Yeosu

1. Yeosu Pilot Boarding Station No. 1 Pilot boards34°41.1′N 127°56.9′E
2. Yeosu Pilot Boarding Station No. 3 Pilot boards34°44.5′N 127°49.5′E
3. 여수‧광양항 제2도선구역 (하선구역) Pilot boards34°42.3′N 127°51.5′E

Size limits

LOA 340m, beam 60.0m, draught 20.5m, 322,861DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Max tidal range of 3.8m, mean spring range 3.3m, mean neap range 2.4m.

Tidal currents are negligible in N harbour. In Yosu Strait (approach to S harbour), tidal currents at times reach a velocity of 4kts during ebb tide and 2.6kts during flood tide. In the southern part of Yosu Bay, flood current generally sets to the N and ebbs to the S, with a velocity of about 1kt. Slack water occurs about 0.5 to 1 hour after HW and LW.

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

Approach

Hazards: Pinnacle rocks may exist outside the Safety Fairways and other dredged channels.

Approaches: Vessels arriving at the port enter a Designated Area, 2.75nm SW of the island of Baekseo from which position the deep water channel leads through Yeosu Haeman to the port area, commencing on a N heading to a position 1nm S of Daedo Light when the track continues mainly NW, passing:

0.75nm SW from Daedo Light, then:

To pilot station No 2 (draught over 13.0m), positioned 1.25nm W of Daedo Light, then:

NE of an isolated danger lightbuoy (Racon), then:

SW of the SW extremity of Namhae Do, then:

To pilot station No 1 (draught less than 13.0m) positioned 0.6nm SW from P'yongsan Light (white round concrete tower, 8m in height) (34°44.8'N 127°50.4'E) exhibited on the SW point of a wooded headland.

Vessels which are inbound or outbound to Gwangyang Port are required to leave Buoy No 13 on their port side.

Caution: Kanyo Gan the outermost danger in the southern approach to Yosu Bay, is situated approx 8nm S-SW'ly of Sori-Do Light, and about the same distance SW'ly of Chaek-Do. Chaek-Do islet, 106m high, lies about 5nm E of the southern extremity of Sori-Do. Islets and rocks lie off the NE coast of Kump-Do at a distance of approx 1.7nm. The outermost of these dangers is a group of rocks 21.9m high. Yang-Am, a rock that rises 2.7m at low tide, is located approx 1.6nm NW of U-Am and 926m E of Odong-Do, the island at the entrance of Yosu Bay

The following hazards exist if the approach to Yosu is made from the SW:

Sejong-Do and Kal-Do lie respectively approx 10nm and 16nm NE of Chark-Do. Sejong-Do (34°30'N 128°05'E), is a small islet 75m high, lies about 10nm SW of Yokchi-Do. Two large caves perforate its base, and from NE its summit appears double-pointed. Kal-Do, lying 3.5nm SW of the south western extremity of Yokch-do, is 1,853m long NE to SW and is 26m high. A detached 5.4m deep reef lies about 1.5nm W of the north western extremity of Kal-Do. Kudol-Do, a rock 22.8m high, lies 4.9nm W of northeastern side of Kump-do and 3.5nm apart.

Obstructions: A conical concrete tower with a ball on top, painted in red and black horizontal bands, stands on Yang-Am.

Yosu Port: The harbour is protected by the breakwater joining Odong Do to the shore SW and by a breakwater extending 0.3nm NNE from the NW point of the island, a lightbuoy is moored close off the breakwater head. Another breakwater, detached, extends E from the shore approx 1nm NW of Odong Do light, then SE and ESE. A light (red round concrete tower, 8.0m in height, 34°44.9'N 127°45.8'E) is exhibited from the breakwater head.

Another "L" shaped detached breakwater lies a short distance from the quayage in the W part of the harbour. Light beacons stand at the N and S ends of this breakwater.

The controlling factor in approaching Pier No 3 through N harbour channel is the shallow depth of about 7.3m. The S harbour entrance channel has a depth exceeding 12.0m, but gradually decreases towards the centre of the harbour.

Obstructions: A conical concrete tower with a ball atop, painted in red and black horizontal bands, stands on Yang-Am.

A sunken rock, marked by a spherical lightbuoy, painted in red with a blue horizontal band, and with a minimum depth of 3.6m, lies NW of the outer end of Pier No 2.

A 3.9m shoal patch is located 463m N of the NE end of Changgun-Do (south harbour).

An overhead cable with a vertical clearance of 44.8m above water extends about 450m in a W/NW'ly direction from Changgun-Do to the mainland.

Port limits

The limit of the N harbour is defined by a line extending from the NE side of Odong-Do NW to the shore. The limit of the S harbour is defined by a line extending from the SE side of Odong-Do W/NW to Tolsan-Do, and across the passage S of Changgun-Do.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels must maintain a continuous watch on VHF Ch 12 (No 1 Area), or 06 (No 2 Area), (N of Gwangyang Buoy No 1).

Note: Tankers should also report to the Port Control Centre in the vicinity of Sejondo Light (34°29.7'N 128°05.2'E) and Jakdo Is (34°24.8'N 127°54.3'E).

Anchorages

Gwangyang: Anchorage Berths in Gwangyang Port:

Nos 1 to 6 lie NW of Nakpo Gap (34°51.3'N 127°46.7'E), 5,000-50,000GT.

Berth Nos 7 to 9 lie in the E part of Myodo Sudo, 1,000GT,

Berth Nos 10 and 11 lie in the W part, 3,000GT.

Berth Nos 12 to 14, 5,000GT.

Restrictions

Berthing: There is no berthing/unberthing in Yeosu port at night.

Gwangyang: LPG and vessels over 30,000GT berth daylight only, LPG also require HW. Unberthing 24 hours under 12.0m draught.

Speed: N of pilot station No 1, the track enters Yeosu Haeman and continues NNW in a buoyed channel in which vessels are not permitted to exceed 12kts.

Charts and publications

DMA 95143. SD 157. Korean Chart W251, W256. BA 127, 3391. Admiralty Pilot NP43, NP286(6).

Communications

VHF: Yeosu Port Control: Ch 16, 12, 20, 22.

Yeosu Pilots: Ch 08, 13. Tel: +82 61 662 3383. Fax: +82 61 665 0202

Vessel Traffic Service; Ch 10, 12, 67.

Health

Quarantine Authorities must be informed by an agent of a vessel's ETA 24 hours before arrival. A Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report should be completed, see Country Information.

Free pratique is automatic if from another Korean port. Vessels usually have to anchor in the Yeosu quarantine anchorage before proceeding to berths in Gwangyang.

Radio pratique is available through the vessel's agent.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificate issued.

Customs and immigration

Normal working hours 0900-1800hrs weekdays and 0900-1300hrs Saturday. Clearance for vessels, arrival and departure may be affected out of the above hours, as far as possible, provided for these being made during the above office hours. Customs and Immigration police officials go onboard the vessel at anchorage or at berth, some of the recognised regular documents can be provided at vessels arrival and departure without port officials boarding.

Notices and regulations

Vessels carrying dangerous goods, tug boats more than 200m in tow length and deep draught vessels are required to inform the Port Authority of the ship's name, GT and the time of entering the designated area 1 to 2 hours in advance.

Shore leave: Can be arranged through agent, shore passes are necessary for foreigners.

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

Yeosu: Minor repairs available.

Gwangyang: Most repairs available.

Dry docks

Yeosu: Several shipyards are available including graving docks for repairs, plus 3 floating drydocks of 100m to 140m length.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited suppliers available. Available via barge with 38 hours advance notice.

Stores: Local chandler can deliver alongside by truck.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Yeosu Jeonnam Hospital.

Crew change

Crew change and repatriation can be arranged.

Transport

Nearest airport: Yeosu Airport (RSU).

Nearest railway: Yeocheon.

Working hours

Yeosu: Throughout 24 hours.

Gwangyang: Bulk terminals throughout 24 hours. All six container terminals also operate throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Yeosu (also known as Yosu) is situated on the S coast of South Korea, approx 167km SW of Busan.

The port

Yeosu Port is administered by the Yeosu Reginal Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office and consists of the ports of Yeosu and Gwangyang.

Yeosu Port consists of a north and south harbour. The North harbour (new port) lies at the southern end of Yeosu Bay. The South harbour (old port) lies in the narrow passage between the North harbour and Dolsan-Do. Deep water berths are concentrated in the North harbour. Mostly fishing and coastal vessels use the South harbour. There is also an oil tanker terminal.

The port is a centre for passenger and cargo connecting scattered islands and main land and supporting neighbouring port of Gwangyang.

Gwangyang is situated 5nm up the Gwangyang Ha River from Yeosu. A deep water port with terminals at Yeochun, Yeosu, Gwangyang and Hadong capable of accommodating oil tankers up to 320,000DWT and bulk carriers of 300,000DWT, LPG and LNG carriers.

Gwangyang port boasts unprecedented container terminal growth and is set to become the country's second main port after Busan. The Container Terminal currently has 20 berths, with further growth expected, by which time 29 new berths will be added, when capacity is expected to be 4,820,000TEU.

The principal exports are cereals, apples and cocoons, imports are, general cargo, containers, cement, oil and coal.

Traffic

Approx 267,000,000t of cargo and 1,900,000TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Yeosu?

The pilot boards at Yeosu Pilot Boarding Station No. 1, 34°41.1′N 127°56.9′E. Yeosu has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Yeosu in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Yeosu?

The deepest berth listed is at GS Caltex Crude Oil Terminal: 20.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Yeosu?

1025.

Which load line zone is Yeosu in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Yeosu?

Port State Control at Yeosu: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Yeosu?

The UN/LOCODE of Yeosu is KRYOS.

What crews who called at Yeosu 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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