Aqaba

Size limits

LOA 370m, draught 24m, beam 50m, 400,000DWT

Water density

1029-1031.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.2m at spring tide.

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

Approach

The approach to the port is made from the head of Red Sea, passing through Strait of Tiran and then to the E side of the head of Gulf of Aqaba.

Port limits

The Southern limit of the port is an imaginary line 270° from Al Derrah Point (Saudi Border) approx 16km from the main port.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Vessel Traffic Service extends 11nm from the Jordan/Saudi Arabia border in the S, to the Jordan/Isreal border on the N ocast of the Gulf of Aqaba, including all sea areas to the Jordan/Isreal border and adjacent harbours.

The VTS is operated by Aqaba Port Marine Services Company and is compulsory.

Initial communication must be through Aqaba Port Control, 6 and 1 hour prior to arrival and vessels will then be transferred to Aqaba VTS.

Notice of departure should be sent 2 hours in advance.

Anchorages

Ample anchorage areas are available for the main port at a distance of 500m to 1,000m from shore with a water depth ranging from 18.0 to 55m. More than 25 vessels, medium size and large cargo vessels can wait in these waters.

The farthest point of anchorage is not more than 1.8nm from the shore. Aqaba Gulf has a maximum width of 5nm and little weather turbulence, so it is considered safe to load or discharge cargo by means of barges. Lighterage for discharging or loading at anchorage is for consignee's and shipper's respective account.

Vessels awaiting discharge can anchor in the deep water anchorage which can accommodate 8 vessels. Anchorages No 1-4 are called the Near Anchorage and are used for vessels discharging cargo into barges. Anchorages No 5-7 known as the Far Anchorage are used for vessels waiting to berth, while Anchorage No 8 is used for small vessels.

All anchorages lie in the compulsory pilotage areas.

Prohibited anchorages: All vessels must keep 0.6nm distance from the Royal Jetty.

Vessels should reduce speed so as not to cause damaging wake to and are prohibited from anchoring in the Marine Peace Park, between 29°27.6'N and 29°23.8'N for a distance of 250m off the shore.

Entry to Anchorage area is prohibited after sunset.

Tugs

The use of tugs is compulsory for all berthing operations in accordance with prevailing rates in the official tariff. There are 7 tugs, 800hp to 3,200hp, usually based in the port.

Charts and publications

BA 801,12, 159. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should call Aqaba Port Control on VHF Ch 16 and transfer to VHF Ch 77 to exchange information. Vessels should then call Aqaba VTS at least 2 hours in avance prior to arrival at the pilot boarding station for berthing insturctions.

On departure vessels should send ETD 2 hour in advance to Aqaba Port Control together with request for pilot on Ch 12 or 16.

Note: Vessels carrying dangerous cargo and radioactive elements should inform the ports corporation of all the details to enable the port to take the necessary precautions and safety measures for unloading.

Container vessels should submit both the Bay Plan and the Vessel Cargo Plan not less than 18 hours before arrival.

Communications

VHF: Aqaba Port Control: Ch 16, 77. Tel: +962 3 201 5549. Fax: +962 3 201 6110.

Pilots (Marine Services & Slipway): Ch 12, 16.

Pilots & Tugs: Ch 08, 09.

Boat Services: Ch 06.

Aqaba VTS: Ch 16, 08, 09, 12. Tel: +962 3 201 9265.

Aqaba Container Terminal:

Telephone: +962-3-2039999

Facsimile: +962-3-2039133

Aqaba Port Marine Services Company:

Telephone: +962-3-2034030

Facsimile: +962-3-2034031

Standard messages

To ocean going oil tankers arriving at Aqaba Oil Terminal:

Standard information from ocean going oil tankers arriving at Aqaba Oil Terminal must be sent by telex, fax or letter to the ports corporation at least 15 days before arrival.

Notice of readiness

Tendered on arrival.

Documents

Note: Container vessels should submit both their Bay Plan and the Vessel Cargo Plan 48 hours before arrival.

Manifests must be stamped and signed by the agent at the port of loading. Documents must go to the agent's head office in Amman, not to Aqaba.

Manifests must show the weight, dimensions and other measurements of the cargo. Weight must be shown in kilograms. Manifests must be received in Aqaba at least 48 hours before the arrival of the vessel or a set must be delivered to the agent by the master. Failure to do so will incur a customs fine and permission to discharge denied.

Health

Pratique can be applied for on arrival, through port control.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be extended for one month or to next port of call.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances are 20 packets of cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits for each crew member. The vessel's store is locked and sealed by customs while in port.

Flags

Jordanian flag must be displayed inside Jordanian waters.

Notices and regulations

Ro-Ro vessels should have a ramp with at least 35m length.

Vessels arriving after 2000hrs are not permitted to enter Jordan territorial waters unless berthing arrangements have been made.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargo and radioactive elements should inform the ports corporation of all the relevant details to enable the port to take the necessary precautions and safety measures for their discharge.

It has been reported that arriving vessels bound for the general port area, or the container terminal and Ro-Ro berths, that if an alongside berth is not immediately available they should obtain inward clearance at the pilot station.

Vessels carrying IMO class 1.1 explosives, ammonium nitrate, radioactive materials, or potassium chloride are prohibited from berthing alongside.

The berthing of tankers and vessels carrying dangerous goods is prohibited during the hours of darkness (usually 1800-0600hrs).

With the possibility of sudden changes in the weather, vessels may not immobilise their main engines without the permission of the harbour master.

Regulations have been introduced prohibiting vessels more than 15 years old, with certain exceptions, from discharging or loading cargo at the port.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Aqaba Ports Corporation.

Address: PO Box 115, Aqaba, 77110 Jordan.

Tel: +962 3 203 0960.

Fax: +962 3 201 6204.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repairs possible. Slipway of 300t capacity. Repairs can only be carried out with permission of the harbour master.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available but in very limited quantities and ships are advised to be fully supplied prior to arrival.

Bunkering: Bunker fuel type 400-4,000 per second (Redwood viscosity) is available in Aqaba but in limited quantities. If a vessel requires a larger quantity, masters must give notice prior to arrival when a few hundred tonnes may be secured. Similar arrangements may be made for gas oil but on a much smaller scale.

Stores: Available.

Medical

The Health Section of Aqaba Port provides all medical services required and responds to any urgent call by radio before arrival.

A government hospital and two private hospitals are available and are staffed by doctors and surgeons. By arrangement with the agent, and for the ship's account, a doctor may be called onboard at any time of day or night to attend to sick crew or passengers. Private doctors are also available.

Aqaba Modern Hospital, 6.4km.

Transport

Nearest airport: King Hussein International Airport located at Aqaba, 12.8km.

Nearest railway: The Hittiye-Aqaba railway is used for transporting phosphate from the mines to the port.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1400hrs. Compulsory overtime begins at 1700hrs and extends until 0100hrs. For ships requiring one or two hours for completion of loading or discharging, work may be continued by the last shift. All work after 1600hrs is considered overtime.

No work is done on the first day of Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Adha; however, work may be arranged by special request on all other holidays at extra overtime rates. During Ramadan, work is only carried out from 0700hrs to 1300hrs and from 2100hrs to 0300hrs the next morning.

Friday is the official holiday. However, work may be continued onboard vessels at overtime rates if requested by the owner or master.

Where it is

Aqaba lies at the southernmost tip of Jordan on the NE shores of the Gulf of Aqaba.

The port

The Port of Aqaba, which is the only access to the sea for Jordan, is located on a 40km strip of coastline between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The main areas of the port are:

The main general cargo port, the Passenger and Container Terminals (approx 3nm S of main port), the New Oil Exporting Jetty (approx 8nm S of main port) and the Fertiliser Industry Terminal (approx 9nm S of main port), close to the Saudi border.

The principal exports are phosphates, tar products, cement, fruit.

Imports include general cargo, building materials, grain and machinery.

Traffic

Approx 14,000,000t of cargo, 800,000TEU, 1,600 vessels and 70,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Aqaba in?

Local time at Aqaba is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Aqaba?

The deepest berth listed is at Aqaba LNG Terminal: 24.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Aqaba?

1029-1031.

Which load line zone is Aqaba in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Aqaba?

The UN/LOCODE of Aqaba is JOAQB.

What crews who called at Aqaba 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.

Read and add tips for Aqaba →