PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Moji
Pilot
updated Oct 2010Harbour pilot boards 0.9nm, bearing 340° from He Saki Light (33°57.56'N 131°01.39'E).
Pilots board vessels bound for Moji entering from W of Kanmon Kaikyo from Shimonoseki pilot boarding area.
Kanmon Kaikyo Pilots should be requested on VHF Ch 16 no later than 2 hours before arrival at the Mutsure Shima or Hesaki Quarantine Anchorage.
Key data
updated Nov 2019Size limits
Max draught 10.8m, LOA 295m, beam 47m, 182,459DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range, max 2.8m; min 0.37m.
Directions: The tidal streams in Moji Ku are strong and very complicated especially during the W going main stream when eddies are formed. Care is needed when berthing at buoys or alongside and the set of the tidal stream should be ascertained from the direction in which ships at anchor are swung.
Vessels anchoring must veer ample cable; a strict anchor watch and a lookout for dragging must be kept.
Vessels intending to secure to a buoy, should unshackle the anchor from the cable prior to entering harbour as the vessel's own cable is used for securing.
When vessels are riding out storms secured to mooring buoys, they are advised to ride to a short bridle rather than to a long one.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tachinoura Container Terminal No 1 | 10.80 m | 270 m | 2 |
| Tachinoura Container Terminal No 2 | — | 183 m | 5 |
| Tanoura Vehicle Distribution Centre (Tanoura West Wharf) | — | 200 m | 8 |
| Tachinoura Wharves | 9.60 m | 230 m | 38 |
| Moji Gaibo Wharf | 9.30 m | 295 m | 13 |
| Tanoura Terminal | 9.10 m | 152 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2019Approach
Draught limitation in the channel is 11.0m (10.0-11.0m at HW).
The main harbour area is approached directly from the central part of Kanmon Passage between Katagamikaigan (33°55.6'N 030°56.5'E) and Kaji-ga-Hana, 2nm NNE.
Port limits
The harbour lies within the limits of Kanmon Ko.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Kanmon Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service provides information for traffic entering and leaving or navigating within the Kanmon Kaikuo area and its approaches.
Anchorages
Anchorage for large vessels, with good holding ground, sand and shell, is afforded off the Moji Ku quays in depths from 9.0-11.0m.
When a vessel is berthed at Moji Ku No 1 and 2 Quays, no vessel is permitted to anchor in the area to the E of No 9 Mooring Buoy. When there are no vessels alongside, temporary anchorage is permitted in the area but only if the vessel is leaving the same day.
Caution: Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes may not use this anchorage.
On the Kyushu side, anchorage is prohibited, for a distance 300m, either side of the Kanmon Railway Tunnel.
Restrictions
Night time entry is prohibited.
Sailing possible at night (in case of ebb tide and current over 5kts) except from Galibo W Nos 7, 8, 9, 10.
Kanmon Bridge dictates a max airdraught of 61m. Vessels with airdraught over 56m must advise harbour master in advance.
Tugs
There are over 10 tugs of 1,200-3,300hp available.
Charts and publications
JP135, 1263, JP1262. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Details should be repeated 6 hours in advance of ETA. Any changes should be notified immediately.
Vessels should establish continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16 when entering the range of the port, when they should confirm their ETA.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates issued.
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 Oct 2010Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore and by barge.
Bunkering: Available by barge.
Stores: Available.
Medical
There is a hospital and medical clinic in Moji.
Transport
Nearest airport: Fukuoka, 60km.
Airport facilities: Passenger and airfreight facilities available.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours, 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts.
Stevedore's working hours:
Daytime, 0830-1630hrs.
Half night, 1630-2130hrs.
All night, 2130-0600hrs (sometimes short of gangs).
Deadline for ordering gangs: Until 1500hrs of the previous day and the same time on Sat for Mon work. Daytime work may be extended to half night for vessels sailing on the very day as the gangs continuously work without shift.
Sat: First and 3rd week, daytime work only except for vessels leaving on the same day.
Sun: First and 3rd week, no work; 2nd, 4th and 5th week, same as holiday.
Holiday: Daytime work only but may be extended to half night for vessels sailing on the same day.
Log gangs: Available.
About Moji
updated Mar 2021Where it is
Moji is situated on the N coast of Kyushu facing the Kanmon Strait which separates Kyushu and Honshu.
The port
Moji is part of the Kitakyushu port complex.
The port has extensive facilities and is capable of handling all major cargo traffic including bulk, container, petroleum and general cargoes. Latterly, some port activities have moved 8.5km South to Shinmoji Port. There are two major Vehicle Distribution Centres, Tanoura handling secondhand vehicles in the Moji area and Shinmoji handling new vehicles and components.
Traffic
Approx 9,500,000t of cargo, 500,000TEU and 31,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Moji
What are the pilot arrangements at Moji?
Harbour pilot boards 0.9nm, bearing 340° from He Saki Light (33°57.56'N 131°01.39'E).
What time zone is Moji in?
Local time at Moji is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Moji?
The deepest berth listed is at Tachinoura Container Terminal No 1: 10.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Moji?
1025.
Which load line zone is Moji in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Moji?
Port State Control at Moji: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Moji?
The UN/LOCODE of Moji is JPMOJ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Moji 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.