PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Soma
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory, but recommended. Pilots are available at position 37°53'N 140°59'E when required.
Key data
updated Aug 2022Size limits
LOA 299.9m, beam 49m, draught 12.6m, 104,939DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
HW: 1.5m
LW: 0.3m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pier 5 Terminal (Shinchi Power Station Terminal) | 12.60 m | 250 m | 3 |
| Pier 3 Terminal | — | 290 m | 2 |
| Pier 2 Terminal | 10.80 m | 197 m | 4 |
| Pier 1 Terminal | 7.20 m | 133 m | 8 |
| Haramachi Thermal Power Station Terminal | — | 240 m | 2 |
| JAPEX LNG Terminal | — | 300 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 Aug 2022Approach
The N Fairway is entered between the N head off the Offing Breakwater and the N Breakwater. The S Fairway leads E to Matsukawaura Ko S Breakwater and E of Soma S Breakwater and W of the S end of the Offing Breakwater. Draught limitation in the S Channel Entrance is 7.5m and in the N Channel Entrance 14.0m.
Port limits
The approximate limits extend 2.0nm seaward from Unoo Saki and a position on the coast 3.0nm NW.
Restrictions
Berthing and unberthing is not permitted after sunset.
Tugs
There are 2 x 3,600hp tugs available.
Charts and publications
JP 1008. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
See Country information for radio pratique.
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 Aug 2022Repairs
Minor repairs can be undertaken.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from the quayside at a rate of 30tph.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Soma General Hospital (5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Fukushima Airport (84km).
Working hours
Normally, 0830-1630hrs weekdays; may be extended when required. Sunday working available.
About Soma
updated Sep 2023Where it is
Soma is situated on the E coast of northern Honshu in Fukushima Prefecture.
The port
Soma is a commercial and industrial port, and a distribution centre for the local area. Following the tsunami in Mar 2011 the port has re-opened the Pier 5 coal berth for imports (Feb 2012).
Traffic
Approx 4,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Soma
What are the pilot arrangements at Soma?
Not compulsory, but recommended.
What time zone is Soma in?
Local time at Soma is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Soma?
The deepest berth listed is at Pier 5 Terminal (Shinchi Power Station Terminal): 12.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Soma?
1025.
Which load line zone is Soma in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Soma?
Port State Control at Soma: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Soma?
The UN/LOCODE of Soma is JPSMA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Soma 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.