Port of Soma

The controlling depth at Soma is 7.5 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 large-sized facility, Soma serves container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, and ro-ro vessels. It typically offers multiple berths, container handling gantry cranes, and comprehensive cargo services. Vessel operators should contact the port authority for specific berth availability and cargo handling capabilities.

The approach to Soma is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Sōma Kō Matsukawa South Breakwater Lighthouse at 0.7 NM to the ENE. Other aids include Sōma Kō South Breakwater (0.7 NM NNE), Sōma Kō Detached Breakwater (0.8 NM NE), Uno O Saki (1.3 NM ESE), Sōma Kō North Breakwater (1.6 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Soma 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 Soma (JPSOM) 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 JPSOM on the live map.

The Port of Soma 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.