PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kinuura
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory in Ise Wan (including Mikawa Wan) for vessels exceeding 10,000GT and is available throughout 24 hours. Pilotage is strongly recommended for all foreign vessels passing through at night and for all vessels unfamiliar with the narrows. The pilot boards in the SW approach to Morozaki Suido, 1.5nm SSW of Hazu Misaki (34°41.7'N 136°58.3'E) or 1nm SSE of E Breakwater Head (34°49.1'N 136°56.6'E) within the quarantine anchorage.
Key data
updated Aug 2025Size limits
LOA 249.99m, beam 43m, draught 12.0m, 104,819DWT.
Water density
1010.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range, max 2.39m; min-0.12m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Japan Grain Terminal | 12.00 m | 230 m | 1 |
| Chuden Hekinan Coal Pier | 12.00 m | 250 m | 3 |
| Chuo Wharf East | — | 190 m | 4 |
| Chuo Wharf West | — | 210 m | 6 |
| Itochu Kinuura Marine Terminal | 12.00 m | 230 m | 1 |
| JFE Steel (Area 9) | — | 190 m | 1 |
| JERA Taketoyo Thermal Power Station | — | 250 m | 4 |
| Taketoyo North | — | 200 m | 3 |
| Kamezaiki No.1 | — | 210 m | 3 |
| Hekinan LPG Terminal | 10.90 m | 230 m | 2 |
| JA Fertilizer Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Sanyo Chemical Kinuura Plant | — | 132 m | 1 |
| Takahama Wharf | — | 77 m | 3 |
| Toyota Kinnura Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Chuden Hekinan Misco.Goods. Pier | — | 113 m | 2 |
All 23 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFE Steel (Area 7) | — | 80 m | 1 |
| Nakayama | — | 81 m | 1 |
| Mazda Logistic Terminal | — | 125 m | 1 |
| Nikkinko Sanbashi in No6 Area | — | 83 m | 1 |
| Asai Kinuura Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Shinkawa | — | — | 2 |
| Taketoyo | — | 68 m | 3 |
| Chuo Wharf South | — | 42 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2025Approach
The port is approached from the S through Chita Wan and entered between W and E Breakwaters.
Draught limit in Centre Road channel is 12.0m (S of tunnel) and 10.0m (N of tunnel).
A dredged channel extends 6nm NNE from the outer breakwaters. The entrance to Kinuura, with a dredged depth of 12.0m, lies between the head of West Breakwater and the W end of East Breakwater; a light is exhibited at the head of West Breakwater and on both ends of East Breakwater. The dredged channel is marked by No 1 and 2 Lightbuoys 0.75nm N of the entrance.
A dredged channel leads N from the entrance as far as the S side of Takahama Hakuchi, which lies close S of a bridge spanning the mouth of Sakai Kawa which flows into the head of Kinuura Ko. A turning point in the channel, 1.5nm within the entrance, is marked by No 3 Lightbuoy.
Port limits
The seaward limit of Kinuura harbour is a line closing the N part of Chita Wan at approximately the parallel of 34°48.3'N.
Anchorages
Quarantine anchorage: A quarantine anchorage, in depths from 12.0-15.0m, lies 1nm SSE of the harbour entrance.
Special anchorages:
E1-E8 for vessels under 3,000GT.
W1-W6 for vessels under 10,000GT
A, B, C, D for vessels over 10,000GT.
In winter, Kinuura affords sheltered anchorage according to draught; in summer, the harbour is exposed to strong S and SE winds. The bottom is mud and the holding ground is good.
Restrictions
Kinuura Central Road Tunnel: Entry or sailing after sunset: South of Central Road is permitted; North of Central Road is not permitted.
Restricted area: Entry of an area 30m from any tanker carrying a flammable, dangerous cargo at anchor or berthed alongside is restricted to vessels authorised by the harbour master. Tankers carrying such cargo exhibit a banner marked "Loaded Flammable Dangerous Substance", visible by day and night.
Tugs
There are 4 tugs available; 1 x 3,600hp, 3 x 3,500hp.
Charts and publications
JP1056, JP1051. Admiralty Pilot NP42A, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Communications
VHF: See Ise Wan and Mikawa Wan pilotage and VTS.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage in position 34°48.1'N 136°57.4'E, bearing 155° by 5,000m from Taketoyo Lighthouse.
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.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by barge (1 x 75t) and from shore (Kawatetsu W, Chuo Wharf East No 2 and 3, Chuo Wharf West No 4 & 6 and JFE Wharf).
Bunkering: Domestic and bonded oil are available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
There is a hospital in the town.
Transport
Nearest airport: Nagoya.
Nearest railway: Chita-Handa, Meitetsu Railway, Kowa Line.
Working hours
Normally 0830-1630hrs (weekday).
About Kinuura
updated Aug 2025Where it is
Kinuura is situated in Aichi Prefecture, facing Ise-Bay.
The port
The port is subdivided into 13 areas. Even numbered areas are situated on the E side of the channel and odd numbered areas are situated on the W side of the channel.
The port handles vehicles, steel, cement, timber, coal, bulk minerals, LPG and foodstuffs.
Traffic
Approx 18,000,000t of cargo and 5,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Kinuura
What are the pilot arrangements at Kinuura?
Compulsory in Ise Wan (including Mikawa Wan) for vessels exceeding 10,000GT and is available throughout 24 hours.
What time zone is Kinuura in?
Local time at Kinuura is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Kinuura?
The deepest berth listed is at Central Japan Grain Terminal: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kinuura?
1010.
Which load line zone is Kinuura in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kinuura?
Port State Control at Kinuura: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kinuura?
The UN/LOCODE of Kinuura is JPKNU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kinuura 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.