MuroranHarbor
MURORAN
MURORAN HARBOR
Muroran harbor is divided into three main sections: two inner divisions (Sections 1 and 2) and an outer division (Section 3). See Figure V-134. Section 3, where U. S. Navy ships will likely moor, is entered from the west via the main channel which leads through a 570 yd (521 m) opening between the outer breakwaters. Access to the inner harbors is gained through a 315 yd (288 m) wide opening between two breakwaters located about 1.35 nmi east of the outer harbor entrance. As of November 1992, a large suspension bridge was under construction across the harbor at the approximate location of the inner breakwaters. When completed, the bridge towers will be 459 ft (140 m) high and the bridge deck will have a 197 ft (60 m) vertical clearance.
The outer harbor, Section 3, is of primary interest to U. S. Navy ships. Sakimori berths 1 and 2, just east of the northernmost outer breakwater, have been assigned to and used by U. S. Navy ships during the two most recent visits (as of November 1992). Discussions with harbor personnel indicate that the same berths would likely be assigned during future visits. The same harbor personnel state that the berths are in good repair, and rubber fenders are attached to the face of the pier. A ship visiting the port in 1987 reported that neither steam nor electricity was available at the pier. Most of the piers in Muroran harbor are privately owned and not available for use by transient U. S. Navy ships.
The harbor channel is dredged to a depth of 54 ft (16.5 m) from the outer harbor entrance through Section 2 of the inner harbor. Water depths outside the channel are generally 33 to 49 ft (10 to 15 m) in the north part of the outer harbor and vary from 56 ft (17 m) to less than 10 m (33 ft) south of the channel. Inner harbor depths vary from 43 to 49 ft (13 to 15 m) near the channel to less than 20 ft (6 m) near many of the piers.
Tides at the port aren't significant since, according to DMA Chart 96949, the level of the spring rise is only 1.3 ft (0.4 m) above mean sea level.
According to local harbor personnel, Muroran is regarded by merchant seamen to be "the best port in Hokkaido." It is a heavy industrial port, with an ironworks, a petroleum refinery, and other similar enterprises bordering the harbor. The port has the related necessary equipment and machinery associated with such use, including several heavy-lift cranes, both mobile and fixed. The Hakodate dock company has a dry dock with a reported capacity of 28,000 DWT on the south side of inner harbor Section 2. Narasaki Shipbuilding Company has facilities to repair small vessels.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/muroran/text/sect2.htm
