PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Sendai
Pilot
- 仙台湾水先区 仙台沖灯浮標 Pilot boards38°13.4′N 141°08.0′E
Key data
updated Nov 2022Size limits
LOA 339.5m, beam 60m, draught 14.7m, 317,826DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range max 1.4m; min 1.1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shin Sendai Thermal Station | — | 315 m | 1 |
| JX Nippon Oil Terminal | 14.70 m | 340 m | 8 |
| Koyo Wharf | 11.50 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Nakano Terminal | 11.50 m | 229 m | 6 |
| Takamatsu Wharf | 11.40 m | 183 m | 2 |
| Takasago Container Terminal | 9.00 m | 184 m | 2 |
| Zennoh Terminal | — | 109 m | 1 |
| Ranjin Terminal | 7.00 m | 175 m | 3 |
| Shin Minato LNG Terminal | 6.80 m | 130 m | 1 |
| JFE Steel Terminal | 6.70 m | 100 m | 5 |
| Sendai Ferry Terminal | 6.70 m | 200 m | 2 |
| Sendai Power Station Terminal (SPS) | 5.50 m | 83 m | 1 |
| Matsugahama Fishing Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Shobuta Fishing Terminal | — | — | 4 |
| TohokuTerminal | — | 31 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2019Approach
Entrance channel: Sendai "A" Lightbuoy, moored 5nm SE of the channel. A pair of lightbuoys are moored midway between Sendai "A" Lightbuoy and the harbour entrance.
Thereafter the starboard side of the approach is marked by lightbuoys leading NW to No 4 Lightbuoy (starboard hand); then W to the harbour entrance and passing to the N of a prohibited area surrounding breakwater construction work, 0.8nm ESE from South Breakwater Light.
The channel passes SW of the following dangers:
One Tai and Hashimane Tai, lying between 4 and 6nm E of Sendai Ku, with general depths over them of less than 20.0m.
O Ne, at the N end of One Tai, having rocks on it with depths of 2.0m or less over them, usually marked by breakers.
Two lightbuoys moored 1.25nm SE of the harbour entrance, mark a wave meter which is connected to the head of S Breakwater by a submarine cable.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available at Raijin Wharf in depths of 7.5m and within an area of 149,000m².
A quarantine anchorage, 1nm in diameter, is situated 4nm SE of the entrance to Sendai Ku, 1nm W of Sendai "A" Lightbuoy; the holding is reported to be fair, sand and mud.
Alternatively, the quarantine anchorage off Shiogama may be used.
As fishing nets abound inside the harbour area, vessels should adhere strictly to designated anchorages.
Restrictions
Restrictions for vessels entry and/or sailing from Sendai: Priority of entry and/or sailing from the port is given to ferries.
Entry and sailing of other vessels is restricted to outside the time of ferry schedules.
Entry of tankers is controlled by Tohoku Oil Refinery under the supervision of harbour master.
Vessels drawing more than 14.9m have to enter at HW.
Tugs
Four tugs of up to 3200bhp, three additional tugs are available from Shiogama.
Charts and publications
JP64A, JP64B, JP79. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Communications
VHF: Call "Shiogama-Ho-An" on Ch 16, 12.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free pratique: Free pratique is available at the quarantine anchorage (38°13.03'N 141°06.42'E).
Customs and immigration
Customs: Yokohama Customs, Shiogama branch.
Immigration: The authorities are not stationed, but will attend from Shiogama when required.
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 Nov 2022Repairs
Small repairs can be undertaken at Shiogama.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore (240tph).
Bunkering: Domestic oil is available; bonded oil is also available from Tohoku Oil KK (same as Mitsubishi Oil).
Stores: Available from Shiogama.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Sendai City Hospital (8km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Sendai Airport (16km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Sendai
updated Aug 2026Where it is
Sendai is situated on the NE coast of Honshu in Miyagi Prefecture.
The port
It is an artificial port that was opened in 1971.
Traffic
Approx 42,300,000t of cargo, 260,000TEU, 7,000 vessels and 210,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Sendai
Where does the pilot board at Sendai?
The pilot boards at 仙台湾水先区 仙台沖灯浮標, 38°13.4′N 141°08.0′E.
What time zone is Sendai in?
Local time at Sendai is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Sendai?
The deepest berth listed is at JX Nippon Oil Terminal: 14.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Sendai?
1025.
Which load line zone is Sendai in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Sendai?
Port State Control at Sendai: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Sendai?
The UN/LOCODE of Sendai is JPSDJ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Sendai 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.