Abu Dhabi

Size limits

LOA 337m, draught 12.80m, Beam 62.80m, 101,648DWT.

Water density

1025/1030.

Load line zone

Tropical but the Arabian Sea east of the Straits of Hormuz is Seasonal Tropical from 1st September to 31st May and Summer from 1st June to 31st August.

Tides

Tides are semi-diurnal. Max range is 2.0m, min 0.1m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Abu Dhabi Terminals channel has a width of 225m, a dredged depth of 15.0m and is marked in accordance with the IALA "A" System. The maximum permitted speed in the approaches is 12.0 knots.

Fairway Buoy: Located in position 24°34.1'N 054°19.8'E.

The channel leads from the Fairway Lightbuoy past the W breakwater head, where it widens to 460m, to a turning basin abeam the quays. The harbour is dredged to a depth of 15.0m.

All vessels should maintain an Under Keel Clearance of at least 1.0m when navigating within the port. The Harbour Master may require more UKC than this, depending on weather conditions and other circumstances.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A traffic reporting system and AIS station is in operation within the port and main access channels.

Anchorages

The depth at the anchorage area ranges between 15.0 and 25.0m.

Restrictions

Vessels are restricted to a max LOA of 230m in the channel. Vessels of more than LOA 230m by prior arrangement.

An isolated danger pillar buoy in position 0.7nm NE of the port marks a 5.0m shoal.

Sheikh Khalifa Bridge: Saadiyat Bridge is a critical infrastructure constructed over khawr Al Boghal between the Saadiyat Island and the Abu Dhabi City with total length of 1,455m. The width of the central span is 200m with clear provision to serve the navigational channel with different clearances underneath where the maximum physical clearance is considered to be under the centre point of the central span. With immediate effect, an air draught restriction of maximum 22m above MHW within 40m on either side of the centreline of the central span will be enforced.

All vessels planning to pass under the bridge must declare their air draught in advance to Mina Zayed VTS.

Vessels with air draught exceeding 22m are not allowed to pass under this Bridge.

Tugs

Four tugs available: 2 x 4,500hp, 1 x 3,000hp, and 1 x 2,000hp. Tugs are fitted with fire fighting equipment.

Mooring

The Master should ensure that the vessel is provided with sufficient fenders to adequately protect the vessel and port premises when berthing and unberthing.

When berthed at or while alongside any quay the Master should at all times keep the vessel properly and effectively moored to the satisfaction of the Harbour Master. The moorings must be kept taut and adjusted from time to time to allow for the change in draught and rise and fall of the tide. The moorings must also be so arranged that they can be quickly and easily released.

During berthing and unberthing engines should not be used in such a manner as to cause damage to the bed or banks of the harbour or to another vessel.

Only the special equipment installed at the berth, such as bollards or rings may be used for mooring.

Mooring men are compulsory for the handling of mooring lines.

The knots of the heaving lines shall not be loaded in such a manner as may cause injury to the mooring men or third parties.

Charts and publications

BA 3715, 3713, 3177, 8106. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

Communications

Communication details for Abu Dhabi harbour areas (Mina Zayid, Free Port and Municipality port) and adjoining areas including Musaffah Port and Umm Al-Nar terminals (see also separate P&T Guide entries).

Port Control Tower is equipped with HF transceiver and operates on 2 frequencies with continuous watch on 2182kHz.

Notice of readiness

NOR tendered as per Charter Party.

Documents

Five copies of the Cargo Manifest are required with full cargo particulars, such as Bill of Lading number, marks/numbers, description, weight and measurements and IMO Class if any. It is essential that all this information is against consignee/notify parties name and that full contact address is given on the Manifest for each consignment. The Manifests should reach the agent prior to arrival of vessel in order that they are submitted to Abu Dhabi Terminals 48 hours prior to vessel's arrival.

Also, stowage particulars must be submitted with the Manifest in order that the agent may advise Abu Dhabi Terminals of equipment and labour requirements for efficient handling of the vessel.

Health

All crew members must be in possession of valid Yellow Fever Certificates. The Health Officer will board when the vessel is alongside. The Maritime Health Declaration is to be completed and handed to the Health Officer. No Ship Sanitation Control facilities are available.

Customs and immigration

Shore leave is permitted for crew members provided passport, identification card or seaman's papers are deposited with Immigration Authorities.

On arrival the Customs will seal the bonded stores. Alcohol and pornographic tapes and literature are prohibited.

Clearances are to be obtained by the vessel's agent.

Notices and regulations

Scrubbers:

In 2013 Abu Dhabi Authorities issued “Vessel Discharge and Maintenance Guidelines For Owners, Masters And Agents”. This states that scrubber washwater can be discharged in port waters if free from pollutants whilst scrubber sludge should be discharged from the vessel to an Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) licensed waste disposal contractor.

Arms and Ammunition:

A detailed list should be carried onboard and be submitted to the port not later than 48 hours before vessel's arrival.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior, Central Operation Department.

Address: PO Box 398, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Tel: +971 2 441 5288

Fax: +971 2 441 5266

Mob: +971 50 667 8700

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available, by arrangement thought agent.

Dry docks

Available nearby.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths or by barge. Advise agent of quantity required 24 hours prior to arrival.

Bunkering: Diesel oil and gas oil is available by barges. A fuel oil facility is available on some berths through direct pipeline.

Stores: Available by arrangement with agent.

Medical

National Medical Centre (Zayed): Tel +971 (0) 2 6332255.

Khalifa Hospital: Tel: +971 (0) 2 6102000.

Hospital Al Noor Mohammed Bin Zayad City: Tel +971 (0) 2 6265265.

Crew change

Offshore crew change facilities can be arranged through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Abu Dhabi International Airport, 30km; Dubai International Airport, 50km.

Airport facilities: Airfreight and crew change facilities available.

Working hours

Normally Sat-Thu. First shift 0700-1400hrs; second shift 1400-2100hrs. Overtime is available on request. Cargo is also handled on Fridays.

Mina Zayad cargo operations works throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Where it is

Abu Dhabi Port also known as Mina Zayed is located centrally on the Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates.

The port

Abu Dhabi (Mina Zayed) Port comprises is located in a sheltered deep harbour, handling deep water vessels, mostly container, general cargo and passenger vessels.

Management and operations changes: The concession for the management and operations at Zayed Port has been returned by Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT) to the port authority, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC). After moving all its container traffic to the deep water Khalifa Port, following substantial growth Ro-Ro business, ADPC's Ro-Ro operations for trucks and cars will also transfer to Khalifa Port from 2015. Cruise vessel facilities at Abu Dhabi port are being updated to take more visitors.

A smaller port facility is located at Mussaffah (see separate port entry) approx 10.00nm to the SE. This area mainly caters for port service industries, offshore supply services and smaller vessels.

Traffic

Approx 8,600,000t of cargo, 760,000TEU, 800 vessels and 230,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Abu Dhabi?

The pilot boarding arrangements will be confirmed by Mina Zayed Port Control on VHF Channel 16 and 67.

What time zone is Abu Dhabi in?

Local time at Abu Dhabi is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Abu Dhabi?

The deepest berth listed is at Abu Dhabi Main Port Area: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Abu Dhabi?

1025/1030.

Which load line zone is Abu Dhabi in?

Tropical but the Arabian Sea east of the Straits of Hormuz is Seasonal Tropical from 1st September to 31st May and Summer from 1st June to 31st August.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Abu Dhabi?

The UN/LOCODE of Abu Dhabi is AEAUH.

What crews who called at Abu Dhabi say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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