PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Otaru
Pilot
- Otaru Ko pilot boarding Pilot boards43°12.6′N 141°02.4′E
Key data
updated Dec 2024Size limits
LOA 323.59m, beam 37.5m, draught 12.4m, 82,448DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Dec 1 to Feb 28/29, Summer Mar 1 to Nov 30.
Tides
Range max 0.42m; min 0.10m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| No 1 Wharf | — | 183 m | 6 |
| Katsunai Wharf | 12.40 m | 294 m | 5 |
| Central Wharf | — | 190 m | 6 |
| No 3 Wharf | — | 324 m | 6 |
| No 2 Wharf | — | 134 m | 6 |
| Minato Machi Wharf | — | 146 m | 2 |
| Umayu-machi wharf | — | 105 m | 3 |
| Hokuren Agricultural Terminal | — | — | 3 |
| Nippun Otaru Terminal | — | — | 3 |
| San Ei Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Takashima Fishing Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2024Approach
The draught limitation in the channel is 14.0m.
Depth inside the breakwater is 3.6-17.0m, depth in Otaru Fairway is 10.0-17.0m.
Direction: From NW, after rounding Takashima Misaki (43°12.2'N 141°01.02'E) at a distance of not less than 0.7nm, the recommended approach leads towards Hiraiso Misaki.
The fairway through the harbour entrance (43°11.8'N 141°01.7'E) leads WNW between breakwaters and is marked on each side by a light, 14m in height. At night these lights are not easily distinguished from those of the city behind.
Anchorages
Quarantine anchorage: Located 0.5nm to the S of N Sab breakwater lighthouse (43°11.51'N 141°01.48'E), depth 10.0-15.0m.
Section 1 (inside): Between N breakwater and Otaru Fairway, depth 10.0-20.0m.
Section 2 (inside): Between S breakwater and Otaru Fairway, depth 10.0-13.0m.
Inner anchorage: Anchorage can be obtained within the breakwater in depths of 9.0-13.0m, mud and sand, not very good holding ground. The N part of the inner harbour is preferable as some rock patches lie in the S part.
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available of 2,600hp each.
Charts and publications
JP18041, JP28. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Communications
VHF: Call "Otaru-Ho-An" on Ch 16, 12.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage, a circle of radius 700m directed 9° x 1,040m from North Breakwater Lighthouse.
Customs and immigration
The port carries out procedures for customs clearing and immigration control.
Notices and regulations
Vessels not equipped with spark guards on their funnels, vessels using naked flame or with inadequate fire fighting equipment, are prohibited from approaching within 30m of the installations handling petroleum products and LPG vessels berthed in the port area.
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 Dec 2024Repairs
Small repairs can be undertaken. There are three slipways for vessels of less than 125t
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all piers and wharves, except Watatake dolphin.
Bunkering: Domestic oil is available; bonded oil can be brought from Hakodate, when required.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Otaru Kyokai Hospital (1.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Sapporo-Okadama Airport (30km).
Working hours
Normally weekdays 0830-1630hrs, 1630-2100hrs. Sunday 0830-1600hrs, except 1st and 3rd Sunday.
About Otaru
updated Dec 2024Where it is
Otaru is a natural harbour located on the centre W coast of Hokkaido, Japan's North island.
The port
The port, sheltered on three sides by land and protected by 3,556m of breakwaters, has recently been dredged to 13m, enabling it to accommodate Panamax-size grain vessels. It offers safe anchorages with calm waters up to 15m deep and regular ferry services to Niigata, Tsuruga, and Maizuru. Additionally, the port serves as a quarantine center for plants and animals, facilitating the import of agricultural and farm stock products. Key imports include corn, soybeans, wheat, logs, marine products, timber, and farm stock, while exports consist of packing materials, cars, and heavy machinery.
Traffic
Approx 11,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Otaru
Where does the pilot board at Otaru?
The pilot boards at Otaru Ko pilot boarding, 43°12.6′N 141°02.4′E.
What time zone is Otaru in?
Local time at Otaru is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Otaru?
The deepest berth listed is at Katsunai Wharf: 12.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Otaru?
1025.
Which load line zone is Otaru in?
Summer zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length.
Who carries out Port State Control at Otaru?
Port State Control at Otaru: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Otaru?
The UN/LOCODE of Otaru is JPOTR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Otaru 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.