1. Port Rules and Regulations
1.1. Navigation Rules: Monbetsu Port adheres to Japan’s Maritime Traffic Safety Act (海上交通安全法) and local ordinances. Vessels must comply with speed limits (max 8 knots in inner harbor) and designated traffic lanes as per Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau notices.
1.2. Berthing Regulations: Mandatory prior notification to Monbetsu Port Authority 24 hours before arrival (via JP-Mod system). Fishing vessels over 20 GT require separate mooring permits under Hokkaido Fishery Adjustment Rules.
1.3. Dangerous Cargo: Strict compliance with ISPS Code and Japan’s Fire Service Act (消防法). Class-1 hazardous materials require 72-hour pre-arrival notice with MSDS submission.
1.4. Waste Disposal: Enforced under Port Regulations Act (港湾則法). Oil record book mandatory for vessels >150 GT. Discharge prohibited within 12 nautical miles (Japan’s Special Areas designation under MARPOL).
2. Compliance and Enforcement
2.1. Inspections: Japan Coast Guard conducts quarterly safety audits focusing on:
– SOLAS compliance (life-saving appliances certification)
– ISM Code documentation
– Ballast water management records (Japan’s Ship Recycling Act)
2.2. Penalties: Non-compliance may result in:
– Fines up to ¥500,000 for pollution violations (Marine Pollution Prevention Act)
– Operational suspension for repeated safety breaches (max 30 days)
2.3. Port State Control: Tokyo MOU inspection regime applies with 15% annual inspection rate for foreign vessels. Priority given to:
– Bulk carriers >15 years old
– Tankers without recent SIRE reports
3. Safety Requirements
3.1. Crew Protection: Mandatory under Japan’s Industrial Safety and Health Act (労働安全衛生法):
– Cold weather gear (Nov-Mar) for deck operations
– Gangway safety nets when air temp <0°C
3.2. Emergency Procedures: Port maintains Tier-1 oil spill response capability as per Hokkaido Oil Spill Contingency Plan. Vessels must conduct monthly abandon-ship drills with port participation.
3.3. Ice Navigation: Dec-Mar operations require:
– Ice class certification (JIS Class IA minimum)
– Tug escort for vessels >5,000 DWT
4. Operational Directives
4.1. Pilotage: Compulsory for vessels >200 GT (Monbetsu Port Ordinance No.12). Pilot boarding area at 44°21’N 143°21’E.
4.2. Tug Requirements: Minimum bollard pull:
– 10 tons for vessels 5,000-10,000 DWT
– 20 tons for vessels >10,000 DWT
4.3. VHF Channels: Continuous monitoring on Ch.16. Port operations on Ch.12 (Japanese/English).
5. Environmental Compliance
5.1. Air Emissions: Sulfur cap 0.1% in port (Japan’s Air Pollution Control Act). Shore power available at Berth 3-5 (60Hz/440V).
5.2. Wildlife Protection: Speed reduction zones during seal migration (Apr-May) per Hokkaido Environmental Ordinance.
6. Vessel Traffic Management
6.1. AIS Requirements: Mandatory for all vessels >300 GT under Japan’s Ship Safety Act. Continuous transmission within port limits (3nm radius from 44°21’30″N 143°21’15″E).
6.2. Reporting Points: Vessels must report at:
– 12nm NE of port entrance (Waypoint MBP-1)
– Breakwater entrance (Waypoint MBP-2)
6.3. Anchorage Areas: Designated zones:
– Anchorage A: 44°22’N 143°23’E (max draft 15m)
– Emergency Anchorage: 44°20’N 143°19’E (soft mud bottom)
7. Cargo Operations
7.1. Loading/Unloading: Compliance with Japan’s Port Labor Safety Law requires:
– Certified stevedores for hazardous materials
– Hatch cover safety checks before operations
7.2. Grain Handling: Dust suppression mandatory during transfers (Hokkaido Air Quality Standards). Static electricity bonding for bulk carriers.
7.3. Timber Cargo: Securing per CSS Code with additional lashing requirements for winter shipments (Nov-Feb).
8. Port Services
8.1. Bunkering: Only licensed providers permitted (Hokkaido Fuel Quality Control Ordinance). Sampling required for each delivery.
8.2. Provisions: All food imports require Japan Quarantine Service inspection (Animal Quarantine Act).
8.3. Slop Reception: Available at Berth 7 (advance notice 6 hours). Records submitted to Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
9. Ice Season Procedures
9.1. Icebreaking: Available Dec-Mar (Hokkaido Development Bureau icebreakers). Priority given to:
– Fuel carriers
– Passenger vessels
9.2. Hull Inspections: Mandatory ultrasonic thickness testing for vessels remaining in port >48 hours during freeze periods.
9.3. Mooring Heaters: Required at all berths when temperature <-10°C (Port Facility Maintenance Standards).
10. Crew Welfare
10.1. Shore Leave: Permitted with valid seafarer’s ID (ISPS compliant). Curfew 2300-0500 hrs for non-essential personnel.
10.2. Medical Services: Port clinic available 24/7 (Japan Medical License required for treatment). Emergency contact: JRCC Sapporo VHF Ch.16.
10.3. Crew Changes: Subject to Japan Immigration Control Act. Pre-approved agents must handle documentation.
11. Port Security Measures
11.1. ISPS Compliance: All vessels must submit Security Declaration 24 hours prior to arrival. Port Security Level 1 enforced year-round with random Level 2 upgrades during special events.
11.2. Restricted Areas: Clearly marked zones under Port Facility Security Plan:
– Fuel storage area (Berth 8-9)
– Container inspection yard
11.3. Armed Guards: Prohibited under Japan’s Sword and Firearms Control Law. Private security requires special permit from Hokkaido Prefectural Police.
12. Meteorological Restrictions
12.1. Wind Limits: Operations cease when:
– Sustained winds >15m/s (Beaufort 7)
– Gusts >20m/s for container operations
12.2. Visibility: Pilotage suspended when <500m visibility. Vessels at anchor must sound fog signals per COLREGs.
12.3. Sea Ice: Daily ice reports issued by Japan Coast Guard (frequency 0830/1430 JST).
13. Special Cargo Handling
13.1. Refrigerated Containers: Mandatory temperature log submission every 4 hours. Emergency power connection points available at Berth 5.
13.2. Project Cargo: Advance notice 72 hours for:
– Overwidth (>12m) loads
– Heavy lifts (>100 tons)
13.3. Livestock: Animal Welfare Act compliance required. Minimum ventilation rates enforced during port stay.
14. Port Fees and Charges
14.1. Tonnage Dues: Calculated per Japan Ports and Harbors Association tariff:
– ¥32/GT for first 10,000 GT
– ¥28/GT for excess tonnage
14.2. Icebreaking Fees: ¥150,000 per operation (waived for vessels with annual port call contract).
14.3. Overtime Charges: 150% normal rate for operations:
– 2000-0600 hrs
– National holidays
15. Emergency Contacts
15.1. Port Control: VHF Ch.12 (primary), Ch.16 (emergency)
15.2. Medical Emergency: Monbetsu City Hospital (designated maritime medical facility)
15.3. Pollution Response: Hokkaido Marine Disaster Prevention Center (24-hour hotline)
16. Port Infrastructure Specifications
16.1. Berth Dimensions:
– Berth 1-3: 200m LOA, 10m draft
– Berth 4-6: 150m LOA, 8m draft
– Ro-Ro Berth: 180m LOA, 9.5m draft
16.2. Load Capacity: Maximum 5 t/m² for all quays (Hokkaido Port Construction Standards)
16.3. Mooring Equipment: Double bollards rated 50t SWL at 30m intervals
17. Vessel Size Limitations
17.1. Maximum Dimensions:
– Length: 230m (tidal window required >200m)
– Beam: 32m
– Air Draft: 28m (restricted by bridge clearance)
17.2. Tide Restrictions: +2.5m chart datum for vessels >12m draft
18. Customs Procedures
18.1. Clearance Requirements:
– Crew list submission 6 hours before arrival
– Prohibited items declaration (Japan Customs Law Article 69)
18.2. Temporary Imports: Bonded warehouse available (72-hour maximum)
19. Fishing Vessel Regulations
19.1. Special Berthing: Designated areas for vessels <50 GT
19.2. Catch Handling: Mandatory refrigeration inspection for export products
20. Winter Navigation Aids
20.1. Ice Channels: Marked with special buoys (yellow with blue stripe)
20.2. Thermal Cameras: Installed at port entrance for ice detection
20.3. Emergency Shelters: Heated dockside shelters available during extreme cold (<-15°C)
21. Dangerous Goods Handling
21.1. Classification: Strict adherence to IMDG Code with additional Japan-specific requirements for:
– Class 1 explosives (special storage bunkers available)
– Class 6.2 infectious substances (quarantine protocols)
21.2. Segregation: Mandatory 50m separation between incompatible DG categories during storage
21.3. Emergency Equipment: Dedicated foam stations at all DG berths (capacity 5000L/min)
22. Ballast Water Management
22.1. Reporting: Mandatory submission of Ballast Water Reporting Form 24h before arrival
22.2. Treatment: Compliance with Japan’s stricter discharge standards (≤10 organisms/m³ for ≥50μm)
22.3. Sampling: Random checks conducted by Japan Coast Guard (20% of visiting vessels)
23. Port Entry/Exit Procedures
23.1. Documentation: Original certificates required for inspection:
– Registry
– Class certificates
– P&I insurance
23.2. Clearance: Average processing time 2 hours for complete documentation
23.3. Special Cases: Military vessels require 14-day prior notice via diplomatic channels
24. Waste Management Facilities
24.1. Reception Capacity:
– Oily waste: 50m³/day
– Garbage: 20 tons/day
24.2. Segregation: Seven-category system per Japan Waste Management Law
24.3. Records: Digital tracking system for all waste transfers (J-ETS certified)
25. Port Communication Protocols
25.1. Language: Japanese/English bilingual announcements required
25.2. Emergency Broadcasts: Tested weekly (Wednesdays 1000 JST)
25.3. Digital Systems: Mandatory use of Port-Log for all commercial vessels >500 GT
26. Vessel Inspection Requirements
26.1. Pre-Arrival Checks: Mandatory submission of last port inspection report for vessels >10,000 GT
26.2. Hull Inspection: Underwater survey required for vessels with hull damage exceeding 300mm
26.3. Cargo Holds: Grain carriers must demonstrate gas-free certification before loading
27. Tug and Pilotage Services
27.1. Minimum Requirements: Two tugs mandatory for vessels >15,000 DWT in winter months
27.2. Pilot Transfer: Helicopter transfer available for emergency situations (weather permitting)
27.3. Escort Towing: Required for VLCCs during entire port transit
28. Port Lighting and Visibility
28.1. Navigation Lights: Special high-intensity LED lights installed for ice conditions
28.2. Berth Lighting: Minimum 200 lux maintained at all operational berths
28.3. Emergency Lighting: Battery-backed systems with 8-hour autonomy
29. Crew Training Requirements
29.1. Cold Weather Operations: Mandatory certification for deck officers during winter season
29.2. Emergency Drills: Monthly abandon-ship exercises must include ice survival techniques
29.3. Language Proficiency: Bridge team must demonstrate JLPT N4 level Japanese or equivalent
30. Port Environmental Monitoring
30.1. Water Quality: Daily sampling at 5 designated points in harbor area
30.2. Air Quality: Continuous PM2.5 monitoring with public display system
30.3. Wildlife Protection: Seasonal speed restrictions in marine mammal migration corridors
31. Port Navigation Aids
31.1. Buoy System: 28 lighted buoys with radar reflectors marking main channel
31.2. DGPS Service: Available 24/7 with accuracy ±1m (Japan Coast Guard Station 1287kHz)
31.3. Ice Buoys: Special heated buoys deployed December-March
32. Vessel Speed Limits
32.1. Harbor Area: Maximum 8 knots within port limits
32.2. Maneuvering Areas: 5 knots within 500m of berths
32.3. Ice Conditions: Speed proportional to ice thickness (formula posted at port entrance)
33. Port Firefighting Capabilities
33.1. Response Time: Guaranteed 5-minute arrival at any berth
33.2. Equipment: Two 10,000L/min fireboats with foam capability
33.3. Drills: Quarterly joint exercises with municipal fire department
34. Special Cargo Documentation
34.1. Heavy Lift: Engineering calculations required for loads >150 tons
34.2. Hazardous Materials: Japanese-translated MSDS mandatory
34.3. Perishables: Phytosanitary certificates for all agricultural products
35. Port IT Infrastructure
35.1. Network: Secure 1Gbps fiber optic backbone with 99.9% uptime
35.2. Cybersecurity: Mandatory IEC 62443-3-3 compliance for all port systems
35.3. Data Retention: 7-year archival of all operational records
36. Port Fuel Services
36.1. Bunkering Options: Available at Berths 3 and 7 (24-hour notice required)
36.2. Fuel Types: MGO, IFO 380, and LNG (limited availability)
36.3. Quality Control: ISO 8217 compliance with batch testing records available
37. Vessel Repair Services
37.1. Dry Dock: 250m length, 40m beam capacity (advance booking required)
37.2. Emergency Repairs: Certified welders available 24/7
37.3. Spare Parts: Major marine suppliers maintain local stock
38. Port Security Zones
38.1. Access Control: Biometric scanners at all restricted area entry points
38.2. Surveillance: 360° CCTV coverage with 30-day video retention
38.3. Patrols: Armed security teams conduct random checks
39. Environmental Protection
39.1. Oil Spill Response: Tier 2 capability (500 ton capacity)
39.2. Waste Recycling: 85% of port waste diverted from landfill
39.3. Noise Control: Nighttime operations limited to 65dB
40. Port Health Services
40.1. Medical Facility: 24/7 clinic with decompression chamber
40.2. Quarantine: Designated holding area for suspected cases
40.3. Sanitation: Monthly pest control for all port buildings
41. Port Meteorological Services
41.1. Weather Station: Real-time data updated every 10 minutes
41.2. Storm Warnings: Automatic alerts for winds >25 knots
41.3. Tide Predictions: Custom tables available for each berth
42. Vessel Traffic Management
42.1. VTS Coverage: 24/7 monitoring within 20nm radius
42.2. Reporting Points: Mandatory position reports at 4 designated waypoints
42.3. Traffic Separation: Enforced in main approach channel
43. Port Storage Facilities
43.1. Warehouses: 50,000m² total capacity (temperature-controlled options available)
43.2. Open Storage: 15ha paved area with security fencing
43.3. Cold Storage: -25°C capability for 500 TEU equivalent
44. Port Power Supply
44.1. Shore Power: Available at 6 berths (6.6kV/60Hz)
44.2. Emergency Backup: 5MW diesel generators with 72-hour fuel supply
44.3. Renewable Energy: 2MW solar array on terminal roofs
45. Port Community System
45.1. Electronic Data: Single window for all regulatory submissions
45.2. Cargo Tracking: Real-time container visibility
45.3. Payment Portal: Secure online settlement for all port fees
46. Port Customs Procedures
46.1. Clearance Times: Average 1.5 hours for standard declarations
46.2. Inspection Rates: 5% random selection for physical examination
46.3. AEO Benefits: Fast-track processing for certified operators
47. Dangerous Cargo Storage
47.1. Classified Zones: 8 dedicated areas with blast-resistant construction
47.2. Monitoring: Continuous gas detection with automatic alarms
47.3. Access Control: Dual-authentication for all hazardous material areas
48. Port Emergency Response
48.1. Incident Command: Unified control center for all emergencies
48.2. Mutual Aid: Agreements with 3 neighboring ports
48.3. Training: Quarterly cross-agency simulation exercises
49. Vessel Waste Disposal
49.1. Reception Facilities: 24/7 availability for all waste categories
49.2. Sludge Processing: On-site treatment plant with 200m³/day capacity
49.3. Record Keeping: Digital manifests for all waste transfers
50. Port Accessibility
50.1. Channel Depth: Maintained at 15m MLW
50.2. Air Draft: 55m clearance at high tide
50.3. Lock Operations: Priority system for time-sensitive cargoes
51. Port Dredging Operations
51.1. Maintenance Dredging: Conducted quarterly in main navigation channel
51.2. Contaminant Testing: Required before disposal of dredged material
51.3. Equipment: Two 5,000m³ capacity trailing suction hopper dredgers
52. Vessel Anchorage Areas
52.1. Designated Zones: 3 primary holding areas with depth markings
52.2. Holding Capacity: Maximum 12 vessels simultaneously
52.3. Monitoring: Radar tracking of all anchored vessels
53. Port Crane Operations
53.1. Certification: Annual load testing mandatory for all cranes
53.2. Capacity: 8 post-Panamax cranes with 65-ton lift capability
53.3. Maintenance: Predictive maintenance program using IoT sensors
54. Port Rail Connections
54.1. Network: 12km of on-dock tracks with direct mainline access
54.2. Capacity: 25 trains daily (expandable to 40 during peak)
54.3. Gauge: Standard 1,435mm compatible with national network
55. Port Telecommunications
55.1. Coverage: 5G network available throughout port area
55.2. Backup Systems: Redundant fiber optic and microwave links
55.3. VHF Channels: Port operations on Ch 16/12/14 (English/Japanese)
