PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Hitachi
Pilot
- Hitachi Ko pilot boarding place Pilot boards36°28.2′N 140°39.2′E
Key data
updated Sep 2024Size limits
Max LOA 300.03m, beam 52.00m, draught 11.60m and 95,400DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Max +1.20m; min -0.35m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Gas LNG Terminal | 11.60 m | 300 m | 2 |
| Wharf No 4 | 11.40 m | 177 m | 3 |
| Wharf No 5 | 9.50 m | 200 m | 4 |
| Wharf No 3 | 9.40 m | 232 m | 1 |
| Wharf No 2 | 8.20 m | 100 m | 1 |
| Wharf No 1 | 8.20 m | 140 m | 4 |
| Tug Terminal | 4.00 m | 31 m | 2 |
| Sumitomo Electric Industries (Minato) | — | 148 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 Sep 2024Approach
Draught limitation in the channel is 8.5m.
Approach: Hitachi is entered from S between the head of S Breakwater and the S head of E Breakwater. A 10m curve extends within the harbour entrance with a width of 0.13 mile between the 10m line at the entrance between the breakwaters. Depths alongside the wharves range from 3.5 to 12m.
A lightbuoy (Fl G 3s) is moored 0.125nm WSW of the S head of E Breakwater. Within the harbour buoys, from which red lights are exhibited, mark the edges of shoal water.
Anchorages
Good anchorage can be found outside the harbour. Anchorage is prohibited in the harbour within 0.1nm of the E breakwater.
Restrictions
Caution: Located approx 0.4nm E of the N extremity of the E breakwater is Onne Iso, which dries 1.6m. A fishing harbour is located 1.3nm S of the port and at the head of the N breakwater a light is shown. Beacons lead between the heads of the breakwaters into the harbour and in line bearing 330°.
Fishing nets may be encountered from approx 36°34.6'N., 140°39.7'E extending 5nm to the E.
Tugs
There are 1 x 1,550hp, 1 x 1,500hp and 1 x 166hp tugs available
Charts and publications
JP1097. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage in position 36°28.65'N., 140°38.7'E.
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 Sep 2024Repairs
Minor repairs can be undertaken.
Dry docks
A floating drydock may be present within the port limits, located close to Wharf No 1.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from wharves numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 A-D. Water facilities are managed by Ibaraki Prefecture.
Bunkers: Most grades are available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hitachikoh Hospital (0.35km) and Kujichinone Hospital (1.1km).
Crew change
Available, arranged by Tokyo or Narita agents.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ibaraki Airport (38.75km) and Narita International Airport (83km).
Nearest highway: The port has access to Japan National Route 6. The route travels 353.6km from Tokyo in the S to Sendai in the N.
Nearest railway: JNR Ohmika (Jyoban line).
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Hitachi.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1630hrs.
Stevedore's working hours: Normally 0800-1630hrs except Sundays and holidays.
About Hitachi
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Hitachi, part of the Ibaraki Port Office, is situated 24km NE of Mito City, at the southern end of Hitachi City, on the eastern coast of Japan.
The port
The port is considered a principal port and is situated close N to the new mouth of Kuji Kawa. The port is one of three, including Oarai and Hitachinaka, that are operated by Ibaraki Prefecture and make up the Port of Ibaraki.
Hitachi, used as a maritime gateway for the Northern Kanto area, is able to accommodate and range of vessels and cargoes including; LNG, PCC, Ro-Ro, tankers, dry and breakbulk. The port was used in 2023 as a demonstration for the worlds first fully automated vessel. The vessel, developed by Kawasaki, travelled through a route of 1,600km between Hitachi and Kushiro.
Traffic
Approx 7,600,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Hitachi
Where does the pilot board at Hitachi?
The pilot boards at Hitachi Ko pilot boarding place, 36°28.2′N 140°39.2′E.
What time zone is Hitachi in?
Local time at Hitachi is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Hitachi?
The deepest berth listed is at Tokyo Gas LNG Terminal: 11.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Hitachi?
1025.
Which load line zone is Hitachi in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Hitachi?
Port State Control at Hitachi: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Hitachi?
The UN/LOCODE of Hitachi is JPHTC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Hitachi 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.