PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Himeji
Pilot
updated Oct 2014Seto Nakai (Inland Sea) pilots are compulsory for vessels over 10,000GT and are available at Wadi-Misaki, off Kobe.
Harbour pilot are not compulsory. They board at inner anchorage from sunrise to one hour before sunset.
Key data
updated Jun 2024Size limits
LOA 315.2m, beam 50m, draught 15.5m, 210,865DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.8m, Spring 1.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idemitsu Oil Refinery Terminal | 19.20 m | 346 m | 1 |
| Hirohata Wharf | 15.50 m | 300 m | 16 |
| Osaka Gas LNG Terminal | — | 315 m | 2 |
| Nakashima Terminal | 10.10 m | 200 m | 6 |
| Shikama Wharf | 10.10 m | 285 m | 9 |
| Hamada Terminal | 9.00 m | 100 m | 2 |
| Godo Steel Terminal | 8.50 m | 105 m | 1 |
| Senbagawa Quay | — | 104 m | 12 |
| Kibi Liquid Terminal | — | 69 m | 1 |
| Tozai Oil Terminal Himeji | — | 80 m | 1 |
| Sanyo Special Steel Terminal | 7.00 m | 77 m | 1 |
| Shinnihon Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Itou Metal Terminal | — | 81 m | 2 |
| Daicel Aboshi Plant (Himeji Production Sector) | — | 80 m | 5 |
| Daicel Hirohata Plant (Himeji Production Sector) | — | 75 m | 1 |
All 20 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon Shokubai Himeji Terminal | — | 72 m | 4 |
| JFE Bars & Shapes Corporation Himeji | — | 80 m | 2 |
| Himeji Ferry Terminal | — | 68 m | 3 |
| Kibi Steel Terminal | — | 86 m | 2 |
| Phoenix Himeji Base Terminal | — | 62 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 Jun 2024Approach
East Passage: Depth in the channel is 14.0m, width 300m.
Hirohata Fairway: Draught limitation in the channel is 17.0m. It is entered between No1 Light Beacon (E cardinal) and No 2 Light Beacon (starboard hand), standing 2nm SSW of the head of Hirohata East.
Shikama Fairway: Draught limitation in the channel is 11.3m. The approach channel to the basin is entered between No 1 Lightbuoy and No 2 Lightbuoy and leads between Shikama W Breakwater; a light is exhibited on the S end of each breakwater, both of which are detached.
Aboshi: Draught limitation in the channel is 10.0m.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained as convenient, as close as possible to the port according to draught.
Caution: A submarine oil pipeline is laid from Idemitsu Kosan Sea Berth to the mouth of Ichi Kawa, 3.5nm N.
Restrictions
Vessels are prohibited from entering waters within 50m from LNG carriers at LNG base, 30m from dangerous cargo carriers in the port.
Tugs
Not compulsory. Four tugs, 2 x 3,500hp and 2 x 2,600hp available from Shikama port.
Charts and publications
Japanese Charts W150B, W1113, W134A, Charts JP134B, JP106. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2018Communications
Port Authority: Tel: +81 792 350176 (24 hours).
VHF Ch 16.
Health
Free Pratique: Vessels usually anchor at Wada-Misaki (off Kobe), prior to proceeding to Shikama, where the authorities board and grant free pratique.
When the Master requires radio pratique he should cable the Head of the Quarantine Station via his agent in accordance with Quarantine rules which stipulate that this must be done within 36 hours prior to arrival at the port. Saturday, Sunday and holidays do not count within the 36 hours.
Customs and immigration
Authorities available at Shikama.
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 Nov 2018Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by barge or from Idemitsu Oil at Idemitsu Jetty.
Medical
Himeji Central Hospital, 4.0km, National Hospital Organization Himeji Medical Centre, 9.5km and Himeji Daiichi Hospital, 10.5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kobe Airport located at Kobe, 69.4km (domestics only) and Kansai International Airport located at Osaka, 65.9km.
Nearest railway: Himeji, 5km.
Working hours
Normally 0830-1630hrs at public wharves. Overtime by arrangement. Throughout 24 hours at the Nippon Steel Corporation Piers.
About Himeji
updated May 2024Where it is
Himeji is situated on the Seto Inland Sea coast in Hyogo Prefecture, approx 60km W of Kobe.
The port
The port area extends 18km along the coast and is divided into the Shikama and Higashi/Mega port areas to the E, Hirohata central Industrial port area and the W Industrial port areas of Aboshi and Nishi.
The principal cargoes handled are crude oil, LNG, construction materials, steel, timber, chemicals, ores and coal.
Traffic
Approximate 28,000,000t cargo, 13,000TEU, 25,000 vessels and 800 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Himeji
What are the pilot arrangements at Himeji?
Seto Nakai (Inland Sea) pilots are compulsory for vessels over 10,000GT and are available at Wadi-Misaki, off Kobe.
What time zone is Himeji in?
Local time at Himeji is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Himeji?
The deepest berth listed is at Idemitsu Oil Refinery Terminal: 19.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Himeji?
1025.
Which load line zone is Himeji in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Himeji?
Port State Control at Himeji: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Himeji?
The UN/LOCODE of Himeji is JPHIM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Himeji 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.