Port of Karatsu

JPKAR🇯🇵Japan

Port Location

Port Arrivals & Departures

Vessel Traffic

Port of Karatsu JPKAR

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About Port of Karatsu

Karatsu is a sheltered harbor on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Historically significant as a trading port, it serves regional needs.

Background
Karatsu is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese word roots 唐 kara, and 津 tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as an ancient trading port between Japan with China and Korea. As of 1 June 2024, the city had an estimated population of 114,695 in 51375 households, and a population density of 200 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 487.60 km2 (188.26 sq mi). The same Chinese characters are used in the name of the city (唐津市) as for the city of Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
6ft
Tidal Range
2ft

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
No
Tug Assistance
No
Drydock
Unknown
Repair Code
C

History

Established
2005

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
JPKAR
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Time Zone
UTC+9

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal natural
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
JP-41
Latitude
33.4833°
Longitude
129.9667°

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
62420 →
Wikidata
Q738275 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.city.karatsu.lg.jp →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Karatsu?

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The approach to Karatsu is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Karatsu Lighthouse at 0.2 NM to the W. Other aids include Karatsu Breakwater East Head (0.3 NM WNW), Karatsu Breakwater West Head (0.6 NM WNW), Karatsu East Harbor East Breakwater (0.8 NM S), Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater (0.9 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Karatsu?

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The Port of Karatsu 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.

How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Karatsu?

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You can track vessels near Karatsu (JPKAR) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course.

Where is the Port of Karatsu?

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The Port of Karatsu is a port in JP. Its UN/LOCODE is JPKAR — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

What does the UN/LOCODE JPKAR mean?

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The first two characters, JP, are the ISO country code for JP. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Karatsu?

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The Port of Karatsu 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.