1. General Overview of Itozaki Port Regulations
Itozaki Port operates under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Compliance with the Ports and Harbors Act (Act No. 218 of 1950) and local ordinances is mandatory. The port is classified as a “Major Port” under MLIT’s designation, with specific rules enforced by the Itozaki Port Authority (IPA).
2. Vessel Entry and Departure Procedures
– Pre-arrival Notification: Ships exceeding 500 GT must submit a Notice of Entry (NOE) to IPA 24 hours prior to arrival via the Japan Maritime Information System (J-MIS).
– Mandatory Documents: Valid certificates (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISPS), crew list, and cargo manifest must be presented to IPA inspectors.
– Restricted Areas: No-entry zones are marked in nautical charts JP-2118A (2023 edition) and enforced by Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrols.
3. Navigation and Safety Requirements
– Speed Limits: 8 knots within inner harbor (IPA Ordinance No. 12-2021).
– Pilotage: Compulsory for vessels >10,000 GT or carrying hazardous materials (IAPH Class 1-3).
– Emergency Protocols: Immediate VHF Channel 16 contact required for incidents, followed by JCG Form 33 submission within 2 hours.
4. Environmental Compliance
– Discharge Restrictions: Zero discharge policy for oil (MARPOL Annex I) and sewage (Annex IV) within 12nm of port.
– Waste Handling: Mandatory use of licensed contractors for hazardous waste (JP Waste Management Act, Article 15-3).
5. Crew Safety Regulations
– PPE Requirements: Hard hats, life jackets, and anti-slip footwear mandatory on docks (IPA Safety Code 2022).
– Training6. Enforcement and Penalties
– Violation Fines: Up to ¥5 million for illegal discharges (Pollution Control Law Article 32).
– Vessel Detention: Authorized for non-compliant ships under Ports and Harbors Act Article 56.
7. Reference Documents
– MLIT Port Regulations Handbook (2023)
– IMO Circular SN.1/Circ.345 (Japan-specific amendments)
– Itozaki Port Nautical Chart JP-2118A (JCG Hydrographic Department)
8. Cargo Handling and Storage Regulations
– Dangerous Goods: IMDG Code compliance required for hazardous cargo. Segregation as per Class 1-9 must be maintained (IPA Cargo Handling Directive 2021).
– Container Weight Verification: Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declaration mandatory under SOLAS VI/2 before loading.
– Storage Time Limits: Maximum 7 days for perishable goods in open storage (IPA Ordinance No. 8-2022).
9. Mooring and Anchorage Rules
– Designated Anchorage Areas: Anchoring permitted only in Zone A (JP-2118A Chart) with prior IPA approval.
– Mooring Equipment: Ships must provide valid mooring line certificates (ISO 2307:2017 standard).
– Tug Assistance: Required for vessels >15,000 GT during berthing/unberthing (IPA Navigation Rule 14).
10. Port Security Measures
– ISPS Code Compliance: Security Level 1 enforced; ships must submit Security Declaration 6 hours before arrival.
– Restricted Access
– Surveillance11. Fuel and Bunkering Operations
– Fuel Quality Standards: Must meet Japan’s 0.1% sulfur cap (Air Pollution Control Act, Article 14-2).
– Spill Prevention: Double-hose transfer system mandatory for vessels >5,000 GT (MARPOL Annex I Reg. 35A).
– Bunkering Notification12. Crew Health and Welfare
– Medical Facilities
– Vaccination Requirements: Yellow Fever vaccination proof required if arriving from endemic regions (WHO IHR 2005).
– Shore Leave Restrictions13. Port Dues and Fees
– Calculation Basis: Tonnage-based fees per MLIT Tariff Schedule (2023 Revision).
– Waste Disposal Fees: ¥3,000/ton for general waste; ¥15,000/ton for hazardous waste (IPA Waste Fee Table).
– Late Payment Penalty14. Weather and Operational Restrictions
– Typhoon Procedures25m/s).
– Fog Navigation
– Ice Conditions15. Incident Reporting Obligations
– Marine Accidents
– Pollution Incidents
– Injury/Death Reporting16. Ship Repair and Maintenance Regulations
– Dry Dock Requirements: Vessels requiring hull repairs must use IPA-approved facilities (List R-2023).
– Hot Work Permits: Mandatory fire watch and gas-free certificates for welding/grinding (IPA Safety Directive 9.4).
– Waste Disposal: Paint chips and blasting materials must be collected by licensed contractors (Waste Management Act Art. 16).
17. Ballast Water Management
– IMO D-2 Standard: Mandatory treatment for all vessels >400 GT (Japan’s BWM Act 2014).
– Reporting: Ballast Water Record Book must be submitted to JCG inspectors upon arrival.
– Sampling Rights18. Customs and Immigration Procedures
– Crew Declaration
– Customs Inspection
– Prohibited Items19. Port Traffic Management
– VTS Coverage
– Traffic Separation Scheme
– Overtaking Ban20. Special Operations
– Heavy Lift Cargo100 tons (Special Cargo Form H-3).
– Night Operations
– Military Vessels21. Port State Control Inspections
– Target Factors2 deficiencies in last 12 months (Tokyo MOU criteria).
– Detainable Offenses
– Appeal Process22. Small Craft Regulations
– Speed Limit
– Mandatory Equipment3 tons.
– Fishing Restrictions23. Dangerous Weather Contingencies
– Tsunami Protocol
– Heavy Snow30cm within 4 hours (IPA Winter Ops 7.2).
– Lightning Alert24. Historical and Cultural Protections
– Underwater Heritage
– Noise Control
– Wildlife Protection25. Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfer Operations
– Authorization Required: Prior approval from both IPA and Japan Coast Guard (JCG Form STS-5).
– Safety Zone: 500m exclusion radius must be maintained during transfers (IMO MSC.1/Circ.1504).
– Monitoring26. Port Emergency Response
– Firefighting Capacity
– Oil Spill Response
– Medical Evacuation27. Vessel Air Emission Controls
– Shore Power10,000 GT during berthing (MLIT Ordinance 2024-12).
– Engine Restrictions
– Monitoring28. Diving Operations
– Permit Requirements
– Safety Measures
– Restricted Areas29. Port Labor Regulations
– Stevedore Licensing
– Working Hours
– Union Requirements30. Ice Navigation (Seasonal)
– Icebreaker Assistance30cm.
– Hull Inspections
– Speed Reduction31. Archaeological Discoveries
– Reporting Obligation
– Work Stoppage
– Penalties32. Port Lighting Requirements
– Navigational Lights
– Work Area Lighting
– Light Pollution33. Vessel Sanitation
– Deratting Certificates
– Wastewater
– Pest Control34. Military and State Vessels
– Diplomatic Clearance
– Armed Guards
– Restricted Areas35. Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting
– Automatic Identification System (AIS): Continuous transmission required for all vessels >300 GT (SOLAS V/19.2.4).
– Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT): Mandatory for passenger ships and vessels >300 GT on international voyages.
– Movement Reporting: Hourly position reports required when transiting within 5nm of port limits (JCG Notice 2023-15).
36. Port Facility Security
– Access Control: Biometric verification required for all personnel entering restricted areas (ISPS Code Part A/16.3).
– Security Drills: Quarterly mandatory drills including bomb threat and unauthorized boarding scenarios.
– Restricted Items37. Special Cargo Handling
– Oversized Cargo
– Radioactive Materials
– Livestock Transport38. Port Infrastructure Usage
– Berth Allocation
– Equipment Standards
– Infrastructure Limits39. Marine Pollution Prevention
– Garbage Management
– Anti-Fouling Systems
– Noise Mitigation40. Vessel Maintenance in Port
– Underwater Cleaning
– Paint Application
– Engine Repairs41. Navigation in Restricted Visibility
– Radar Operation
– Speed Adjustment
– Communication Protocol42. Port Services and Utilities
– Fresh Water Supply
– Bunker Sampling
– Waste Reception43. Vessel Dimension Limitations
– Maximum Length
– Air Draft
– Beam Restrictions44. Port Communication Protocols
– Primary Channels
– Language Requirements
– Emergency Broadcasts45. Dangerous Weather Contingency Plans
– Typhoon Preparedness: Mandatory double mooring when sustained winds exceed 25 knots (IPA Storm Protocol 3.2).
– Tsunami Response
– Extreme Cold46. Port Entry Restrictions for Damaged Vessels
– Structural Integrity15° list or compromised watertight integrity denied entry.
– Emergency Repairs
– Towage Requirements47. Special Area Environmental Protections
– Sensitive Ecosystems
– Ballast Exchange
– Underwater Noise: Strict dB limits during marine mammal migration seasons (March-June, September-November).
48. Vessel Lay-up Procedures
– Designated Areas
– Safety Requirements
– Environmental Bonds6 months.
49. Port Approach Navigation
– Pilot Boarding Areas: Clearly marked 2nm NE of Breakwater Light (JP-2118A Chart).
– Traffic Separation
– Current Awareness50. Historical Wreck Protection
– No-Anchor Zones
– Survey Requirements: Magnetometer sweep required before dredging operations.
– Artifact Reporting51. Port Facility Maintenance Standards
– Fender Inspections
– Depth Verification
– Lighting Maintenance52. Vessel Manning Requirements
– Minimum Crew
– Watchkeeping
– Language Proficiency53. Port Emergency Drills
– Quarterly Exercises
– Scenario Testing
– Debrief Requirements54. Special Tide Considerations
– Spring Tide Restrictions12m draft limited to ±2 hours of high water.
– Current Tables
– Mooring Adjustments4m).
