Shinmoji

Size limits

LOA 222.5m, beam 29.6m, draught 7.1m, 13,608DWT/

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean Spring Range approx 3.0m, 5nm NNE at Aohama. Mean Neap Rang approx 1.2m.

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

Approach

Shinmoji is approached from the Suido No 2 Safe Water Light Buoy (33°55.6'N 131°04.9'E), approximately 5.5nm NE of the port entrance, through a channel marked by two sets of port and starboard hand buoys, leading SW across the coastal bank and entered between breakwater heads.

The main entrance channel between the Shinmoji Vehicle Distribution Centre Wharf area and the wharf area to the South is 595m wide and is marked by two port hand lateral markers (green). There is a breakwater pier to the S of the outer entrance, 1,300m length, the end of which is marked by a tower and flashing green light, 17m in height and visible from 7nm out to sea. To the N of the harbour entrance there is another breakwater and pier, approx 250m length marked by a flashing red light, 13m in height and visible from 7nm. The distance between these is approx 700m wide.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel Traffic Service: A reporting line from Kanmon Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service is located across the Entrance Channel. The approaches are included in the Kanmon Kaikyo Radar Service Area.

Kanmon Kaikyo and adjacent waters are covered by Kanmon Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service (33°53.83'N 130°55.14'E) from a Control Centre located on the S side of Kanmon Kaikyo. Full radar surveillance operates providing traffic information and control for vessels entering, leaving or navigating within Kanmon Kaikyo and adjacent waters.

Kanmon Kaikyo Traffic Advisory Service provides information for traffic entering and leaving or navigating within the Kanmon Kaikuo area and its approaches. (On crossing the first Reporting Line, all reports should contain the vessel's name and time of crossing the reporting line with its abbreviation code. If leaving a berth, the report should contain the vessel's name, the time of leaving the berth and number of the berth).

Anchorages

Vesssels carrying dangerous cargoes are not allowed to anchor within the port area.

Kanmon Ko Eastern Anchorage: A Quarantine anchorage is located on the SW side of the E approach to Kanmon Kaikyo, SE of He Saki (33°57.58'N 131°01.41'E), Depths are usually more than 12.0m but less than 10.0m in the SW portion of the area. There is a dangerous wreck in the NE corner of area (33°57.48'N 131°01.93'E), The anchorage becomes very busy when used as shelter during Typhoons.

Restrictions

Controlling Depth: The central fairway of the Entrance Channel has a least depth of 7.2m, with a depth of less than 7.0m closer inside the channel margins.

Airport Runway: The Northern end of the new Kitakyushu Airport (built on an island) is located 1.6nm from the harbour entrance. Vessels should be aware of low flying aircraft in the vicinity.

Bridge: A bridge, with a vertical clearance of 19.0m, spans the entrance channel connecting Kitakyushu Airport with the mainland. Lights mark the channel under the bridge.

Overhead Power Cable: Spans the main harbour, with a vertical clearance of 49m.

Charts and publications

JP1101, JP179. Japanese Chart W1238. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore and by barge.

Bunkering: Available by barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

JR Kyushu Hospital, 7.0km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kitakyushu Airport located at Fukuoka, 21.3km.

Airport facilities: Passenger and air freight facilities available.

Where it is

Shinmoji is situated South of the East entrance to Kanmon Kaikyo.

The port

Shinmoji is part of the Kitakyushu port complex. The port is one of the largest ferry terminal on both North and South side of the port area. Other than that liquid, general cargo and Ro-Ro / PCC activities also involve in this port.

Traffic

Approximate 40,000,000t of cargo, 1,500TEU, 2,000 vessels and 980,000 passengers (Kokura & Shinmoji merged passengers figure) handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Shinmoji?

KANMON TRAFFIC ROUTE: Inland Sea: Seto Naikai Pilots serve vessels entering the Inland Sea through Kanmon Kaikyo or through Bungo Suido.

What time zone is Shinmoji in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Shinmoji?

The deepest berth listed is at Ocean Toukyu Ferry Terminal: 7.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Shinmoji?

1025.

Which load line zone is Shinmoji in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Shinmoji?

Port State Control at Shinmoji: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Shinmoji?

The UN/LOCODE of Shinmoji is JPSMJ.

What crews who called at Shinmoji 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.

Read and add tips for Shinmoji →