Pohang

1. Pohang pilot boarding area Pilot boards36°06.2′N 129°29.9′E

Size limits

LOA 340m, beam 60m, 3262,932DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

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

Approach

Entrance to Pohang Bay is approx 5.6km wide in depths of 23.0m. Although open to the NNE, there is good shelter from prevailing winds. The port is an open roadstead with no approach hazards and no channel.

The Pohang harbour consists of an outer basin with an inner harbour S of the basin, both are protected on the N side by the main breakwater, 1nm in length and on the E side by another breakwater, 0.3nm in length, extending N from an area reclaimed for harbour development. A large reclamation project is underway immediately N of the N breakwater. Two detached breakwaters have been constructed near the middle of the harbour to protect the inner basin.

Lights are exhibited from the ends of these breakwaters, another light is exhibited from a tower off the foreshore in position, 36°00.0'N 129°25.4'E.

Lightbuoys, in accordance with IALA Maritime Buoyage System "B", mark the approaches to the harbour.

Leading beacons, 36°01.0'N 129°26.0'E, (triangular topmarks), the front standing on the E Breakwater and the rear, 0.7nm SW in line bearing 240°, lead through the buoyed approach channel.

A direction light, 36°01.0'N 129°24.0'E is exhibited on the W side of the harbour, the white sector bearing between 262° and 265.3°, indicates the inner fairway through the harbour entrance.

Port limits

The outer limit of the port is defined by a line drawn from a position 1nm NW of Talman Gap (36°07.0'N 129°26.0'E) E for 3.75nm, and then S to the shore at Sul Mi.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Participation in the VTS is mandatory for all foreign vessels, Korean vessels over 300gt (except coastal fishing vessels), Korean vessels carrying dangerous cargo and Korean towing vessels over LOA200m.

The VTS is operated for the purpose of providing navigational information to vessels navigating within the Pohang Port limit. The VTS area covers the inner harbour limit and a radius of 6.0nm from Homigot Light (36°04.50'N 129°34.30'E).

Radar: Vessels requiring radar information advice should call Pohang VTS on VHF Ch 16 or 12.

Anchorages

Designated anchorages, Nos 1-18, lie within the harbour limits E and SE of Pohang. Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of the submerged oil pipeline berths, 1.5nm E of the harbour entrance and in the approach to Pohang New Harbour. Both areas are marked by buoys. Although the holding ground is good, the anchorage is open to heavy swell from the NE in winter and the berths E of the New Harbour may be dangerous in heavy weather.

There is an outer anchorage area which contains a designated quarantine anchorage, with a radius of 0.45nm, 3.5nm ENE of Talman Gap (36°07.0'N 129°26.0'E).

Tugs

There are 7 tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 898, 3666. Admiralty Pilot NP43, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station and when within VHF range.

The following information should be included: Callsign, ship's name, gross tonnage, crew numbers, last port, cargo name and quantity.

Communications

Vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 or 16. Any defects affecting a vessel's ability to navigate should be reported immediately.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered when passing port limits.

Documents

CS = Customs; IM = Immigration; HA = Health Authorities.

Health

An overseas vessel approaching the port requiring pratique should send a message to the quarantine officer not less than 36 hours prior to arrival. The following information is required: Name of vessel, ETA, number of crew and passengers, port of departure and date, name of Master, cargo and quantity, diseases onboard and doctor onboard. Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

The customs allowances for officers and crew are as follows, 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of wine.

Notices and regulations

A designated area covers the approaches to Pohang Hang. Large vessels, vessels carrying dangerous cargoes and tugs with a length of tow of 200m or more, must inform the PTMS 12 hours before arrival, giving an ETA for entry into the designated area and details of the vessel. This requirement is to help reduce the risk of collision and congestion in the approach to Pohang Hang.

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.

Repairs

Minor repair facilities are available. Divers are available.

Dry docks

Patent slips for vessels up to 500t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Supplied by water barge.

Bunkering: Available locally. For large quantities 48 hours notice is required. All grades are obtainable from oil companies.

Stores: Available.

Crew change

Crew members are not allowed ashore without landing cards, which are supplied by agents.

Repatriation can be arranged.

Transport

Nearest airport: Pohang, 3km.

Airport facilities: There are 5 flights a day to Seoul International Airport.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Pohang is situated on the E coast of South Korea.

The port

Pohang consists of two harbours, Pohang Old Harbour (Guhang) and Pohang New Harbour (Shinhang).

The old harbour consists of an outer basin, protected by breakwaters, and an inner narrow dock. This harbour contains a ferry terminal and provides berths for small passenger vessels, coastal cargo vessels and fishing boats.

Main exports are fish, fish products and steel, imports include iron ore, coal and petroleum.

The new harbour, for commercial vessels, is built on reclaimed land E of the entrance to Hyongsan Gang and consists of a large and almost fully enclosed basin. It is protected on its N and W sides by reclaimed land faced with a breakwater, and on its E side by a breakwater extending N for 0.7nm from the entrance to a stream.

The private new port of Pohang Youngil is operational and lies 6nm NE of Pohang, consisting of container and general cargo berths, see under separate entry.

Traffic

Approx 52,000,000t of cargo and 4,000 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Pohang?

The pilot boards at Pohang pilot boarding area, 36°06.2′N 129°29.9′E.

What time zone is Pohang in?

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

What is the water density at Pohang?

1025.

Which load line zone is Pohang in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Pohang?

Port State Control at Pohang: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Pohang?

The UN/LOCODE of Pohang is KRKPO.

What crews who called at Pohang 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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