Hakodate

Size limits

LOA 347.08m, beam 43m, draught 13.1m, 84,956DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range, max 1.06m; min -0.03m. In the centre of Hakodate Wan the N going stream reaches a max rate of 0.75kt at about the time of local HW and S going stream reaches a maximum of 0.5kt at approx the time of local LW.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is approached through Tsugaru Kaikyo and entered through Hakodate Wan.

From the sea:

From a position E of Kattoshi Misaki, the track leads NNE and E passing (with position form Wakame Saki):

W of Anama Misaki (0.5nm S), a rocky headland surrounded by reefs.

W of Goten Yama (0.6nm SE) the highest point on Hakodate Hanto, then

W of Wakame Saki, a rounded headland which forms the NE corner of Hakodate Hanto.

E of a red pillar buoy (2.25nm WNW) which lies close N of the N limits.

ESE of the Nihon Sea Berth, a pier which extends 1.1nm from the NW corner of the bay.

S of a conical buoy (2.5nm N) which marks the end of a disused oil pipeline.

N of the head of a detached breakwater, close W of the W breakwater from which a light is exhibited.

The track then leads E to No 1 Fairway between the heads of N detached Breakwater and W Breakwater. Draught limitation in the main channel is 10.0m, maximum draught alongside is 12.0m.

Hakodate inner harbour, lying within the breakwaters, may be entered by either No 1 or No 3 Fairway. Vessels of 500t or over are not permitted to enter at night.

No 2 Fairway, which leads SSE from the inner end of No 1 Fairway, is marked on its W side by No 2 and 4 Lightbuoys. Wakamatsucho Lightbuoy, moored 0.2nm NE of No 6 Lightbuoy, marks the W edge of shoal water.

In No 2 Fairway, general shipping is required to keep clear of ferries.

Ferry Routes: Outbound ferries proceed from the outer end of No 1 Fairway to a position 0.9nm W of Wakame Saki, the NW extremity of Hakodate Hanto, then on a course of 177°.

Inbound ferries pass through a position 2nm E of Kattoshi Misaki and then proceed direct to the entrance of either No 1 or No 3 Fairway.

Caution: Ferries leaving Hakodate Ko by No 1 Fairway frequently pass incoming traffic starboard to starboard.

Port limits

The port limit is determined by a line drawn 4.75nm SSE from the mouth of Ono Kawa then ENE to a point on the shore in Hakodate Hanto.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage is situated in No 6 Area; the holding is reported to be good.

Vessels with dangerous cargoes may anchor in No 4, 5, and 6 Areas only.

The whole of Hakodate Wan is suitable for anchorage in appropriate depths; the bottom is mostly mud and sand, good holding ground. Care is required to avoid the fishing nets and the fish farm installations, and to anchor clear of the tracks used by ferries.

When typhoons are forecast, vessels anchored in the bay should seek early shelter in Mutsu Wan as a wind speed of over 80kts has been recorded at Hakodate during a typhoon.

A good berth for temporary anchorage is in a depth of 18.0m sand, 1.4nm SSE of the mouth of Ari Kawa at 41°49.0'N 140°39.0'E.

Anchorage in inner harbour: Vessels of 500t and over wishing to anchor in the inner harbour must obtain a berth allocation from the harbour master. Signals indicating anchor berths are displayed at the signal station on Central Wharf, 1nm ESE of the root of West Breakwater. A vessel proceeding to an allocated anchor berth or mooring buoy is required to indicate its intention in accordance with the special regulations for specified ports.

In No 3 Area E of No 2 Fairway the bottom is sand, poor holding ground.

Caution: A lightbuoy (special, conical, 41°48.3'N 140°40.7') marks the end of a submarine pipeline, connected to the shore approx 1nm NE which once carried oil from the Kosumosekiyu Sea Berth.

Restrictions

A submarine pipeline connected to the shore about 1mile NE, carried oil from the Kosumosekiyu Sea Berth SPM. The end of the pipeline is marked by a light buoy (special, conical) 41°48.29'N.

Tugs

There are 4 tugs available; 1 x 3,600hp, 3 x 3,200hp.

Mooring

One mooring buoy (No 2) of holding capacity 10,000t is situated in Area 2 and one buoy (No 3) of holding capacity 15,000t is situated in Area 3.

Charts and publications

BA 1800, 2293. JP10, Japanese Charts W6, W9, Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See Country information.

Communications

VHF: Hakodate Coastguard: Ch 16, 12. Call Hakodate Hoan.

Email: [email protected]

Fax: +81-138-26-2656

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free Pratique: Granted at the quarantine anchorage.

Customs and immigration

Formalities will be handled by officials at the port.

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

Repairs

Shipyard and workshops are capable of carrying out all kinds of ship fitting out and repair work.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore and barge.

Bunkering: Most grades of domestic and bonded oil are available, delivered by barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hakodate City Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hakodate, situated 7km E.

Nearest railway: JR Hakodate Railroad Station.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0845-1715hrs, Sat 0845-1200hrs.

Where it is

Hakodate port is located on the southern tip of Hokkaido Island facing the Tsugaru Strait.

The port

The port is a gateway to the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. It is an important centre for commerce and transportation not only for Hokkaido but also northern Honshu. The port is divided into 6 different areas and each area is capable of handling a variety of cargo. In addition, it has extensive ferry and fishing operations.

Traffic

Approx 30,000,000t of cargo, 3,000TEU, 10,000 vessels and 302,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Hakodate?

Not compulsory but recommended.

What time zone is Hakodate in?

Local time at Hakodate is UTC+9. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Hakodate?

The deepest berth listed is at Cosmo Oil Terminal: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Hakodate?

1025.

Which load line zone is Hakodate in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Hakodate?

Port State Control at Hakodate: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Hakodate?

The UN/LOCODE of Hakodate is JPHKD.

What crews who called at Hakodate 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.

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