PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Imari
Pilot
updated Nov 2013- Imari pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°26.5′N 129°42.7′E
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 10,000GT and berthing available daylight hours only. Pilot boards in position 33°26.5'N 129°42.7'E (or further seaward if required) or in the Quarantine Anchorage, 32°20.3'N 129°48.6'E.
Key data
updated Mar 2023Size limits
MAX LOA 230.11m, draught 12.7m, beam 37.2m, 58,811DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Tidal range 2.0m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu LPG Terminal | 12.70 m | 230 m | 3 |
| Kubara Kita | 9.10 m | 170 m | 2 |
| Kubara Minami | 9.10 m | 180 m | 4 |
| Natasu-Kima-Kita Container Terminal | 8.10 m | 146 m | 2 |
| Nanatsushima District | 6.80 m | 93 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 2018Approach
Draught limitation in the channel is 14.0m.
From a position approx 0.5nm WNW of Shiraiwa Hana, within the entrance to Imari, vessels should steer 146° with the summit of Makishima Yama, a conical hill 136m high situated 0.75nm S of Kugi Shima, ahead.
Port limits
The harbour limit is a line joining positions 1nm ESE of Kanai Saki, 0.6nm WSW and 1nm WSW of Shiraiwa Hana.
Anchorages
Quarantine anchorage is situated 0.7nm SSW of Shiraiwa Hana.
Imari affords sheltered anchorage for large vessels in the central area of the harbour, in depths of 10.0-17.0m.
Restrictions
An overhead cable with a vertical clearance of 52m crosses the channel leading into Imari Kawa. A bridge wit a vertical clearance of 20m crosses the same channel 3.5nm SE.
Tugs
There are 3 tugs available. Tugs from Sasebo and Nagasaki can be arranged, if required.
Charts and publications
BA 2391. JP198. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2013ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be sent on departure from last port and then 10, 4, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Pilots, Port & Terminal: Ch 16, 06. Port Office: Tel: +81 955 234151. Harbour Master: Tel: +81 955 283388.
The LPG Terminal is owned by Kyushu LPG Fukushima Terminal Company.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free pratique: Available only for vessels with valid Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates. Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage which is 096° x 1,300m (200m dia circle) from Uranosaki Lighthouse, 33°20.2'N 129°48.7'E.
Notices and regulations
Unauthorised vessels are prohibited from navigating near the W side of the Quarantine Anchorage. Vessels are prohibited from navigating closer than 50m to vessels containing dangerous substances. There is prohibited anchorage in front of Quay No 5 at the Namura Shipyard.
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 2013Repairs
The shipyard is capable of carrying out all kinds of ship fitting out and repair work.
Dry docks
Drydocks: A building drydock 440m x 67m.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore and by barge.
Bunkering: Domestic MDO is available at Imari and bonded oil can be brought from Moji or Nagasaki with sufficient advance notice, when required.
Medical
There is a hospital in the town.
Transport
Nearest airport: Fukuoka, 70km.
Airport facilities: Passenger and airfreight facilities available.
Working hours
Stevedores normally work 0800-1700hrs.
About Imari
updated Mar 2023Where it is
Imari is situated on the NW coast of Kyushu, approx 20km from Sasebo.
The port
Imari is a land locked port protected on three sides. As well as a large shipbuilding yard in the Nanatsushima area, the port also handles containers, logs and LPG.
The Imariwan Ohashi bridge crosses between the E and W sides of the city.
Traffic
Approx 1,500,000t of cargo, 37,000TEU and 4,500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Imari
Where does the pilot board at Imari?
The pilot boards at Imari pilot boarding place, 33°26.5′N 129°42.7′E.
What time zone is Imari in?
Local time at Imari is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Imari?
The deepest berth listed is at Kyushu LPG Terminal: 12.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Imari?
1025.
Which load line zone is Imari in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Imari?
Port State Control at Imari: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Imari?
The UN/LOCODE of Imari is JPIMI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Imari 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.