Kure

Size limits

LOA 327m, draught 17.4m, beam 55m, 243,450DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range, max 3.98m; min -0.28m.

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

Approach

Depth in the channel is 17.0m, with draught limitation of 17.4m HW for vessels under 200,000DWT and 16.3m for vessels over 200,000DWT.

Anchorages

Y1, C, D: If a vessel's LOA is less than 200m, depth available is 18.0m.

Y2: For vessel's with LOA less than 150m, depth available is 15.0m, mainly used for loading of steel products.

Hiro Anchorages for loading/discharging:

A) Less than LOA 200m, depth 16.0m, 34°12.0'N 132°37.0'E.

B) Less than LOA 200m, depth 16.0m, 34°13 0'N 132°37.4'E.

Quarantine Anchorage: Lies outside the harbour limit across the entrance to the harbour in position 34°11.57'N 132°36.33'E.

Tugs

There are 16 tugs available from 1,600-3,300hp.

Charts and publications

JP104, 142, 1108, 1109. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).

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

All kinds of ship repairs and maintenance can be undertaken at IHI Kure Yard.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by barge.

Bunkering: Most grades of domestic oil are available; bonded bunkers can be brought by barges from Iwakuni, Tokuyama, Moji or Kobe with three days advance notice.

Stores: Available with 3 days prior notice.

Medical

National Kure Hospital, 1km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hiroshima, 30km.

Nearest railway: Kure, 1km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Kure is situated on Honshu in the Inland Sea.

The port

Kure is a fine natural harbour sheltered by a number of small islands. The port consists of the following regions: Kure, Hiro, Nigata and Yoshiura. It is an industrial port with large shipbuilding yards and steel works.

Main imports are iron ore, timber, wood chips and coke. Main exports are iron, machinery, paper and lumber.

The sub ports of Kinoe Terminal on Osaki-Kami Sima Island and the Osaki Power Station on Naga Shima Island are approx 30km to the E of Kure port.

Traffic

Approx 18,000,000t of cargo, 32,000 vessels and 714,000 passenger handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Kure?

Not compulsory. Inland Sea pilots board 3nm S of Sekisaki Lighthouse, approx 33°13.0'N 131°54.0'E.

What time zone is Kure in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Kure?

The deepest berth listed is at Nisshin Steel Terminal: 17.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kure?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kure in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kure?

Port State Control at Kure: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kure?

The UN/LOCODE of Kure is JPKRE.

What crews who called at Kure 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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