HarborFacilities
YOKOHAMA
HARBOR FACILITIES
The Port of Yokohama has 112 commercial deep draft berths with mooring capacities varying from 40,000 DWT (2 berths) to less than 3,000 DWT (15 berths) (Port of Yokohama Promotion Association, 1992). Additionally, there are approximately 165 privately controlled berths in the port that range in size from super-tanker berths that can accommodate 90,000 DWT tankers to several berths that are limited to less than 1,000 DWT. Figure V-198 shows the general pier configuration at the port. According to port authorities, all pier faces have built-in rubber fenders.
The facilities of primary interest to this study are the seven berths at Mizuho Wharf, as they are used only by U. S. Military ships (Figures V-198 and V-199a). Five of the berths are 623 ft (190 m) long, with apron widths of 49 ft (15 m). They can accommodate ships to 15,000 DWT. The two remaining berths are 502 ft and 512 ft (153 and 156 m) long with apron widths of 49 ft (15 m). They can accommodate ships to 8,000 DWT. Alongside depths vary from 29.5 to 32.8 ft (9 to 10 m).
The Guide to the Port of Yokohama also lists berth number 7 at Shinko Wharf (Figures V-198 and V-199b) as being used by U. S. Military ships only, but the berth was not mentioned by harbor authorities during a port visit in September 1993. Specific data on the berth are not available, but measurements taken from a harbor chart indicate the berth is approximately 525 ft (160 m) long. Available documentation indicates that all berths on Shinko Wharf have alongside depths of 27.5 to 33.5 ft (8.4 to 10.2 m).
Several anchorages for general vessels and vessels carrying dangerous cargo are available immediately adjacent to the Ports of Yokohama, Kawasaki and Negishi Bay. Anchorages are designated by the Captain of Keihin-ko. Local authorities state that the safest anchorage, and the one recommended for use by U.S. Navy ships, is Nakano Se (Shoal). It is located southeast of the port, immediately west of the northern portion of the Nakano Se Traffic Route (Figure V-198). Depths in the anchorage vary mostly from 49 to 65 ft (15 to 20 m), but are as shallow as 39 ft (12 m) near the extreme northern part of the anchorage. Holding is said to be good on a bottom of mostly mud, sand and clay. The bottom in some areas of the anchorage is composed of sand and shells.
The use of harbor pilots is generally recommended, but if tug boats are used, a pilot is often not necessary. A total of 34 tug boats are available for use at the port.
Extensive ship repair facilities exist at the port, with five dry docks, many heavy lift cranes, and other heavy duty equipment available. However, the close proximity of Fleet Activities, Yokosuka in relation to Yokohama would dictate that most dry docking, repairs and maintenance of U. S. Navy ships would be performed at Yokosuka
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/yokohama/text/sect3.htm
