1. Port Authority and Jurisdiction
The Funabashi Port is administered by the Chiba Prefectural Government under the Port and Harbor Law (Ports and Harbors Act, Act No. 218 of 1950). The Chiba Prefecture Port Bureau oversees regulatory compliance and enforcement, with additional oversight from the Tokyo Bay Sea Area jurisdiction of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). The port operates under both national and prefectural maritime laws, including the Maritime Traffic Safety Act and local ordinances.
2. Port Entry and Departure Regulations
– Advance Notice: Ships exceeding 500 GT must submit a Port Entry Notification to the Chiba Prefecture Port Bureau at least 24 hours before arrival (Maritime Traffic Safety Act, Article 22). Vessels carrying hazardous materials must additionally notify the Funabashi Fire Department 48 hours in advance (Fire Service Act, Article 10-3).
– Mandatory Reporting: All vessels must maintain continuous VHF Channel 16 monitoring and report to Funabashi Port Control when entering/leaving. AIS must remain operational (Japan Coast Guard Ordinance No. 25, 2003).
– Restricted Areas: Designated zones (oil berths, naval areas) require special permits (Funabashi Port Security Ordinance, Article 5). Anchoring prohibited in navigation channels (Tokyo Bay Port Regulations, Article 7).
– Quarantine: International vessels must comply with Japan’s Quarantine Act (Act No. 201 of 1951), including health declarations and potential inspections.
– New Addition: Vessels with draft exceeding 12m must coordinate with port authorities for tide window scheduling (Funabashi Port Tide Management Directive 2022).
3. Navigation and Safety Rules
– Speed Limits: 5 knots in inner harbor (Funabashi Port Operation Rules, Section 3-2). Vessels >200m LOA require 10% under-keel clearance (Tokyo Bay Navigation Safety Guidelines).
– Pilotage: Mandatory for vessels >3,000 GT or carrying dangerous goods (Chiba Prefecture Pilotage Ordinance). Pilot boarding at 35°41’N, 140°00’E (JCG Notice No. 12/2021).
– Traffic Separation: Keiyo Sea Route follows COLREGs Rule 10 with Tokyo MARTIS monitoring.
– Night Navigation: Functional navigation lights required (Maritime Safety Law, Article 28).
– New Addition: Tug escort required for vessels >250m LOA during berthing (Funabashi Port Safety Amendment 2023).
4. Environmental Compliance
– Oil Discharge: Zero discharge policy (Water Pollution Control Act, Article 13). SOPEP required for tankers (MLIT approval).
– Waste Management: Mandatory use of port reception facilities (Port Waste Disposal Ordinance, Article 8). Hazardous waste requires pre-notification.
– Air Emissions: 0.10% sulfur cap at berth (Air Pollution Control Act 2020). Shore power priority (Green Port Initiative).
– New Addition: Ballast water management must comply with Japan’s BWM Act (2024 standards).
5. Dangerous Goods Handling
– Notification: IMDG manifests 48 hours prior (Fire Service Act, Article 10-3). Special permits for Class 1/7 materials.
– Storage: Explosives require segregated, temperature-controlled storage (Industrial Safety and Health Act, Article 55-2).
– Equipment: Certified cranes/operators only (Port Labor Safety Rules, Article 14).
– New Addition: Real-time gas monitoring required for certain chemical operations (Funabashi Port Safety Protocol 2023).
6. Crew Safety Requirements
– PPE: Mandatory hard hats, life jackets, anti-slip footwear (Industrial Safety and Health Act, Article 21). High-vis vests at night.
– Drills: Monthly SOLAS drills (Chapter III, Regulation 19). Records for PSC inspection.
– Working Hours: MLC 2006 compliance. Crew changes to Immigration Bureau.
– New Addition: Mandatory heatstroke prevention measures June-September (Japan Labor Standards Act).
7. Enforcement and Penalties
– Inspections: Random JCG inspections (ISPS/SOLAS). Possible detention (Ship Safety Act, Article 19).
– Fines: Up to ¥3M for violations (Port Regulations Law, Article 56). Repeat offenders restricted.
– Criminal Liability: Pollution/safety violations under Penal Code (Articles 206-208).
– New Addition: Enhanced penalties for falsified logbooks (Maritime Fraud Prevention Act 2023).
8. Port Infrastructure Specifications
– Main berths: North Terminal (max LOA 280m, draft 13m), South Terminal (max LOA 200m, draft 10m)
– Oil Terminal: 2 berths (Draft 15m, Class 1 certified)
– Container handling capacity: 800,000 TEU/year (2023 data)
– New Addition: Emergency response vessels stationed at 35°40’12″N 139°59’45″E (Port Safety Upgrade 2024)
