Ulsan

1. Ulsan boarding position No. 1 Pilot boards35°22.6′N 129°26.0′E
2. Ulsan boarding position No. 2 Pilot boards35°22.0′N 129°27.5′E
3. Ulsan boarding position No. 3 Pilot boards35°20.9′N 129°28.0′E
4. 울산항 제1승선구역 (제1도선점) Pilot boards35°21.2′N 129°25.5′E
5. 울산항 제3승선구역 (제3도선점) Pilot boards35°19.1′N 129°28.5′E
6. 울산항(본항, 온산항) 하선구역 기준점 Pilot boards35°24.3′N 129°25.2′E
7. 울산항(신항 남항) 하선구역 기준점 Pilot boards35°22.7′N 129°24.0′E

Size limits

Habour: Max LOA 360m, draught 16.5m, beam 68.0m, 324,690DWT

Offshore: Max draught 24.5m, 325,000DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.6m.

Tidal streams: There is usually a weak ingoing stream but, after heavy rain, this is offset by the flow from the River T'aehwa Gang, which flows into the N part of Ulsan Hang.

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

Approach

Ulsan Harbour is approached from the SE and entered through a narrow channel leading between Nakkot (35°25.0'N 129°22.0'E) and Hawaan Ch'u, 4.5nm NNE.

The entrance to the port is 1.9nm in length, 200m wide, with depths of 12.0m.

Fariway No I and II. There is a least charted depth of 11.7m at the junction (35°29.8'N 129°23.5'E) of Fairway I with Fairway II.

Fairway II has a least charted depth of 16.7m, which leads to Onsan Harbour, but depths alongside the berths within Onsan Harbour are less, varying from 5.7-13.8m.

Fairway No 1 leads N from Ulsan Man between Sin Po, 35°28.0'N 129°23.0'E and a detached breakwater 1nm SE. The channel is marked by numbered lightbuoys in accordance with the IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region "B").

It has been reported that depths in the Fairway No 1, N of the entrance had become shallower than charted due to the inflow of material from landslides.

The harbour consists of two large basins. A detached breakwater protects the outer basin, which is located at position 35°29.0'N 129°24.0'E. The E shore of this part of the basin is occupied by Hyundai Ship Repair Yard. The drydocks (35°30.0'N 129°24.0'E), indicate the E side of the entrance to the inner harbour.

The inner basin is located at position 35°31.0'N 129°23.0'E and is protected from the flow of T'aehwa Gang by a breakwater on the N side. The W side of the entrance is marked by the head of a breakwater, which extends 20m from the shore with a light exhibited from a concrete column on the head.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained in Ulsan Man, easy to enter and one the best anchorage areas on the E coast of Korea.

The limits of the anchorages and their designation are shown below, with positions relative to Hwaam Ch'u (35°28.0'N 129°24.0'E):

E1 (1nm SSE): For vessels of 10,000t or less. The N limit of this anchorage is fringed by a rocky spit extending 0.3nm S from Hwaam Ch'u and Kunch'I Am; a lightbuoy (S cardinal) is moored close S of a 9.4m patch, WSW of the rocky spit.

E2 (2.3nm SSE): For vessels between 10,000t and 30,000t.

E3 (3.8nm SSE): For vessels of 30,000t or over.

These anchorages are exposed to NE winds and during S winds a heavy swell may occur. Vessels invariably lie heading SW due to the strong NE-going current which overcomes any tidal influence.

Quarantine Anchorages: Lie 3nm, 2nm and 1nm SSE of Hwaam Chu, they are exposed from the N through E to S.

Prohibited anchorage: Established, radius 500m, around the obstruction in position 35°25.9'N 129°25.9'E.

Restrictions

Vertical Clearance: A power cable with a vertical clearance of 60m crosses the N part of Fairway No 1 from Wharf No 7 to the S end of the Automobile wharf.

Berthing is available for the following:

SBM's: During daylight only, but vessels may unberth at any time. Navigation is restricted within 400m of the buoys and anchoring is not permitted less than 1nm from them.

Ulsan Harbour: Night berthing is not possible at many of the berths depending on the size of the vessel. Unberthing is available 24 hours.

Onsan Harbour: During daylight only at the oil tanker berths; unberthing is available 24 hours only for vessels under 10,000DWT.

Tugs

There are 30 tugs available throughout 24 hours. (7 x 1,300 - 2,000hp; 11 x 2,000 - 3,000hp; 12 x 3,000hp)

Charts and publications

BA 896, 898, 3666, Korean Charts No 119, 119A and 145, Admiralty Pilot NP43, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station and, when within VHF range, at least 2 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port & VTS: Ch 16, 14, 10, 11 12, 68.

Tel: +82 52 228 5573, Fax: +82 52 228 5579.

Pilot: Ch 13. Tel: +82 52 261 7703, Fax: +82 52 266 4256.

Health

Radio pratique is not granted.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate can be issued.

Notices and regulations

A designated area covering the approaches to Ulsan Port is for large vessels carrying dangerous cargoes and tugs with a length of tow of 200m or more.

Ulsan Vessel Traffic Service should be informed 12 hours before arrival, giving an ETA for entry into the designated area and details of the vessel.

Navigation, fishing and anchoring is restricted within 400m of the five SBM's, moored E and SSE of Onsan Hung, and in the areas 50m either side of the submarine pipelines leading from the SBM's to the shore.

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

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Water: Available by barge.

Bunkering: Available, by barge, with prior arrangement from Busan.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Medical supplies are available. Serious medical cases must go to Busan.

Transport

Nearest international airport: Busan Gimhae International Airport, approx 55km SW from Ulsan.

Nearest airport: Ulsan, 15km, provides daily flights to Japan.

Nearest railway: Ulsan railway lies in Peagyangsa.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1800hrs.

Where it is

Ulsan is situated on the SE tip of South Korea, 28n.m. NE of Busan.

The port

Ulsan is one of South Korea's major ports and includes the port areas of Onsan and Mipo. It has berthing capacity for 96 ocean going vessels alongside in Ulsan, handling a large amount of crude, petroleum products, containers, automobiles, chemicals and importing raw materials for the Onsan and Ulsan industrial complexes. Manufactured products are exported.

The port continues to expand with the building of new facilities to handle the increasing volumes of cargo.

There is a large Hyundai shipbuilding yard at Mipo, close N of the harbour.

Traffic

Approx 197,000,000t of cargo, 373,000TEU and 24,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ulsan?

The pilot boards at Ulsan boarding position No. 1, 35°22.6′N 129°26.0′E. Ulsan has 7 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Ulsan in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Ulsan?

The deepest berth listed is at KNOC: 24.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ulsan?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ulsan in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ulsan?

Port State Control at Ulsan: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ulsan?

The UN/LOCODE of Ulsan is KRUSN.

What crews who called at Ulsan 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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