PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Abashiri
Pilot
updated Jan 2012Pilotage is not compulsory, but if required, pilots are available from Kushiro Ko with advance notice. Port entry is permissible at all times, but pilots are only available during daylight hours.
Key data
updated Mar 2023Size limits
LOA 199.98m, beam 32.26m, 63,396DWT.
Water density
None.
Load line zone
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Tides
Max 2.55m; min 0.53m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wharf 4 | — | 200 m | 2 |
| Wharf 1 | — | 75 m | 2 |
| Wharf 2 | — | 117 m | 2 |
| Wharf 3 | — | 77 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2018Approach
Approach and entry: Abashiri is approached from the E, and entered between the heads of the breakwaters which protect the port.
Minato-machi fairway: Depth 7.5m, width 165m.
Shinko fairway: Depth 12.0m, width 250m, max draught permitted 10.5m.
Port limits
The port limits are centred on Kakoutottei Lighthouse, 44°01.17'N 144°17.04'E, with a radius of 2,100m.
Anchorages
Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage is centred on 34°01.8'N 144°17.9'E, with a radius of 300m.
Anchorage may be obtained in a depth of 15.0m, sand, with North Breakwater Light bearing 265°, distant 0.37nm, or in similar depths with the same light bearing 230°, distant 0.35nm, but in the latter position swell rebounding off N breakwater may cause the vessel to ride uneasily.
There is also an anchorage, in depths of approx 8.0m, with the summit of Boshi Iwa bearing 129° x 0.25nm or, 154° x 0.47nm, taking care to avoid fish traps which extend 0.6nm N from the middle of West breakwater from Jul to Nov.
Restrictions
Port entry is permissible at all times, but pilots are only available during daylight hours.
Bridge: Abashiri Kawa is spanned by a bridge approx 0.6nm from the mouth of the river. Depths in the river are liable to change due to silting.
Tugs
Tugs are available, 1 x 860hp and 1 x 690hp.
Charts and publications
BA 1802; Japan 29, 42, 1039. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2012ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA should be sent on departure from last port 10, 4, 2, and 1 day prior to arrival.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique
Free Pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage. A circle with a radius of 300m centred on 44°01.62'N 144°18.13'E.
Customs and immigration
Customs formalities will be carried out by:
Kushiro Customs Office, Abashiri Branch, 5-8 Minatomachi Abashiri City, Tel: +81 152 43 5811.
Immigration authorities will attend from Kushiro, Tel: +81 154 222430.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Position: Section Chief.
Address: 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 5253 8070.
Fax: +81 3 5253 8134.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Minor repairs can be undertaken with sufficient advance notice.
Dry docks
None available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from berths.
Bunkering: Domestic diesel oil is available. Bonded oil will be brought from Hakodate or Muroran with sufficient advance notice.
Medical
Abashiri Chuo Hospital, Tel: +81 152 44 8611.
Crew change
Crew change is not possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Memanbetsu Airport.
Airport facilities: Flights available to Sapporo (Chitose), 4 flights a day to Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami).
Nearest railway: JR Abashiri station.
Working hours
Stevedore's working hours are usually 0800-1700hrs.
About Abashiri
updated Sep 2018Where it is
Abashiri is situated at the mouth of Abashiri Kawa, on the W side of Abashiri Wan.
The port
Abashiri is a port of entry, and the largest port on the N coast of Hokkaido. It is a base for the Sea of Okhotsk fishing fleet.
The port handles basically grain, cement, limestone.
Traffic
Approx 1,000,000t of cargo and 17,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Abashiri
What are the pilot arrangements at Abashiri?
Pilotage is not compulsory, but if required, pilots are available from Kushiro Ko with advance notice.
What time zone is Abashiri in?
Local time at Abashiri is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the water density at Abashiri?
None.
Which load line zone is Abashiri in?
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Who carries out Port State Control at Abashiri?
Port State Control at Abashiri: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Abashiri?
The UN/LOCODE of Abashiri is JPABA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Abashiri say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.