1. Port Rules and Regulations
1.1. General Provisions
Aioi Port operates under the Port Regulations Act of Japan and local ordinances of Hyogo Prefecture. All vessels must comply with:
– International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions ratified by Japan (SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREGs)
– Japanese Ports and Harbors Act
– Special Port Regulations of Hyogo Prefecture
– ISPS Code requirements for port facility security
1.2. Navigation Rules
– Speed limit: 8 knots within port limits (Hyogo Prefectural Ordinance No. 42)
– Mandatory VHF monitoring: Channel 16 (safety) + Channel 12 (port operations) (Aioi Port Notice 2020-5)
– Prohibited areas: 500m radius around LNG terminal (Aioi Port Security Zone Regulation)
– Movement plan submission: 2 hours before entry for vessels >200 GT (Japan Coast Guard Directive KOBE-2021-003)
– Tugboat requirements: Escort mandatory for vessels >50,000 DWT (Aioi Port Tugboat Guidelines)
– Daylight navigation only for vessels with air draft >40m (Harima Nada Bridge restriction)
1.3. Berthing Regulations
– Advance notice: 24 hours for vessels >500 GT (Aioi Port Management Office Notice 2021-3)
– Mooring requirements:
– Minimum 6 lines for vessels >10,000 DWT
– Additional lines required during typhoon season (June-October)
– Synthetic fiber ropes prohibited for vessels >30,000 DWT (Port of Aioi Mooring Standards)
– Operational restrictions:
– Daylight only for hazardous cargo (Port Fire Service Directive)
– Mandatory fender inspection before berthing (Aioi Port Facility Safety Code)
– Maximum stay duration: 72 hours without special permission
1.4. Environmental Regulations
– Ballast water: Zero discharge without treatment (MARPOL Annex D + Japan MLIT Regulation)
– Air emissions:
– Low-sulfur fuel (<0.1%) mandatory at berth (Japan Air Pollution Control Act)
– Shore power connection required for vessels >10,000 GT (2025 regulation)
– Waste management:
– Prohibition of open burning (Hyogo Prefecture Environmental Ordinance Article 15)
– Mandatory garbage segregation (MARPOL Annex V)
– Special handling for plastic waste (Japan Plastic Resource Circulation Act)
2. Compliance Requirements
2.1. Document Submission
Required documents (timelines):
– ISPS Code compliance (72 hours prior)
– Waste management plan (MARPOL Annex V)
– Crew documents:
– List with valid medical certificates (Japan Quarantine Act)
– STCW certificates for officers
– Cargo documents:
– Manifest with hazardous materials declaration (IMDG Code)
– Dangerous goods stowage plan
– Operational documents:
– Ballast Water Management Record Book (MLIT Regulation)
– Last port clearance certificate
2.2. Safety Equipment
Mandatory equipment includes:
– Gas detection systems for tankers (SOLAS Chapter XI-1/7)
– Life-saving appliances:
– SOLAS-approved lifeboats/rafts
– Immersion suits (November-March)
– Emergency position indicators
– Firefighting systems:
– Port-approved inspection records
– Minimum 2 fire pumps operational
– Additional requirements:
– Emergency towing arrangements (>20,000 GT)
– Oil spill containment gear for tankers
– Bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS)
2.3. Crew Certification and Health
– Certification requirements:
– Valid STCW certificates
– Port-specific familiarization training
– Health regulations:
– Alcohol limit: 0.03% BAC for duty personnel (Japan Maritime Safety Law Article 23)
– Mandatory drug testing for certain operations
– COVID-19 reporting for febrile cases (Japan Quarantine Act Amendment 2020)
– Working conditions:
– Maximum 14-hour work periods
– Minimum 10 hours rest per 24-hour period
3. Enforcement Measures
3.1. Inspection Regime
Conducted by:
– Japan Coast Guard (PSC inspections using Tokyo MOU criteria)
– ClassNK (annual structural checks for regular vessels)
– Port Authority (unannounced ISPS security drills quarterly)
Inspection focus areas:
– Safety equipment functionality
– Documentation completeness
– Crew working conditions
– Environmental compliance
3.2. Penalty System
Non-compliance consequences:
– Operational violations:
– Fine up to ¥500,000 (Port Regulations Act Article 56)
– Immediate expulsion for ISPS breaches
– Environmental violations:
– Suspension of port entry for MARPOL violations (up to 1 year)
– Criminal charges for deliberate pollution (Japan Penal Code Article 142)
– Safety violations:
– Operational suspension for critical safety failures
– Blacklisting for repeat offenders
4. Emergency Procedures
4.1. Pollution Response
– Reporting:
– Immediate notification to Aioi Marine Pollution Control Center
– Follow-up written report within 6 hours
– Containment requirements:
– Oil booms deployment within 30 minutes for tankers
– 500m safety zone for chemical spills
– Cleanup standards:
– Approved disposal contractors only
– Post-incident water quality testing
4.2. Medical Emergencies
– Facilities:
– First aid stations at Pier 3 and West Terminal
– Designated quarantine area
– Evacuation procedures:
– Helicopter coordination via JCG Kobe Station (VHF Ch16)
– Ambulance access routes maintained clear
– Infectious disease protocols:
– Isolation procedures
– Contact tracing requirements
4.3. Weather and Seismic Events
– Typhoon response:
– Warning level 3: Cargo operations cease
– Warning level 4: Mandatory evacuation
– Earthquake procedures:
– Intensity 5+: Tsunami evacuation
– Post-quake structural inspections required
– Tsunami preparedness:
– Designated evacuation routes
– Height markers at all berths
5. Operational Restrictions
5.1. Cargo Operations
– Prohibited materials:
– UN Class 1 explosives without permit
– Radioactive materials exceeding Category II
– Operational limits:
– Night operations require Port Master approval
– Grain dust control measures mandatory
– Maximum simultaneous operations: 2 cranes per vessel
5.2. Vessel Activities
– Crew shore leave:
– Designated zones only
– Curfew: 2200-0600 hours
– Work permits:
– Hot work requires safety briefing
– Confined space entry permits
– Prohibited activities:
– Fishing from vessels
– Unauthorized photography of port facilities
6. Technical Standards
6.1. Vessel Specifications
– Dimensional limits:
– Maximum LOA: 250m (West Terminal)
– Air draft: 45m (bridge restriction)
– Draft: 14m (channel depth)
– Equipment requirements:
– AIS transponder (>300 GT)
– VHF DSC capability
– ECDIS (vessels >10,000 GT)
6.2. Port Infrastructure
– Terminal capabilities:
– West Terminal: 100,000 DWT max
– East Terminal: 50,000 DWT max
– Equipment standards:
– Container cranes: 50-ton SWL
– Mooring bollards: 150-ton capacity
– Navigation aids:
– IALA Buoyage System
– Radar coverage of entire port area
