PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Osaka
Pilot
updated May 2010Note: Container ships may leave the port around the clock and arrive up to 2359hrs and up to 0200hrs at Nanko.
In bad weather if a pilot is unable to board alternative arrangements will be notified by radio.
Key data
updated May 2010Water density
1025.
Tides
Range, max 1.63m; min 0.08m; average (+)0.95m.
Tidal currents: Outside the breakwaters, tidal currents are constant and generally flow southward. The speed of current both inside and outside the port is relatively slow (approx 7.7kts at ebb tide), which does not influence vessel's navigation.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nanko Container Terminal | — | — | 8 |
| Dream Island Container Terminal (DICT) | 13.00 m | — | 4 |
| Hokko Shiratsu | — | — | 6 |
| J Wharf | — | — | 3 |
| Kuribayashi Steamship Nanko Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Nakayama Steel West Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| R Wharf | — | — | 5 |
| Sumitomo Corp. Nanko Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Central Pier North Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Osaka Port Silo Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Tempozan Passenger Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Umemachi West Wharf | 10.90 m | 183 m | 6 |
| Umemachi Wharf | — | — | 3 |
| Ajikawa Wharf 1 | — | — | 1 |
| International Ferry Terminal | — | — | 2 |
All 63 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| K Wharf | — | — | 2 |
| Liner Wharf | — | — | 7 |
| Sakurajima Wharf | — | — | 3 |
| Tsuruhama Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Wharf 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 6 | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 7 | — | — | 3 |
| Ajikawa Wharf 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Ajikawa Wharf 3 | — | — | 1 |
| Tatsumi Ajiwaka Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Nakayama Steel East Wharf | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 10 | — | — | 5 |
| Wharf 5 | — | — | 3 |
| Osaka Nanko Ferry Terminal | — | — | 8 |
| A Wharf | — | — | 8 |
| B Wharf | — | — | 4 |
| D Wharf | — | — | 5 |
| E Wharf | — | — | 7 |
| Hokko Wharf | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 3 | — | — | 2 |
| Wharf 8 | — | — | 3 |
| Osaka Gast East Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Osaka Gas Torishima Wharf | — | — | 4 |
| Osaka Gas West Pier | — | — | 1 |
| Summit Steel Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Ajiwaka Pier | — | — | 3 |
| G Wharf | — | — | 8 |
| I Wharf | — | — | 8 |
| Sunny Metal Pier | — | — | 1 |
| Tsuneyoshi Wharf | — | — | 4 |
| Wharf 11 | — | — | 3 |
| Taisho Pier 1 North Wharf | — | — | 5 |
| Kansai Terminal | — | 66 m | 2 |
| Sakishima Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Ajikawa M7 | — | — | 1 |
| Nissinseiko Sakurajima | — | — | 1 |
| Shimaya 2 Chome | — | — | 2 |
| Sumitomo Cement | — | — | 1 |
| Taisho Pier 1 South Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| Taisho Pier 1 West Wharf | — | — | 1 |
| AST-Inc Hokko Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| AST-Inc Unemachi Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Daido Sakurajima | — | — | 1 |
| Tatsumi Hokko Futo | — | — | 1 |
| Umemachi East Wharf | — | — | 5 |
| Umemachi H10 | — | — | 1 |
| Umemachi H12 | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2019Approach
The max draught permitted in the channel is 12.0m.
Anchorages
Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage is situated on the N side of Sakai South Fairway (34°37.12'N 135°22.52'E).
Anchor berths are allocated by the captain of the port; vessels should not anchor without his permission.
There are anchorages for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes in Area 5 and 6.
Restrictions
Container ships may enter from sunrise to midnight; conventional ships may enter from sunrise to sunset.
Kansai International Airport (34°26.0'N 135°14.0'E) is centred 4.8km off the SE shore of the bay; it is surrounded by an entry prohibited area about 0.3nm wide. Low flying aircraft approach sectors extend 1.5 miles NE and SW from the extremities of the airport. An approach tower stands 0.25nm offshore at each end of the runway, a light is exhibited from both towers. Vessels transiting the area are advised to give the airport a wide berth.
Aji Kawa Bridge: Vertical clearance of 45m.
Konohana Bridge: The navigable channel is under the E part of the bridge, indicated by bridge lights with a vertical clearance of 31m.
Tugs
Approx. 60 privately owned tugs (540-5,000hp)
Charts and publications
JP106, JP1103, JP150A & JP123. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels of 10,000GT and over intending to enter (or depart from Sakai-Senboku Ku) through the section of Hamadera Fairway E of a line drawn 181° from position 262° x 2,755m from Hamadera Signal Station, shall notify the Harbour Master of their ETA at the vicinity of the entrance (or estimated time of sailing) by noon of the previous day.
The above also applies to vessels over 3,000GT intending to use Sakai South Fairway and vessels over 5,000GT intending to use South Harbour Fairway. ETA should be confirmed 6 hours in advance of stipulated time of arrival at the pilot boarding area; any amendments to ETA are to be notified immediately.
Communications
Harbour Radar Information broadcasts on R/T 2019kHz.
VHF: Osaka Port Radio: Ch 16; 12, 19, 20.
Harbour Pilots: Ch 16, Tel: +81 6 576 1731, Fax: +81 6 5753734.
Baypilot Kobe: Ch 16; 13 (Intership) 68.
Traffic Advisory Service: Ch 13, 16; 14.
Osaka Harbour Radar: Ch 16; 14, 22,
Information on berth designation, tug services, mooring line handlers and quarantine applications through Ch 12, 16, 19 and 20.
Osaka Port and Harbour Bureau: Website: http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free Pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage (34°37.12'N 135°22.52'E), on the N side of Sakai South Fairway.
Traffic Routes: See Japan Country Information for details of vessels required to report to shore authorities before entering any of the traffic routes on the Japanese coast.
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 2010Repairs
The shipyards and various repair shops are capable of carrying out all kinds of ship fitting out and repair work.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore and barge.
Bunkering: Most grades of domestic and bonded oil are available.
Medical
Osaka Ekisaikai Hospital, 2-1-10 Honden, Nishi-ku, Osaka, Tel: +81 6 571 5219. Osaka Seamen's Hospital, 1-8-30, Chikko, Minato-ku, Osaka, Tel: +81 6 572 5721.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kansai International and Maishima Heliport.
Working hours
Weekdays, 2nd and 4th Sat, throughout 24 hours; Holidays, 1st and 3rd Sun, no operations; 2nd and 4th Sun, 1st and 3rd Sat 0830-1630hrs.
Questions about Osaka
What are the pilot arrangements at Osaka?
Note: Container ships may leave the port around the clock and arrive up to 2359hrs and up to 0200hrs at Nanko.
What time zone is Osaka in?
Local time at Osaka is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Osaka?
The deepest berth listed is at Dream Island Container Terminal (DICT): 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Osaka?
1025.
Who carries out Port State Control at Osaka?
Port State Control at Osaka: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Osaka?
The UN/LOCODE of Osaka is JPOSA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Osaka 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.