Otaru (JPOTR)

The port, sheltered on three sides by land and protected by 3,556m of breakwaters, has recently been dredged to 13m, enabling it to accommodate Panamax-size grain vessels. It offers safe anchorages with calm waters up to 15m deep and regular ferry services to Niigata, Tsuruga, and Maizuru. Additionally, the port serves as a quarantine center for plants and animals, facilitating the import of agricultural and farm stock products. Key imports include corn, soybeans, wheat, logs, marine products, timber, and farm stock, while exports consist of packing materials, cars, and heavy machinery.

Summer zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length. Winter Dec 1 to Feb 28/29, Summer Mar 1 to Nov 30.

Otaru is a natural harbour located on the centre W coast of Hokkaido, Japan's North island.

LOA 323.59m, beam 37.5m, draught 12.4m, 82,448DWT.

Approx 11,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Quarantine anchorage: Located 0.5nm to the S of N Sab breakwater lighthouse (43° 11.51'N 141°01.48'E), depth 10.0-15.0m. Section 1 (inside): Between N breakwater and Otaru Fairway, depth 10.0-20.0m. Section 2 (inside): Between S breakwater and Otaru Fairway, depth 10.0-13.0m. Inner anchorage: Anchorage can be obtained within the breakwater in depths of 9.0-13.0m, mud and sand, not very good holding ground. The N part of the inner harbour is preferable as some rock patches lie in the S part.

The draught limitation in the channel is 14.0m. Depth inside the breakwater is 3.6-17.0m, depth in Otaru Fairway is 10.0-17.0m. Direction: From NW, after rounding Takashima Misaki (43°12.2'N 141°01.02'E) at a distance of not less than 0.7nm, the recommended approach leads towards Hiraiso Misaki. The fairway through the harbour entrance (43°11.8'N 141°01.7'E) leads WNW between breakwaters and is marked on each side by a light, 14m in height. At night these lights are not easily distinguished from those of the city behind.

JP18041, JP28. Admiralty Pilot NP41, NP286(6).

1025.

Not compulsory. Pilots board 0.8nm NE of the harbour entrance or closer during bad weather. Vessels should wait at the quarantine anchorage for the pilot boat. Pilots operate as follows: ..... Entry 0600hrs to one hour after sunset Sailing Throughout 24 hours

A light has been established at the head of the N auxiliary breakwater.

Range max 0.42m; min 0.10m.

There are 2 tugs available of 2,600hp each.

Light SW'ly winds in summer, strong NW monsoon during winter. Snow falls between Dec-Mar occasionally accompanied by gale force winds. The sea is generally rough from Nov-Mar but calm from Apr-Oct. On the occasions of strong winds lasting 4 or 5 hours, swells may penetrate the inner harbour.

OTARU, HOKKAIDO 43°11.94'N 141°01.42'E UNCTAD LOCODE: JP OTR For details see: RUMOI PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 43/23 Japan Coast Guard Publication 304/20, (RSDRA2020000184797), 43/23

VHF: Call "Otaru-Ho-An" on Ch 16, 12.

The port carries out procedures for customs clearing and immigration control.

See Country information.

See Country information.

Vessels not equipped with spark guards on their funnels, vessels using naked flame or with inadequate fire fighting equipment, are prohibited from approaching within 30m of the installations handling petroleum products and LPG vessels berthed in the port area.

See Country information for radio pratique. Free pratique: Formalities will be carried out at the quarantine anchorage, a circle of radius 700m directed 9° x 1,040m from North Breakwater Lighthouse.