Kanazawa

1. Kanazawa Ko pilot boarding place Pilot boards36°38.0′N 136°35.0′E

Size limits

LOA 294m, beam 37.5m, draught 13m, 31,143DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Max 0.15m; min -0.35m. Tidal range does not exceed 0.5m.

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

Approach

Min depth in the entrance channel is 10.0m.

Entrance to Kanzawa harbour: The harbour is entered between West Breakwater, which extends 1.5nm NNW and N from the shore, abreast Ono Kawa Light (36°36.8'N 136°36.3'E) and an area of reclaimed land, which extends 0.3nm NW from the original shore line between positions 0.6nm and 1.4nm NNE of Ono Kawa Light. A light is exhibited near the head of the West Breakwater, and on the head of a spur, which projects 100m NE from near its root. A light is exhibited from the W corner of the reclaimed land.

Caution: Shoaling was reported close off this light; The NW extremity of this shoaling is marked by a lightbuoy. It was also reported that depths in the harbour between 36°36.97'N 136°36.65'E and 36°36.75'N 136°37.35'E are between 0.3m and 3.3m less than charted. A similar report also states that depths of 8.0m less than charted exist in the vicinity SE of a line joining 36°37.97'N 136°36.65'E and 36°37.6'N 136°36.1'E.

Directions for entering the commercial harbour: The basin and approach to it, has been dredged to between 9.7m and 10.0m. A lightbuoy is moored on the W side of the fairway 1.0nm S of the light near the head of the West Breakwater.

When entering or leaving the harbour in strong NW winds, it is advisable to keep close to the West Breakwater in order to avoid the swell, which rebounds from the face of the reclaimed land. Caution is advised as other vessels may be anchored in the lee of the breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

No restriction on entry but daylight sailing is highly recommended, as there are insufficient night signals.

Anchorages

Except in winter, open anchorage can be obtained 1.0nm W of the mouth of Sai Kawa in depths of 11.0-16.0m, but NW winds raise a heavy sea. The bottom is mainly fine sand and depths decrease gradually to the shore.

Inner anchorage is located NE'ly, in depths of 10.0m, mud bottom, poor holding ground.

Quarantine anchorage: Is a circle of 500m in radius centred 1.5nm NW of Ono Kawa Light. Depths range from 17.0-26.0m, mud and fine sand. In NW winds, vessels may experience difficulty in anchoring there.

The quarantine anchorage located off Ono West Breakwater can be used as a bad weather refuge anchorage. However, there is a danger of dragging anchor if the weather is rough and it is recommended vessels anchor either in Maizuru Bay or Tsuruga Bay.

Charts and publications

BA 2347, 4509, JP1169. Japanese W1193. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent on departure from the last port and then 10, 4, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16.

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free pratique: Formalities will be carried out at anchor in position 36°37.53'N 136°35.10'E.

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

A small shipyard can handle vessels up to 100t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at 21 places in the port at a rate of 6tph, except from Ohno Pier.

Bunkering: Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Komatsu.

Nearest Road: National Highway route 8 less than 1km: Northern Japan Motorway, 3km.

Working hours

Normally 0830-1700hrs.

Where it is

Kanazawa is situated on the Japan Sea coast of Honshu, close S of Suzu-Misaki Peninsula, approx 75km N of Fukui, in Ishikawa prefecture.

The port

The port of Kanazawa is one of two main ports located in the prefecture of Ishikawa, the other being Nanao.

Main commodities handled include timber and petroleum, silk fabrics, textiles machinery, railway rolling stock and iron ore.

Traffic

Approx 3,075,000t of cargo, 60,000TEU and 25,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kanazawa?

The pilot boards at Kanazawa Ko pilot boarding place, 36°38.0′N 136°35.0′E.

What time zone is Kanazawa in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Kanazawa?

The deepest berth listed is at Sekiyu Terminal: 6.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kanazawa?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kanazawa in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kanazawa?

Port State Control at Kanazawa: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kanazawa?

The UN/LOCODE of Kanazawa is JPKNZ.

What crews who called at Kanazawa 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.

Read and add tips for Kanazawa →