PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Higashi-Harima
Pilot
updated Dec 2012Compulsory for vessels over 10,000GT and provided by Seto Naikai Pilots.
Call: Baypilot Kobe
VHF frequency: Ch 16, 13 (intership), 68
Telephone: +81(0)78 3212200
Fax: +81(0)78 3324301
Email: [email protected].
Osaka Wan Pilots: Available between sunrise and sunset for entrance from the S and E through Kii Suido. Request for pilots should be sent 12 hr in advance.
Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots replaces Osaka Wan Pilots for vessels proceeding westward from Kobe. Pilot should be requested at least 24 hours in advance.
Call: Inland Sea Pilot Kobe
VHF frequency: Ch 16,68
Telephone: +81(0)78 3917191
Fax: +81(0)78 3917180.
Key data
updated May 2023Size limits
LOA 330m, beam 55m, draught 16.5m, 215,790DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range max 1.3m; min 0.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOBELCO (Kobe Steel Kakogawa Works) | 16.50 m | 330 m | 16 |
| Harima Public Ganpeki | 10.80 m | 245 m | 5 |
| Futami Area | — | — | 4 |
| Takasago Thermal Power Plant | — | 115 m | 3 |
| Taki Chemical | — | — | 5 |
| Kaneka Corporation (formerly Kenebuchi) Takasago | 6.20 m | 100 m | 4 |
| Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd Harima Factory | — | 76 m | 1 |
| Takasago | — | 76 m | 3 |
| Asahi Glass Kansai factory (Takasago/Iho) | — | 77 m | 5 |
| KOBELCO (Kobe Steel Harima Final Assembly Plant) | — | 78 m | 2 |
| Nakatani Kenzai Terminal | — | 68 m | 1 |
| Kobe Steel Terminal | — | 76 m | 2 |
| Mitsubish Heavy Industries Takasago Machinery Works inner wharf | — | 77 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2023Approach
Direct access from the N side of Harima Hada, entry to Befu Ko, the main basin, is through Befu Passage. Min depth in the Befu Passage is 17.0m.
Draught limitation in the channel: 16.4m for East Wharf, 11.0m for West Wharf.
The port is entered between two breakwaters; a light is exhibited at the head of each breakwater. The fairway is marked by Buoys No 1 and No 2 (lateral), located 1.75nm SW of the entrance. No 2 Lightbuoy is fitted with a radar reflector.
West Quay: The approach to the W quay is marked by a pair of lightbuoys and a Directional Light is exhibited from a white tower at the head of the harbour, the white sector bearing 0.25° lead through the harbour entrance.
Iho has direct access from the vicinity of Harima Nada Kita Koro No 9 Light buoy (34°39.76'N 134°42.50'E). There are fish havens and dangerous wreck S of Kami Shima.
Anchorages
Large vessels can obtain anchorage off Befu Ko in the area to the W of, and clear of, the fairway. Small vessels may anchor near the port limits, off the area midway between Takasago and Iho. There is an anchorage for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes off Takasago, SW of the mouth of Kako Kawa.
Restrictions
There are no restrictions on entry or departure after sunset, but pilots are only available between sunrise and sunset.
Overhead cable with vertical clearance of 66m spans the Kako Kawa.
Bridge with vertical clearance of 7.4m, spans the channel separating Niijiam from the mainland. Two overhead cables span from the bridge, with a vertical clearance of 27m and 28m.
Small basin ESE of bridge has an overhead cable with vertical clearance of 19m.
Only vessels that are exempt are able to approach within 30m of any tanker carrying inflammable cargo.
Two overhead power cables with vertical clearance of 57m and 58m respectively span Arai Kawa at and close within its mouth.
Tugs
Tugs are available from Shikama or Kakogawa, when required.
Charts and publications
JP106, JP150A, JP107. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
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 at Kobe.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore.
Bunkers: Both domestic and bonded oil are available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Osaka (Itami), 60km and Kansai Airport.
Airport facilities: Full passenger and air freight facilities available.
Working hours
Steel wharves work throughout 24 hours.
About Higashi-Harima
updated May 2023Where it is
Higashi-Harima is situated on the Inland Sea coast of Honshu between Kobe and Himeji.
The port
The port comprises the areas of Iho, Takasago, Kakogawa, Harima and Futami Ko. The main commodities handled include LPG, steel, metal machinery industry products, iron ore and coal.
Traffic
Approx 35,000,000t of cargo and 14,000vessels handled annually.
Questions about Higashi-Harima
What are the pilot arrangements at Higashi-Harima?
Compulsory for vessels over 10,000GT and provided by Seto Naikai Pilots.
What time zone is Higashi-Harima in?
Local time at Higashi-Harima is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Higashi-Harima?
The deepest berth listed is at KOBELCO (Kobe Steel Kakogawa Works): 16.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Higashi-Harima?
1025.
Which load line zone is Higashi-Harima in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Higashi-Harima?
Port State Control at Higashi-Harima: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Higashi-Harima?
The UN/LOCODE of Higashi-Harima is JPHHR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Higashi-Harima 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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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.