1. Port Authority and Jurisdiction
– Primary regulator: Korea Port Authority (KPA) under Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)
– Legal framework:
• Korean Harbor Act (Act No. 17289, revised 2023)
• Maritime Safety Act (Act No. 18445)
• IMO conventions ratified by Korea
– Port limits: 12.5 km² operational area with 8.3 km of quay walls (KPA 2023 Statistical Report)
– Special designations:
• Free Trade Zone since 2011 (Presidential Decree No. 22900)
• Designated LNG bunkering port (MOF Notice 2022-47)
2. Vessel Entry and Clearance Procedures
– Notification requirements:
• Standard vessels: 24-hour advance notice via VTS
• Hazardous cargo vessels: 48-hour notice
• VLCCs (>200,000 DWT): 72-hour notice with draft confirmation
– Electronic submission:
• Mandatory use of KPA’s e-Port system (Maritime Safety Act Article 24)
• Required documents:
– IMO FAL Forms 1-6 (including Form E for health declaration)
– Crew list with passport/CDC numbers (Immigration Control Act Article 6)
– Detailed cargo manifest (Customs Act Article 241)
– Valid certificates (Registry, Class, P&I, etc.)
– Health protocols:
• Quarantine Act Article 7-2 compliance
• Current infectious disease measures per KDCA Notice 2023-11
• Medical waste handling procedures for vessels with sick crew
3. Navigation and Safety Regulations
– Speed restrictions:
• Inner harbor: 10 knots (KPA Notice 2023-12)
• Fishing zones: 5 knots within 500m
• LNG terminal area: 8 knots
– Navigation equipment:
• Mandatory AIS (SOLAS Chapter V/19)
• ECDIS requirement for vessels >3,000 GT (IMO MSC.1/Circ.1503)
• VHF radios with DSC capability
– Restricted areas:
• Anchorage Prohibited Zone A (NOAA Chart KR-4102, 2023 edition)
• 1km exclusion around submarine cables (Telecommunications Act Article 45)
• Military security zones near Pier 9
– Pilotage services:
• Compulsory for:
– Vessels >10,000 GT
– All tankers carrying hazardous cargo
– Vessels with draft >12m
• Availability: 24/7 with 2-hour advance booking
• Tug requirements:
– 1 tug for 10,000-50,000 GT
– 2 tugs for 50,000-100,000 GT
– 3 tugs for >100,000 GT
4. Dangerous Cargo Operations
– Regulatory framework:
• IMDG Code (2022 edition) implementation
• Korean Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
• MOF Ordinance No. 833 (Hazardous Materials Handling)
– Approval process:
• Standard hazardous materials: 72-hour notice (KPA Form DG-7)
• Radioactive materials: 96-hour notice + radiation safety plan
• LNG bunkering: Special permit required (MOF Notice 2022-47)
– Operational restrictions:
• Explosives: Pier 3 only (MOF Ordinance No. 2021-45)
• Flammable liquids: Piers 5-7 with vapor recovery systems
• Toxic gases: Daylight operations only
– Safety protocols:
• Fire watch teams during operations (NFPA 307)
• 500m exclusion zone during transfers
• Bonding and grounding systems for all flammable transfers
• Emergency shutdown systems tested quarterly
5. Environmental Protection Measures
– Discharge controls:
• Zero discharge policy for:
– Bilge water (MARPOL Annex I)
– Sewage (MARPOL Annex IV)
– Oily mixtures (MARPOL Annex I/15)
• Gray water discharge only at approved reception facilities
– Air emissions:
• 0.1% sulfur cap in ECA (MOF Enforcement Decree 2020-38)
• Shore power priority for vessels at berth >4 hours
• NOx Tier III requirements for vessels built after 2021
– Waste management:
• Garbage Record Book (MARPOL Annex V)
• Separate disposal streams for:
– Oily waste (KPA Waste Directive 5.3)
– Food waste (Waste Control Act Article 12)
– Recyclables
– Ballast water:
• D-2 standard enforcement (IMO BWM Convention)
• Mandatory exchange >200nm from coast for non-compliant vessels
– Spill response:
• Tier 2 capacity (500-ton containment)
• MOF-certified contractors on 1-hour standby
• Drills conducted quarterly
6. Crew Safety and Welfare
– Maritime Labor Convention 2006 compliance:
• Minimum accommodation standards (MLC Title 3)
• Maximum working hours (14 hours/day, 72 hours/week)
• Medical certification (STCW Regulation I/9)
– Safety drills:
• Monthly abandon ship drills (SOLAS Chapter III/19)
• Quarterly fire drills with port authority observation
• Annual oil spill response drills for tankers
– Personal Protective Equipment:
• High-visibility vests (EN ISO 20471:2013)
• Hard hats (ANSI Z89.1 or equivalent)
• Safety harnesses for heights >2m (EN 361)
• Chemical protection gear for hazardous operations
– Medical services:
• Port medical clinic (24/7 with trauma capability)
• MOF-certified first aid kits (Maritime Safety Act Article 30)
• Helicopter medevac available through KCG Station 131
– Shore leave:
• Visa requirements per Immigration Act
• Designated crew change facilities at Terminal 2
7. Enforcement and Penalties
– Administrative penalties:
• AIS tampering: KRW 50 million max (Harbor Act Article 76)
• Improper waste disposal: KRW 30 million
• Safety violations: KRW 20-100 million depending on severity
– Detention measures:
• 30-day PSC detention for MARPOL violations
• 7-day detention for safety equipment deficiencies
• Immediate detention for unauthorized hazardous operations
– Blacklisting system:
• 3 violations within 12 months triggers blacklist (KPA Regulation 15.2)
• Minimum 6-month port entry ban
• Public listing on KPA website
– Inspection regime:
• 100% inspection for:
– High-risk vessels (age >20 years, poor PSC record)
– All tankers and gas carriers
• Random 20% inspection rate for other vessels
• Concentrated inspection campaigns (CIC) biannually
8. Emergency Response Protocols
– Communication systems:
• Primary: VHF Ch.16/12 monitored 24/7
• Secondary: UHF Ch.23 for port operations
• Backup: Satellite phone link to KPA HQ
– Oil spill response:
• Tier 2 capacity (500-ton initial containment)
• Equipment stockpiles at:
– Main response base at Pier 1
– Secondary depot at North Terminal
• Drills conducted quarterly with KCG participation
– Firefighting resources:
• Port fire station (response time <5 minutes)
• Specialized foam systems at all liquid cargo piers
• Fireboats stationed at central harbor area
– Medical emergency:
• MOU with Donghae Medical Center (Level II trauma center)
• Helicopter landing zones at Piers 3 and 7
• Mass casualty incident plan (MOF Guideline 2021-5)
– Security incidents:
• ISPS Code compliant response procedures
• Dedicated port security force (24/7)
• Coordination with Korean Coast Guard
9. Operational Requirements
– Bunkering operations:
• Prior approval from KPA Operations Division
• Mandatory spill containment deployment
• Continuous gas monitoring for LNG bunkering
– Ship repairs:
• Hot work permit system (KPA Form HW-9)
• Environmental bond required for major repairs
• Asbestos handling prohibited (Occupational Safety Act Article 38)
– Night operations:
• Additional lighting (minimum 200 lux, ISO 14837:2005)
• 50% surcharge for pilotage after 2200
• Reduced speed limits in darkness
– Cargo operations:
• Container weight verification (SOLAS VI/2)
• Grain loading restrictions during high winds
• Special handling for project cargo >100 tons
10. Compliance Certification and Audits
– Mandatory certifications:
• ISPS Code compliance (for vessels >500 GT)
• Port Facility Security Plan (approved annually)
• ISO 28000:2007 for logistics operators
• Green Port Certification for terminals
– Audit requirements:
• Annual safety audit for terminal operators
• Biannual environmental audit
• Quarterly ISPS compliance checks
– Recognized classification societies:
• KR, ABS, DNV, LR, BV, NK, etc. (MOF Notice 2021-33)
– Port State Control:
• Tokyo MOU member
• 3-year inspection cycle for quality vessels
• Expanded inspection criteria per IMO Res.A.1155(32)
11. Port Infrastructure Specifications
– Main berths:
• Pier 1: General cargo (LOA 200m, draft 12m)
• Piers 2-3: Containers (LOA 350m, draft 15m)
• Piers 4-5: Bulk carriers (LOA 250m, draft 14m)
• Piers 6-7: Liquid bulk (LOA 300m, draft 18m)
• Pier 8: Ro-Ro (LOA 180m, draft 10m)
• Pier 9: Military/Navy use
– Anchorage areas:
• Anchorage A: 15m depth, 2nm NE of port entrance
• Anchorage B: 20m depth, 3nm E of port entrance
– Navigational aids:
• 2 main breakwater lights (characteristics on NOAA Chart KR-4102)
• 12 channel buoys (IALA Region A)
• DGPS available (accuracy <5m)
12. Meteorological Restrictions
– Operational limits:
• Wind: Operations cease at sustained 25m/s (Beaufort 10)
• Waves: Berthing prohibited at significant wave height >3m
• Visibility: Pilotage suspended at <500m visibility
– Typhoon procedures:
• Phase 1 alert (48hr forecast): Secure cargo
• Phase 2 alert (24hr forecast): Vessels >10,000 GT must depart
• Phase 3 alert (12hr forecast): All commercial operations cease
– Winter operations:
• Ice monitoring from December-March
• Limited tugs available during freezing conditions
• Special cold weather PPE requirements
