Port of Hakata

The controlling depth at Hakata is 12 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.

As a very large-sized facility, Hakata serves ultra-large container ships (ULCS), VLCC tankers, capesize bulkers, and the largest classes of ro-ro vessels. It offers deep-water berths, gantry cranes for container handling, and full-service cargo terminals. Vessel operators should contact the port authority for specific berth availability and cargo handling capabilities.

The approach to Hakata is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Hakata Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse at 1.1 NM to the ESE. Other aids include Hakata Kō East Breakwater (1.3 NM ESE), Hakata Kō South Breakwater (1.4 NM SE), Nokono Shima (2.9 NM WNW), Shikanoshima (Shike Shima) West Breakwater (3.3 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Hakata is located within the Japan / Korea shipping lane — a busy shipping corridor linking the major ports of Japan and South Korea. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.

You can track vessels near Hakata (JPHTD) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for JPHTD on the live map.

The Port of Hakata operates in the UTC+9 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.