Niigata-Higashi

Size limits

LOA 323.6m, beam 50m, draught 12m, 121,963DWT.

Water density

1024.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range max 0.3m; min 0.0m. The tidal streams off the entrance to Niigata Ko Nishi Ku flow NE and SW, with rates not exceeding 0.5kt.

Shinano Kawa, near its mouth, flows at a rate of approx 1.75kts at the surface, but of only 0.25kt at depths of 4.0-6.0m. The river sets E around the head of E Breakwater, on to the coastal bank NE.

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

Approach

The fairway leading to the entrance between breakwaters, which faces NE, has a draught limitation of 13.0m leading to an area, dredged to 14.0m in the approach to Niigata LNG berth. The least depth in the fairway in the inner harbour SW of East Breakwater No 1 is 12.6m.

The fairway of the inner channel has depths of about 10.0-13.0m, and is crossed at its N end by a gas pipeline.

Leading beacons, situated close to East Breakwater No 1, in line bearing 197° lead through the harbour entrance to the dredged area off Niigata LNG Berth.

Quarantine Anchorage (37°58.1'N 139°03.3'E) situated NW of Nishi Ku harbour entrance.

Vessels waiting for berths should anchor in an area W of the head of No 2 West Breakwater (37°58.5'N 139°04.5'E), in 20m or more.

Port limits

The harbour limits extend 2.75nm offshore from 2nm W of Niigata Ko Nishi Ku to 2nm E of Niigata Ko Higashi Ku.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage is established NW of the harbour entrance. There are depths of 18.0-28.0m, sand, but the holding ground off Niigata is notoriously bad.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes are required to report their anchorage positions to the harbour master.

Large tankers: Deep draught vessels bound for Niigata West (Nishi) carrying dangerous cargoes or crude oil should anchor in an area within a radius of 800m for a position (about 37°58.0'N 139°02.0'E) 1.8nm by 284° from Nishi Ku W Breakwater Light.

Other vessels should use an area within a radius of 500m from a position (about 37°57.0'N 139°02.0'E) 1.5nm by 260° from the same light.

Anchorage regulations: Because of the high risk of dragging, special regulations are in force, and special instructions for the safety of vessels may be issued by the harbour master.

Vessels anchoring in the roadstead are required to avoid the vicinity of the harbour entrance. In bad weather vessels, except those awaiting a pilot or quarantine inspection, should remain in depths of at least 25.0m, W of the line of prolongation of W No 2 Breakwater.

Vessels at anchor in the roadstead are required to maintain either a visual watch or a radio listening watch; if bad weather is forecast an anchor watch is to be set, with main engines standing by.

Vessels should avoid long term anchoring outside the harbour in winter. If bad weather is forecast during the winter monsoon, early shelter should be sought in the lee of Sado Shima.

Restrictions

Floating logs and driftwood may be encountered in the port.

Tugs

There are 6 tugs available. Joint and cooperative service is undertaken between Niigata, Niigata-Higashi and Naoetsu Ports.

Mooring

LPG Berth: Due to its exposed position there is often a swell on to the berth therefore the terminal require a minimum of 16 mooring lines and berthing/cargo operations will not be carried out if wind velocity is expected to exceed 29kts and wave height to exceed 1.5m.

Charts and publications

JP1180, JP145. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be sent on departure from last port and then10, 4, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Niigata Pilots: Ch 16, 06, 08. Tel: +81 25 244 2320. Fax: +81 25 244 9551.

Niigata Coast Guard Radio: Ch 12, 16. Tel: +81 25 244 4151. Available 24 hours.

Email: [email protected]

Health

Free pratique: Usually vessels anchor in position 37°58.1'N 139°03.3'E, where the authorities board and grant free pratique.

Radio pratique and sanitary inspection: Available.

Customs and immigration

Immigration formalities: The authorities will attend from Niigata.

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

Various repair shops are capable of carrying out minor repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore at No 1 Centre Pier, Shintoh Berth, and Niigata LNG Berth. (Unavailable by barge).

Bunkering: Bonded bunkers will be brought from Moji or Hakodate with 7 days advance notice.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Toyosaka Hospital, 7.6km.

Transport

Nearest Airport: Niigata Airport located at Niigata, 9km (domestic only).

Nearest Railway: Japan Railway Station, 16km.

Highway: Niigata-Kuko Interchange, 12km.

Working hours

Stevedore's Working Hours: Ordinary day: 0830 to 1630hrs. Sunday: 1st and 3rd weeks, 2nd, 4th and 5th weeks, arrangeable with 25% additional charge.

Where it is

Niigata is situated on the W coast of Honshu opposite the island of Sadogashima.

The port

Niigata is the principal port on the NW coast of Japan. The port has two main areas, the original West Port District (Nishi) and the new East Port District (Higashi). The two sections of the port are very different in character. West Port District consists of a series of berthing areas located on either side of Shinano Kawa and its approach channels. East Port District is an artificially created port which consists of two basins; the outer basin is situated just inside the harbour entrance, and from there a channel leads into the inner basin.

The port handles general, bulk cargo, has a large container handling facility and has terminals for domestic and international passengers. The port also handles liquid, LPG and LNG facilities.

Traffic

Approximate 28,000,000t of cargo, 110,000TEU and 8,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Niigata-Higashi?

Pilotage is not compulsory but recommended.

What time zone is Niigata-Higashi in?

Local time at Niigata-Higashi is UTC+9. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Niigata-Higashi?

The deepest berth listed is at Niigata LNG Terminal: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Niigata-Higashi?

1024.

Which load line zone is Niigata-Higashi in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Niigata-Higashi?

Port State Control at Niigata-Higashi: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Niigata-Higashi?

The UN/LOCODE of Niigata-Higashi is JPNIH.

What crews who called at Niigata-Higashi 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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