PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Shimonoseki
Pilot
updated Nov 2012Compulsory. Pilotage should be requested no later than 2 hours before arrival at the Mutsure Shima or Hesaki Quarantine Anchorages.
Kanmon Strait Pilot: Vessels from the W, in the vicinity of Mutsure Shima (33°58'N 130°52'E);
Vessels from Seto Naikai, 0.5nm SE of He Saki Light (33°57'N 131°02'E). Change over point with Naikai pilots.
Key data
updated Nov 2019Size limits
Max draught 11.1m, LOA 348m, beam 41.4m, 95,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range, max 2.0m; min 0.20m. Speed of the current in the middle part of the strait is approx 6kts during spring tide, while at the narrowest part it is approx 9kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daitoh Tank Terminal (Matsure) | — | 260 m | 3 |
| Arcaport | — | 236 m | 1 |
| Nishiyama | — | 113 m | 3 |
| Hikoshima Seiren | — | — | 1 |
| Choshu Dejima Island (Multipurpose International Terminal) | 11.10 m | 348 m | 1 |
| Chofu | — | 180 m | 3 |
| Hananocho | — | 203 m | 4 |
| Pier No 1 | 10.00 m | 200 m | 6 |
| Hosoe | 9.40 m | 150 m | 5 |
| Pier No 2 | 9.10 m | 180 m | 3 |
| Arata Wharf | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2019Approach
Minimum depth in the entrance channel to Main Port is 13.0m. The Kanmon Fairway is approx 25nm in length and is located between Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu Ports.
Traffic schemes and VTS
See Country information and NP286(4) for details.
All vessels of 50m or more in length are required to use the traffic routes.
A vessel of 300m or more in length and a vessel carrying dangerous cargo are required to report their intentions to the appropriate authority and comply with subsequent instructions. A vessel of 200m or more in length, in general, has the right of way within routes.
At the intersection or junction of a traffic route, all vessels should keep out of the way of a vessel of 200m or more in length, navigating along the traffic route.
Anchorages
Western anchorages: Outer anchorages available in a temporary anchorage area available N of Matsure Shima for vessels of more than 10.0m draught or 30,000GT.
Eastern anchorage: The quarantine anchorage lies on the SW side of the E approach to Kanmon Kaikyo, depths and are generally more than 12.0m but less than 10.0m in the SW part.
Restrictions
Port entry is restricted to daylight hours only.
Caution: A submarine oil pipeline extends 0.5nm from the shore 0.4nm N of Yamasokono Hana, where there is an oil fuel storage area; a small red buoy marks the outer end of the pipeline
Tugs
There are 10 tugs available.
Mooring
CBM: Tankers secure between four mooring buoys at the Nissin CBM submarine oil pipelines to discharge oil, position 0.4nm N of Yamasokono Hana. Berthing daylight only during N'ly tidal stream in Kanmon Strait.
Charts and publications
Chart JP135, 12632, 1263. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
Free Pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the anchorages of Mutsure or Hesaki in day time.
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. Can be supplied by lighter.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ube, 50km.
Nearest railway: Shimonoseki.
Working hours
Normally 0830-2130hrs.
About Shimonoseki
updated Jun 2022Where it is
Shimonoseki is located at the western tip of Honshu, on the Kanmon Straits, directly opposite Moji.
The port
The port consists of 5 commercial areas, Main Port, Nishiyama/Arata/Fukuura Ports, Hananocho Port, East Port and Chofu Port. The first phase of the new port area, Choshu Dejima Island (Multipurpose International Terminal), on the west coast is now open, with facilities for vehicle carriers. When finished, the project will consist of a large artificial island for international multipurpose cargoes.
Traffic
Approx 4,000,000t of cargo,48,000TEU, 26,000 vessels and 260,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Shimonoseki
What are the pilot arrangements at Shimonoseki?
Compulsory. Pilotage should be requested no later than 2 hours before arrival at the Mutsure Shima or Hesaki Quarantine Anchorages.
What time zone is Shimonoseki in?
Local time at Shimonoseki is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Shimonoseki?
The deepest berth listed is at Choshu Dejima Island (Multipurpose International Terminal): 11.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Shimonoseki?
1025.
Which load line zone is Shimonoseki in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Shimonoseki?
Port State Control at Shimonoseki: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Shimonoseki?
The UN/LOCODE of Shimonoseki is JPSHS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Shimonoseki 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.