrangements:
– Storm mooring mandatory during winter
– Special ice mooring procedures Nov-Apr
4. Emergency Procedures
4.1 Oil Spill Response
– Reporting:
– Immediate notification to JCG (118)
– Port authority must be informed within 15 minutes
– Containment:
– Tier-1 response within 60 minutes
– Boom deployment protocols for different spill types
– Equipment:
– Port-maintained response kits
– Vessel must provide initial containment
4.2 Search and Rescue
– Coordination:
– JRCC Sapporo as lead agency
– JMSDF Base Nemuro support
– Response capabilities:
– Average response time: 45 minutes
– Designated helicopter landing zones
– Ice rescue teams on standby Dec-Mar
5. Operational Restrictions
5.1 Ice Conditions
– Navigation limits:
– Icebreaker escort mandatory >30cm ice
– Night navigation ban during severe warnings
– Information sources:
– Daily ice reports from Okhotsk Sea Ice Observation Center
– JCG ice thickness updates every 6 hours
5.2 Environmental
– Discharge controls:
– Ballast water exchange prohibited within 12nm
– Zero discharge policy for all wastes
– Air emissions:
– 0.1% sulfur limit at berth
– Shore power connection preferred
– Noise limits:
– Engine load restrictions near residential areas
– Nighttime operations noise monitoring
6. Additional Requirements
6.1 Cybersecurity
– IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 compliance required
– Mandatory network protection measures
6.2 Crew Welfare
– MLC 2006 compliance mandatory
– Shore leave permitted under immigration rules
