PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Nishihara
Pilot
updated May 2010Available with advance notice of at least 24 hours required. Local agents will advise pilot boarding point, after obtaining MSA permission.
SALM Berth: Berthing Master boarding point is in Anchorage N3 (26°13.2'N 127°51.8'E).
Key data
updated Mar 2022Size limits
Harbour: LOA 250m, beam 45m, draught 13.5m, 109,999DWT.
SALM Buoy: LOA 350m, draught 21.0m, approx 280,000DWT.
Water density
1,025
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 2.4-0.3m. Weak current, less than 0.4kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nansei Sekiyu KK | 21.00 m | 350 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2022Approach
Single Anchor Leg Mooring Buoy (SALM):
Head 250°, keeping Tachi Kuchi Buoy to the left, then alter course to 288° at the point 0.5nm off S of Tikuniga Navigation Buoy Fl (2) 5s and head to the berthing masters boarding area, anchorage N3.
No 1 and 2 Berths: Enter the port through Tachi kuchi, same as berthing at the SALM, to a point 0.5nm off S of Takuniga Navigation Buoy, then alter course to 288° heading for a point midway between the SALM and Nakasone Navigation Buoy. Alter course to 254° when approx 0.7nm before abeam of Nakosone Navigation Buoy, then make berthing approach to the respective berth, after passing Unzu Navigation Buoy.
No 3 Berth: At No 4 Buoy there is a channel leading off through the reefs heading to the NW, W and SW, approaching the berth from the NE.
Restrictions
SALM Buoy; Arrival time for berthing in loaded condition 4.5hrs before sunset and for ballasted condition 3.5hrs before sunset. Unberthing permitted at any time.
Alongside berths: Arrival time for berthing in loaded condition 2.5hrs before sunset and for ballasted condition 2.0hrs before sunset. Unberthing permitted at any time.
Tugs
Two tugs of 3,200hp available.
Mooring
SALM Buoy: The completion of mooring operation takes 2 hours and about 2 hours for the hose connection. The berthing master will give necessary directions to vessel at the bridge acting also as a pilot. The loading master and the line handlers will make necessary preparation work of the mooring at the bow of the vessel. The winch or windlass of the vessel shall be operated by the vessel's crew.
Charts and publications
JB226. BA 2024. Admiralty Pilot NP42A.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Communications
VHF: Ch 16.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
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 May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Only available at jetty berths.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx 40 minutes by taxi.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours, 7 days week.
About Nishihara
updated Nov 2010Where it is
Nishihara is situated in Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa.
The port
Nishihara has an oil refinery situated on reclaimed land, on the foreshore of Nakagusuku Bay. VLCC crude oil tankers berth at the Single Anchor Leg Mooring Buoy (SALM) positioned 3,600m from the shore. There are also three alongside berths in addition to the SALM buoy which are crude and products loading/unloading berths.
Questions about Nishihara
What are the pilot arrangements at Nishihara?
Available with advance notice of at least 24 hours required.
What time zone is Nishihara in?
Local time at Nishihara is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Nishihara?
The deepest berth listed is at Nansei Sekiyu KK: 21.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Nishihara?
1,025
Which load line zone is Nishihara in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Nishihara?
Port State Control at Nishihara: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Nishihara?
The UN/LOCODE of Nishihara is JPNHR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Nishihara 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.