Minamata

Size limits

Draught 10.0m, 15,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range max 4.0m; min 2.0m.

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

Approach

Vessels entering or leaving the port should only use the fairway, entering between No 1 Lightbuoy and Minamata Ko Entrance No 2 Lightbuoy, moored approx 0.3nm SW of the S extremity of Koji Shima. The channel has draught limitation of 16.0m.

Reclamation work is being carried within 0.3nm SE of Myojin Saki.

A wave meter lightbuoy (yellow) is moored 0.4nm SW of Koji Shima Light. A submarine cable is laid from the buoy E to the coast.

Port limits

The harbour limit is the area enclosed by an arc of a circle drawn from Myojin Saki as the centre and a radius of approx 1.0nm.

Anchorages

A quarantine anchorage is situated in an area 0.55nm in diameter with centre 1.1nm N of Koji Shima Lighthouse.

Vessels with a draught up to 11.0m can work cargo in an anchorage situated to the E of Koji Shima. It is sheltered except from SW winds. Lightering barges are available.

Prohibited Anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the fairway and in the area between the fairway and the S shore of Koji Shima. Vessels should not stop or anchor in any position which might obscure the leading lights from seaward.

Restrictions

Night berthing is possible, however night time berthing is not possible if the assistance of a pilot is required.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs available. 1 x 300hp and 1 x 2,300hp.

Charts and publications

BA 3408, 2347. Japanese W174, W1240. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See Country information.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16.

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free pratique: Granted in the quarantine anchorage centred on 32°12.5'N 130°20.67'E.

Customs and immigration

The immigration authorities are stationed at Yatsushiro.

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 are not possible.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kagoshima.

Where it is

Minamata is situated on the SW coast of Kyushu in Kumamoto Prefecture, approx 50km S of Yatsushiro.

The port

The port is well protected by land and small islands and provides safe anchorage and alongside berths.

Traffic

Approx 171,000t of cargo and 2,400 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Minamata?

Pilotage is not compulsory but available 0600-2000hrs.

What time zone is Minamata in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Minamata?

The deepest berth listed is at Minamata Terminal: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Minamata?

1025.

Which load line zone is Minamata in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Minamata?

Port State Control at Minamata: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Minamata?

The UN/LOCODE of Minamata is JPMIN.

What crews who called at Minamata 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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