Kushiro

1. 釧路水先区 西港区 Pilot boards42°58.0′N 144°17.0′E

Size limits

LOA 285.2m, beam 32.26m, draught 12.0m and 85,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range, max 2.13m; min -0.65m.

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

Approach

Draught limitations in the channels are: E area: 9.3m; W area: 12.0m.

The fairway, in which anchoring is prohibited, extends from 0.5nm outside the harbour entrance, between S and N Breakwaters, to 0.15nm within the entrance; the least depth near the centre of the fairway is 9.7m.

An area of diminishing width, in which anchoring is also prohibited, extends from the E end of the fairway to the first bridge over Kyu Kushiro Kawa.

There are depths of 5.5m or more to within 0.1nm of the above mentioned bridge.

The entrance channel, on the N side of South Breakwater, has been dredged to depths of 10.0-11.0m; the N side of this channel is marked by several lightbuoys, the outer of which is fitted with a radar reflector.

Port limits

The harbour limit extends W from Shirito Hana for 3.25nm, then N to the shore.

Anchorages

Vessels anchor in the harbour where there is room for one ship of 10,000GT, two of 8,000GT, four of 5,000GT and two of 3,000GT.

Outer anchorage: A quarantine anchorage is situated 1.75nm NW of Shirito Hana.

The outer harbour, between the harbour limit and the breakwaters enclosing the two harbours, is a designated anchorage for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, and may be used by other vessels as a temporary anchorage during fog.

Inner anchorage: Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes anchor in No 3 Area, at the S end of the harbour.

A recommended anchorage berth in No 2 Area is with N Breakwater light bearing 230° distance 600m, in a depth of 10.0m, mud.

Vessels of less than 350t only anchor in No 1 Area.

Restrictions

Entry or sailing after sunset: No restrictions except for vessels requiring pilot services.

Entry: Sunrise to sunset.

Sailing: Not after 2100hrs.

Prohibited area: A prohibited area is situated close E of North Breakwater within 0.2nm of its end.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

JP1032, JP31, BA1800, 1803. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See Country information.

Communications

VHF: Call "Kushiro-Ho-An" on Ch 16, 12.

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free pratique: Vessels usually anchor at the quarantine anchorage where the authorities board and grant free pratique.

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

Minor repairs can be undertaken at drydock yard.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore and barge (shore 20-50tph; barge 1 x 60tph).

Bunkering: Domestic oil is available; bonded oil can be brought from Hakodate or Muroran with sufficient advance notice.

Stores: Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Narita, Tokyo.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Stevedore's working hours: Daytime 0800-1630hrs. Overtime 1630-2100hrs. Sun and holidays: Available subject to negotiations except 1st and 3rd Sun.

Log gangs: Available.

Where it is

Kushiro is located midway along the eastern coastline of the island of Hokkaido.

The port

Kushiro is the largest commercial port on the E coast of Hakkaido. The Kushiro River divides the port into East and West ports. East Port handles passenger/cruise facilities, coal and general cargo, and is home to the fisheries. West Port is the deep water port handling grain, woodchips, milk and other livestock products, paper and pulp, petroleum and heavy oil. Coal loaders, grain loaders and woodchip distributors are available in addition to cranage.

The port is enclosed by two sets of breakwaters, protecting each harbour. Depth inside the harbours varies between 8.7m and 14.3m; the bottom is sandy except for a rocky area in the SE.

Traffic

Approx 14,000,000t of cargo , 17,000TEU and 7,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Kushiro?

The pilot boards at 釧路水先区 西港区, 42°58.0′N 144°17.0′E.

What time zone is Kushiro in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Kushiro?

The deepest berth listed is at West Area T2: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kushiro?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kushiro in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kushiro?

Port State Control at Kushiro: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kushiro?

The UN/LOCODE of Kushiro is JPKUH.

What crews who called at Kushiro 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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