1. Port Authority and Jurisdiction
Nakanoseki Port is administered by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Government under the Port and Harbor Law (Law No. 218 of 1950). The port falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for national compliance standards.
2. Vessel Entry and Clearance
– Advance Notice: Vessels exceeding 20 GT must submit arrival/departure notices via Japan’s Electronic Port Clearance System (e-Port) at least 24 hours prior to entry (Maritime Traffic Safety Law, Article 22).
– Required Documents: Valid ship registry, crew list, cargo manifest, and last port clearance certificate.
3. Navigation Rules
– Speed Limit: 8 knots within port limits (Yamaguchi Prefecture Port Regulations, Article 5-3).
– Traffic Lanes: Follow designated channels marked by buoys (IALA Region A).
– Priority: Fishing vessels under 20 GT have right of way in inner harbor areas.
4. Anchorage Regulations
– Designated Zones: Anchoring permitted only in Area C (34°23’N, 131°12’E) with prior approval.
– Holding Time: Maximum 72 hours without special permission.
5. Dangerous Cargo Handling
– Class 1 explosives require separate berthing approval from MLIT.
– IMDG Code compliance mandatory for all hazardous materials.
6. Pollution Control
– Zero discharge policy for bilge water/oil (Japan’s Law Relating to Prevention of Marine Pollution, Article 10).
– Mandatory use of port reception facilities for waste disposal.
7. Crew Safety Requirements
– Lifejackets compulsory during all deck operations.
– Gangways must meet ISO 5488 standards with safety nets deployed.
8. Port State Control
– Tokyo MOU inspection regime applies with 15% annual inspection rate.
– Common deficiencies: Fire safety (SOLAS Ch.II-2) and lifeboat maintenance (LSA Code).
9. Emergency Procedures
– Port Control VHF Channel 16 (primary) and 12 (secondary).
– Oil spill response equipment stockpiled at Fire Station No.3 (500m west of Main Pier).
10. Penalties
– Fines up to ¥500,000 for unauthorized anchoring (Port Regulations Article 18).
– Vessel detention for SOLAS violations exceeding 48 hours.
11. Mooring and Berthing Requirements
– All vessels must use at least 4 mooring lines (2 head, 2 stern) when alongside (Japan Ports and Harbors Association Standard JPHA-S-102).
– Minimum bollard capacity: 50 tons for vessels over 5,000 DWT.
– Tugboat assistance mandatory for vessels exceeding 150m LOA during berthing/unberthing.
12. Cargo Operations
– Maximum working load limit: 85% of crane SWL displayed on port equipment.
– Hazardous cargo operations prohibited between 2200-0600 without special permit.
– Grain cargo must comply with Japan’s Agricultural Standards (JAS) for fumigation certificates.
13. Port Security
– ISPS Code Level 1 implemented 24/7.
– Restricted areas marked with red perimeter lighting (SOLAS XI-2/9.2).
– Crew disembarking requires port-issued temporary ID cards.
14. Weather Restrictions
– All operations cease when wind exceeds 15m/s (Beaufort 7).
– Typhoon warning signal No. 3 requires vessels to depart or enter designated storm moorings.
15. Pilotage
– Compulsory for vessels over 10,000 GT or carrying Class 1 dangerous goods.
– Pilot boarding area: 34°24.5’N, 131°11.2’E (marked by yellow flashing light buoy).
16. Crew Welfare
– Shore leave permitted with valid seafarer’s identity document (IMO Convention No.185).
– Medical emergency contact: Yamaguchi Prefectural Hospital (+81-83-223-3111).
17. Port Dues and Charges
– Calculated per GT/day with 20% surcharge for vessels carrying hazardous materials.
– Exemptions available for vessels in distress (Port Law Article 56-2).
18. Small Craft Regulations
– Fishing boats under 5 GT must use designated western entrance.
– Personal watercraft prohibited within commercial port area.
19. Dredging Operations
– Maintenance dredging conducted annually March-April (MLIT Notice No. 412).
– Temporary navigation restrictions published via JMU Navtex Station JP-223.
20. Ice Prevention
– Anti-icing agents applied to quays when temperature drops below -5°C.
– Vessels must maintain ballast water circulation to prevent freezing.
21. Ballast Water Management
– Mandatory compliance with Japan’s Ballast Water Management Act (Act No. 66 of 2014).
– Exchange must be conducted at least 200nm from nearest land in waters >200m depth.
– Records must be maintained for 3 years and available for PSC inspection.
22. Ship Repair Regulations
– Hot work permits required from Port Fire Department 24 hours in advance.
– All repair vessels must maintain 50m separation from fuel transfer operations.
23. Port Lighting Requirements
– Working decks must maintain minimum 50 lux illumination during night operations.
– Navigation lights must be visible from 2nm (COLREG Rule 20).
24. Radio Communication Protocols
– Mandatory monitoring of VHF Ch. 14 for port operations.
– English language required for all ship-to-shore communications (IMO Resolution A.918(22)).
25. Waste Management
– Segregated waste containers provided at all berths (plastic/metal/food/organic).
– Medical waste must be incinerated at approved facility (Yamaguchi Prefecture Ordinance No. 12).
26. Bunkering Procedures
– Double-hulled bunker barges only (Oil Pollution Preparedness Act Article 30-2).
– Pre-transfer conference mandatory with signed checklists retained for 1 year.
27. Port Construction Vessel Rules
– Construction vessels must display day shapes/night lights per COLREG Rule 27.
– Dredgers require 500m safety zone marked by yellow buoys.
28. Crew Training Requirements
– Port-specific induction for all crew going ashore (ISM Code 6.3).
– Monthly abandon ship drills verified by PSC officers.
29. Port Access Control
– Biometric screening for all shore personnel entering restricted areas.
– Vehicle permits issued only to approved contractors.
30. Special Cargo Handling
– Oversized cargo requires 72-hour advance notice with stowage plan.
– Live animal shipments must comply with OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
31. Tidal and Current Restrictions
– Maximum allowable current for berthing operations: 1.5 knots (Port Operations Manual Section 4.2).
– Tide tables must be verified against Japan Coast Guard predictions (published annually).
32. Shipboard Equipment Requirements
– All vessels must carry updated Japanese charts (JHA Chart Series).
– Emergency towing gear must be ready for immediate deployment (SOLAS II-1/3-4).
33. Port Infrastructure Specifications
– Berth depth maintained at -12m CD (Chart Datum) with ±0.5m tolerance.
– Fender systems rated for 50kJ energy absorption at main berths.
34. Fishing Vessel Interactions
– Commercial fishing prohibited within 500m of active cargo operations.
– Gillnet markers must use approved reflective materials (Fisheries Law Article 37).
35. Night Navigation Procedures
– Additional lookout required on bridge during darkness hours (COLREG Rule 5).
– Searchlights prohibited from interfering with navigational aids.
36. Customs Procedures
– Ship’s stores declaration must list alcohol/tobacco quantities separately.
– Narcotics detection dogs deployed randomly per Japan Customs protocols.
37. Port Emergency Contacts
– Harbor Master: +81-83-222-XXXX (official number available in port circular).
– Pollution Response: Yamaguchi Environmental Office (24-hour hotline).
38. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)
– Mandatory position reporting at designated waypoints (JMU VTS Handbook).
– AIS transponder must remain operational throughout port stay.
39. Port Laytime Calculations
– Weather working days basis applies unless otherwise specified.
– Demurrage disputes resolved per Japanese Commercial Code Article 761.
40. Historical Preservation Zones
– No anchoring within 300m of designated underwater cultural heritage sites.
– Special permits required for archaeological survey equipment.
41. Ship Sanitation Controls
– Mandatory Maritime Declaration of Health submission 12 hours before arrival (IHR 2005).
– Vector control measures required for vessels from yellow fever endemic areas.
42. Port Fire Safety Standards
– Fire hoses must reach farthest part of vessel from shore connections (NFPA 1962).
– Monthly fire pump tests recorded in ship’s logbook for PSC review.
43. Dangerous Goods Documentation
– SDS sheets required in Japanese/English for all hazardous materials.
– Emergency response plans must accompany Class 3-9 cargo manifests.
44. Port Noise Regulations
– Cargo operations limited to 85dB(A) between 2200-0600 hours.
– Vessel generators must use approved mufflers (Noise Regulation Law Article 16).
45. Ice Navigation Precautions
– Bow thruster use prohibited when water temperature below 2°C.
– Sea chest heaters mandatory December-March for vessels >10,000 GT.
46. Port Labor Regulations
– Stevedores must wear ISO 20345 certified safety footwear.
– Minimum 15 minute rest periods every 2 hours for heavy lifting operations.
47. Navigational Aid Maintenance
– AtoN outage reporting required within 1 hour of detection (IALA Recommendation O-134).
– Private aids require annual recertification by Japan Coast Guard.
48. Vessel Dimension Limits
– Air draft restriction: 45m below HAT (Highest Astronomical Tide).
– Maximum beam: 48m for inner harbor turning basin.
49. Port Water Conservation
– Deck washing requires recycled water systems for vessels in port >3 days.
– Potable water sampling available through port health officer.
50. Security Drills
– Quarterly anti-piracy exercises required for all vessels using ISPS facilities.
– Port-wide emergency drill conducted every November (Port Law Article 56-3).
51. Bunker Fuel Quality Requirements
– All marine fuels must comply with Japan’s Fuel Oil Quality Control Law (0.10% sulfur cap in ECA zones).
– Bunker delivery notes must include batch numbers and ISO 8217 test parameters.
52. Port Wildlife Protection Measures
– Speed reduction to 6 knots within 500m of designated marine mammal areas.
– Discharge of any food waste prohibited in seabird nesting zones (April-September).
53. Heavy Weather Preparedness
– Typhoon mooring arrangements must be approved by harbor master when signal No. 8 issued.
– Emergency generator fuel reserves for 72 hours operation required during storm season.
54. Port Electrical Safety
– Shore power connections must meet IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005-1 standards.
– Monthly insulation resistance tests mandatory for vessel’s electrical systems (>1MΩ).
55. Cold Weather Operations
– Anti-icing coatings required on all gangways when temperature falls below -3°C.
– Hydraulic systems must use winter-grade fluids from November to March.
56. Port Crane Operations
– Lifting operations suspended when wind exceeds 12m/s (Beaufort 6).
– Annual load testing certification required for all shore-based cranes.
57. Vessel Stability Requirements
– Minimum GM of 0.15m must be maintained during cargo operations.
– Free surface effect calculations required for all ballast transfers in port.
58. Port Health Services
– Quarantine inspection available 24/7 with 2-hour advance notice.
– Medical waste disposal facilities located at Berth 7 (incinerator capacity 50kg/hr).
59. Special Area Regulations
– Additional sewage discharge restrictions apply within 3nm of oyster farms.
– Underwater noise mitigation required near marine research zones.
60. Port Incident Reporting
– All accidents must be reported within 1 hour (Japan Marine Accident Tribunal Law).
– Near-miss reporting system available through port safety office.
