PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ambon
Pilot
updated May 2010- Ambon Roads pilot boarding Pilot boards03°41.6′S 128°09.2′E
Compulsory for vessels over 88GT. Request for pilot can be made through Ambon Coast Radio Station, callsign "PKE", by hoisting flag "G" or on VHF Ch 12. Request for pilotage should be forwarded to the Port Authorities and/or agents at least 6 hours prior to arrival and 3 hours prior to departure. Pilot boards in Ambon Bay, 1.2nm W of Ambon.
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
Ambon: LOA 200m, beam 35m, approx 40,000DWT.
Nipa (Wayame): LOA 200m, draught 9.0m, 35,000DWT.
Wainitu: LOA 100m, draught 5.0m, 5,000DWT.
Tawiri (Desa Tawir): 5,000DWT tankers.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambon Port Terminal | — | 261 m | 1 |
| BBM Wayame Pertamina Terminal | — | 200 m | 3 |
| Tonasa Cement Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2024Approach
In the rainy season (Apr-Sep) visibility is much reduced and the features of the bay are difficult to identify.
In the narrow marked channel between the outer and inner parts of Teluk Ambon there is a least depth of 10m in the fairway.
Ambon Inner Harbour is approached through a channel, 130m in width, dredged to a least depth of 10.0m. Tanjung Martafons (03°39'S 128°12'E), the N entrance point, lies 2.5nm NE of Ambon. Within the entrance, a wide area of the Inner Harbour is dredged to a depth of 12.0m.
The Inner Harbour and its approaches E of a line drawn NNW from the village of Batu Merah, 1nm NE of Ambon, is a prohibited area, closed to navigation.
A submarine cable, marked by beacons (special marks) at each end, is laid across the narrows between two light beacons.
Port limits
A line drawn 236° from Tanjung Batumerah (03°40.6'S 128°10.3'E) to the meridian of 128°09.6'E.
Anchorages
Vessels of all sizes may obtain anchorage in Ambon Bay; vessels not exceeding 75m in length may anchor in a depth of 46m off New Victoria Fort situated 90m NE of Yos Sudarso Quay. Abreast the fort are some old piles of which the heads show only at LW and vessels must be careful when in this vicinity.
The best anchorage is reported to be off Wainitu Jetty in a depth of approx 50m.
Prohibited anchorage is within the circle drawn with a radius of 200m around the position 03°41.20'S 128°10'E.
Restrictions
Vessels are not permitted to enter or leave harbour between sunset and sunrise without permission of the local Naval Control Officer.
Port operations: Vessels may enter and depart the port thoughout the 24 hour period; however, berthing and unberthing can only be undertaken during daylight hours.
Tugs
There are two tugs of 500hp and 300hp capacity available.
Charts and publications
BA 2791, 2911. Admiralty Pilot NP35, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA to be advised to the agent, pilot station and/or Harbour Master at 10, 3, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the Master should also advise last port of call and the estimated draught on arrival.
Communications
Radio: It is recommended to use Jakarta Radio for passing messages at long range, callsign "PKX". Working hours are 0001-0400hrs UTC on 8542kHz and 0001-1200hrs UTC on 8752kHz.
Ambon Coast Radio station, callsign "PKE" operating 24 hours at frequencies 1282, 2690, 6215, 6224, 8473, 12257, 12682, 500-470 and 42951 Khz.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Ch 16; 12, 14. Available throughout 24 hours.
Documents
The agent will deliver the special forms onboard the vessel when alongside.
Health
Free pratique is granted on arrival.
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: All crew members must have a valid travel document.
Notices and regulations
Vessels loading or discharging cargo at an Indonesian port should obtain a Customs Permit. Copies of Bills of Lading, Cargo Manifest, Ship's Stores List, Personal Effects and Crew List should be delivered to Customs and Port Administration, which will include Immigration.
If arriving from a foreign port the local agent will prepare the General Cargo Declaration; if arriving from an Indonesian port, Form 5B issued at the last Indonesian port will be retained by the Customs and the Arrival Clearance is then granted.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate of Marine Safety and Seafarers, Directorate General of Sea Communications.
Position: Director
Address: Karya Building, 12th Floor, JI Merdeka Barat 8, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia.
Tel: +62 21 350 5705.
Fax: +62 21 350 5705.
Mob: +62 811 960640.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS compliance: The US Coast Guard has determined (12/2012) that the Republic of Indonesia is now maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in their ports. The Republic of Indonesia is removed from the list of the Countries Affected in paragraph B of the Port Security Advisory. Therefore, actions required in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory are no longer required for vessels that arrive in the United States after visiting ports in the Republic of Indonesia.
In a further effort to combat piracy, the Indonesian Government are allocating Piracy Anchor Safe Zones within some of their ports. These will be patrolled by the Indonesian Marine Police. Individual Port Authorities should be contacted about the latest information concerning these.
Port services
updated Aug 2024Repairs
Docking and engine repair with slipway dock capacity for 5000DWT are available.
Dry docks
Slipway for small vessels only. A floating dock is situated at Nipa.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkers: Only diesel and marine fuel supplied by Pertamina depend on request.
Stores: Limited provisions available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Rumah Sakit Sumber Hidup - GPM, 900m.
Transport
Nearest airport: Pattimura Airport, 20.9km.
Working hours
Open 24 hours. Tides do not effect entry.
About Ambon
updated Dec 2019Where it is
Ambon is located on the S coast of Seram.
The port
Ambon is the main harbour of the province of Maluku. Handles general cargo, container, Ro-Ro and passengers vessels. An oil terminal lies at Nipa on the NW shore of Teluk Ambon operates by Pertamina.
The port exports are cloves, nutmegs, mace, copra and forest products; main imports are cloth, ironware, canned provisions, timber (collecting point for export), machinery and petroleum products.
Questions about Ambon
Where does the pilot board at Ambon?
The pilot boards at Ambon Roads pilot boarding, 03°41.6′S 128°09.2′E.
What time zone is Ambon in?
Local time at Ambon is UTC+9. No summer time.
What is the water density at Ambon?
1025.
Which load line zone is Ambon in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Ambon?
Port State Control at Ambon: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ambon?
The UN/LOCODE of Ambon is IDAMQ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ambon 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.