Hakata/Fukuoka (JPHKT)

Hakata, also known as Fukuoka, is a natural port which is enclosed on three sides, on the fourth side is the island of Nokonoshima.

Summer.

Hakata is situated in Fukuoka prefecture, facing Hakata Bay.

Fukuoka is an alternative name for Hakata.

LOA 347m, draught 6.8m, beam 43m, 84,800DWT.

Approx 32,000,000 of cargo, 900,000TEU, 24,000 vessels and 750,000 passengers handled annually.

The quarantine anchorage is on the E side of Nokono Shima; Hatsu De, a 6.1m patch marked by a lightbuoy, lies in the centre of this anchorage. The traffic through the NE part of the anchorage is heavy. Good anchorage for small vessels can be found inside the harbour. Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in an area between the S entrance to the harbour and the entrance to Nagahama Basin.

The port is approached through Fukuoka Wan, which is entered between Genkai Shima and the NE extremity of a shoal that extends 1nm from the N end of Shika Shima. A fairway, dredged to control depth of 14.0m, leads ESE to the entrance of the inner harbour from a position 0.25nm SSW of Ha Shima. The entrance to the fairway is marked by No 1 and 2 Lightbuoys, and the fairway by No 3, No 5 and No 8 Lightbuoys approx midway along its length. Draught limitation in the channel is 14.0m. Chuo Channel is 6,630m in length, 200m, width and 12.0m depth. East Channel is 3,303m in length, 499m width and 14.0m depth.

JP1227, JP190, JP1228, JP179. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).

1025.

Not compulsory but recommended, available throughout 24 hours. Vessels entering the harbour should call Hakata Port Radio 2 hours in advance on VHF stating ETA and the pilot boarding position. Pilots boards in position 33°38.70'N 130° 18.36'E, in the quarantine anchorage.

The port limits are bounded by a line joining Goishi Hana (33°36.66'N 130° 16.39'E), the N end of Nokono Shima (33°37.49'N 130°18.39'E), and the SE end of Shika Shima.

A tower (red and white in bands), 102m in height, stands 1.15nm SE of the head of West Breakwater on the head of Hakata Pier on the N side of the mouth of Naka Kawa, it is marked by three red and four white lights. Navigation Support: 1. To ensure the safe navigation of vessels and smooth operation of port facilities, the navigation support for vessels (of 3,000GT and over) entering and departing the port, as a general rule, is as follows: *The maximum permissible wind speed for berthing and leaving berths of entering and leaving vessels shall be, in principle, 15m/s average wind speed near the berth. ..... Vessel size No. of tugboats required Requests for pilot 3,000GT and over 1 tugboat and over Should request as far as possible 10,000GT and over 2 tugboats Should request, as a general rule 2. Requests for pilots and/or tugboats can be omitted when safe navigation is secured in the following cases: (1) Pilots: When captains of such vessels have experience in navigation at the Port of Hakata and are considered to be capable of safe navigation. In addition, when a foreign captain navigates vessels, the captain shall be well-informed about Port Regulations Law and the Enforcement Regulations. (2) Tugboats: When vessels are equipped with auxiliary propellers such as thrusters and have obtained permission from a pilot, or when vessels comply with the standards for tugboat utilization established by Pilot Association. (3) Pilots and/or tugboats: When vessels on domestic liner services frequently enter and depart the Port of Hakata and the captains are considered to be capable of safe navigation.

Caution: A berth, where cargoes of liquefied petroleum gas are handled, is situated close within the S entrance. When a vessel is loading or discharging, no other vessel may approach within 50m; lightbuoys, each exhibiting a red light, mark the restricted area.

Range, max 2.4m; min -0.4m.

There are 5 tugs available ranging from 2,600-4,000hp.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly. Typhoons are a very rare occurrence in Hakata but strong NW winds which blow up suddenly may be experienced during the passage of a cold front at the time of the NW monsoon.

Berth Office: Tel: +81 92 292 3444 Fax: +81 92 292 3447 Hakata Port Radio Station: VHF: Port service communication CH11, 12 and 18. Calls and responses CH16. Tel: 81 + 92 272 0577 Fax: +81 92 272 0578

See Country information.

Vessels should send ETA 24 hours in advance and notify any change to ETA as soon as possible. Vessels entering the harbour should call Hakata Port Radio 2 hours in advance on VHF stating ETA at the pilot boarding position. Messages should be directed to the charterer's or owner's agents. Occasionally they may be sent directly to the consignee, if required, with copies direct to owners and charterers. There is no fixed format but the following items are usually included: ..... 1. Ship's name 2. Callsign 3. ETA at destination. Additionally, when the vessel is laden: 4. Name of load port 5. Departure date from load port 6. Cargo description and volume (Bill of Lading figures) 7. Name of consignees if required. All vessels entering or departing the port should report to Hakata Port Radio as follows: ..... Prior Report: Report the following details 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding position: 1. ETA at the pilot boarding position 2. Estimated time of berthing Entry Report: The following should be reported on arrival at the pilot boarding position: 1. Time of arrival at the pilot boarding position 2. Estimated time of arrival at Lightbuoys No 1 and No 2 3. Estimated time of passing the junction area 4. Estimated time of passing the breakwater (only when navigating the central channel) 5. Estimated time of berthing Departure Report: The following should be reported on departure from the berth: 1. Time of departure 2. Estimated time of passing the breakwater (only when navigating the central channel) 3. Estimated time of passing the junction area 4. Estimated time of arrival at Lightbuoys No 1 and No 2 Other Reports: The following should be reported when necessary: 1. Anchoring positions of large vessels 2. Other information required for entry and departure.

Vessels navigating in both Central and Eastern Fairways, vessels in the Eastern Fairway must keep clear of the vessels in Central Fairway. All tankers are prohibited from passing or stopping within 30m, or 50m of tankers carrying LPG or LNG.

See Country information for radio pratique. Free pratique: Vessels usually anchor 1nm E from Nokonoshima Lighthouse, where the authorities board and grant free pratique.