Kobe

1. Kobe Ko boarding position 1 Pilot boards34°36.9′N 135°10.1′E
2. Kobe Ko boarding position 2 Pilot boards34°35.4′N 135°10.1′E
3. Kobe Ko boarding position 3 Pilot boards34°34.7′N 135°15.2′E

Size limits

Container Terminal: Max draught 14.0m.

STS Anchorage: Draught 14.5m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 1.8m. Tidal currents in the harbour are moderate. Rate is less than 1kt.

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

Approach

The port is approached through Osaka Wan and entered through either Kobe-Nishi Passage, Kobe-Chuo Passage or East Passage.

Draught limitation in the channels: Kobe-Nishi Passage, 10.0m; Kobe-Chuo Passage, 14.0m.

Port limits

The port limits enclose the whole port area from position on the coast close W of Kobe Ku Outer Suma Tower Light (34°38.1'N 135°06.3'E) to the W limits of Amagasaki-Nishinomiya-Ashiya Ku, 11nm E.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic signals are displayed from Kobe Signal Station, situated near the root of No 6 Breakwater and No 2 Kobe Signal Station, situated SE of Port Island.

Traffic through Kobe-Chuo Passage is controlled by signals consisting of fixed or flashing lights in the shape of a letter, exhibited from the signal station.

Tugs

The use of tugs is compulsory even for vessels equipped with a bow thruster.

Mooring

Mooring methods: In principal, vessel moored head out and the bridgefront at assigned position (N flag). Always follow instructions given by the berth master or harbour staff.

Carefully locate anchor where it will not interfere with entry/departure of other vessels.

Care should be taken not to damage port facilities. Any damage shall be compensated.

Obligations of masters of moored vessels: In the event of adverse conditions forecasted (e.g. storm, natural disaster, etc.) prepare for unberthing your vessel. Unberthing order must be obeyed immediately.

Charts and publications

BA 2265, 3614. Japanese 1103, 101A, 101B. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free Pratique: Usually vessels anchor at Wada-misaki, where the authorities board and grant free pratique.

Notices and regulations

Restriction on shifting: A vessel other than miscellaneous vessels (means launches, lighters, small boats and any craft propelled wholly or primarily by oar) shall not, without the permission of the captain of the port, shift from the anchorage designated.

Restriction on entrance at night: A vessel of 500GT or more shall not, except in the case where the permission has been obtained or where the vessel intends to avert marine accident or where there exist unavoidable circumstances, enter the port during the period between sunset and sunrise.

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

The shipyard and various repair shops are capable of carrying out all kinds of ship fitting out and repair work.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore and barge.

Bunkering: By barge or alongside. Fuel oil is supplied through shore line at a pumping rate of 450tph. Diesel oil is also supplied through shore line at a pumping rate of 180tph.

Note: Bunkering operations are not encouraged during the night.

Medical

Full medical facilities are available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kobe, 3km S of Port Island.

Nearest railway: Kobe.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Kobe is located on the northern coastline of Osaka Bay, Honshu Island, bordering the E end of the Seto Inland Sea.

The port

As of 1st December 2007, Osaka, Sakai, Amagasaki-Nishinomiya-Ashiya and Kobe (see separate entries), have all been unified to form Hanshin Port.

The main part of the harbour extends between Wada-misaki Point in the W and a delta of the Ikuta-gawa River in the E, like the shape of a fan. The harbour comprises 2 parts, Shinko in the E and Hyogo in the W divided by a delta of the former Minato-gawa River.

The mountains of Takatori, Tekkai and Hachibuse rise to the W of the port and Rokko Mountains to the North. The Rokko Mountains which run from W to E behind the city, protect the harbour from the effects of the strong NW'ly winds which blow through Oct to Apr or May. Wada-misaki Point shields the harbour from the western high waves.

Thus Kobe only needs breakwaters in 2 directions, E and S, to protect the port from high seas. The harbour is suitable for the berthing of large vessels and the sea bottom is ideal for vessels to anchor in and for buoys to hold.

Traffic

Approx 94,000,000t of cargo, 2,900,000TEU and 31,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kobe?

The pilot boards at Kobe Ko boarding position 1, 34°36.9′N 135°10.1′E. Kobe has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Kobe in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Kobe?

The deepest berth listed is at Kobe Transhipment Area: 14.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kobe?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kobe in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kobe?

Port State Control at Kobe: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kobe?

The UN/LOCODE of Kobe is JPUKB.

What crews who called at Kobe 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.

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