Naha

Size limits

LOA 315.83m, draught 15.0m, bream 43m, 93,594DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range max 2.61m; min 0.38m. NW currents prevail towards High Tide and SW currents towards Low Tide. Current speed is faster offshore at 1.5-2.5kts.

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

Approach

Draught limitation in the channel is 11.0m.

Approaches: The main approach channel to Naha Harbour, leads between Asano Bise, a detached reef with a least depth of 2.2m lying 1.5nm N of Omine Saki, and Kanno Bise, parts of which dry 0.6m, 0.6nm NE; then S of Sinko No 1 Breakwater extending from 0.5nm S of the S extremity of Kanno Bise to 0.17nm N of the N extremity of Jijaka Bise and crossing the E end of Kanno Bise. A light is exhibited from each end of the breakwater.

Naha Harbour Middle Lightbuoy (Morse "A") is moored 0.8nm NW of Asano Bise and marks the entrance to To Kuchi; then the channel to the entrance to the commercial harbour is marked by three pairs of lightbuoys.

Leading lights are exhibited, each from a white framework tower:

Front Light, at an elevation of 15m, at the seaward end of a quay on the N side of the commercial harbour.

Rear Light, at an elevation of 38m, at the head of the harbour. The lights in line, bearing 127°, lead through To Kuchi and into the harbour entrance.

Miyako Kuchi, the S approach channel, is entered between Nakano Asase, a shoal patch 1nm NW of Omine Saki, and Asano Bise, and then between Asano Bise and the reefs fringing the coast N of Omine Saki. This channel is unmarked and should only be used by vessels with local knowledge.

A detached breakwater, 340m in length, is situated in the centre of this channel, 1.25nm NNE of Omine Saki.

Yamato Kuchi, the N approach channel to Naha Harbour, lies between the N end of Shinko No 1 Breakwater and a detached breakwater 0.35nm NNE.

A wave recorder lies 0.7nm W of the entrance lightbuoy. The associated submarine cable is laid E through Yamato Kuchi to the basin entrance, located 0.8nm NNW of Shinko Wharf, then S to the shore.

The Inner Channel, marked by lightbuoys, leads S to the outer harbour.

Yamato Kuchi may be used by vessels up to 3,000t, but as the navigable width is restricted by a large number of coral reefs, it should only be used at night by vessels with local knowledge.

Anchorages

A quarantine anchorage is established in the vicinity of 26°14.48'N 127°38.86'E. During storms vessels may seek more sheltered anchorage in Kerama Kaikyo (26°11.09'N 127°19.67'E) or Agonoura Ko (26°14.03'N 127°19.08'E).

Anchoring is prohibited in the fairway to the commercial harbour and in the Naha channel downstream of the Meiji Bridge, except in the following circumstances:

When the vessel is attempting to avoid a marine accident.

When the vessel has lost the ability to manoeuvre.

When the vessel intends to give assistance to persons or another vessel in distress.

When the vessel has been given permission by the Captain of the Port to carry out work, according to the provisions of Article 31 of the law.

Tugs

Naha Tug Service Co. Ltd. TEL: +81 98 868 4727 FAX: +81 98 868 1029

Charts and publications

BA 2024, 3236, JP226, Japanese W243. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels of 500GT or over should send ETA at entrance to the fairway by noon of the day before entering the fairway.

Communications

Harbour Master TEL: +81(0)98 8670118

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free Pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage, 26°14.18'N 127°38.57'E.

Customs and immigration

Officers will attend only after vessel is berthed.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore at 25tph.

Bunkering: Only domestic oil is available.

Medical

Close to port.

Transport

Nearest airport: Naha International Airport, 5km.

Working hours

Normally 0830-2200hrs.

Stevedore's working hours: Sunday: Not available except 5th Sunday. Holiday: Available from 0830 to 2200hrs except New Year's Festivals according to both Solar and Lunar Calendars and Obon Festival according to Lunar Calendar.

Where it is

Naha port is located on Okinawa Island, approximately 600km southwest of mainland Japan.

The port

It is the principal port of Okinawa Island. The port is split into four main areas, Naha, Tomari, Shinko and Urasoe Terminals. The port handles container commodities, passenger ferries and Ro-Ro vessels, agricultural and fishery products. A new cruise vessel terminal building, called Marine Gateway, has been completed in Naha to handle an increase in domestic and international tourism.

Traffic

Approx 16,000,000t of cargo, 590,000TEU and 8,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Naha?

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 300GT entering Naha Wharf, but not compulsory for Shinko Wharf.

What time zone is Naha in?

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

What is the water density at Naha?

1025.

Which load line zone is Naha in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Naha?

Port State Control at Naha: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Naha?

The UN/LOCODE of Naha is JPNAH.

What crews who called at Naha 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.

Read and add tips for Naha →