PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ash Shihr
Pilot
updated Aug 2010Pilotage is compulsory. A mooring master and an assistant board arriving vessels approx 2nm seawards of the SPM or at another advised position compatible with prevailing weather. Use of a mooring master is compulsory. Vessels are not permitted within 2nm of the SPMs unless a pilot is onboard.
A combination accommodation ladder/pilot ladder should be rigged on the leeward side, 1.0m above sea level.
The mooring master will remain onboard the vessel to co-ordinate the loading operation throughout the vessel's stay.
The vessel must provide the mooring master, his assistant, the cargo inspector and possibly an Oil Ministry Representative, accommodation and food equivalent to that enjoyed by the ship's officers.
Should adverse weather prevent the safe disembarkation of the mooring master and his assistant, the terminal requests that the co-operation of the vessel's master in allowing them to remain onboard until the next most convenient point of disembarkation.
Key data
updated Mar 2022Size limits
Off shore: LOA 336.17m, draught 24.0m, 321,300DWT.
Load line zone
Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.
Tides
Currents: Variable. Generally flow in a NE or SW direction at rates up to 3.0kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Shihr Marine Terminal | 24.00 m | 336 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2022Approach
The terminal is approached directly from Gulf of Aden.
FAD's (Fishing Aggregating Devices): Generally buoyed, may be found in the approaches to the harbour.
Mooring buoys: A, B and C are designated for use by harbour craft and tugs, are laid 0.350nm SSE, 0.650nm SSE and 0.975nm S, respectively from the harbour entrance.
Port limits
The limits of the terminal extend 5nm SSE from the coast on both sides of the terminal facility.
Terminal area: The terminal area is delineated by a circle 3nm in radius from the SPM and by a corridor 2nm wide from the SPM to the shoreline in a NNE direction.
Traffic schemes and VTS
No schemes.
Anchorages
Masters of vessels are advised that no anchorage area is warranted as being suitable by the terminal operator.
There is no recommended waiting anchorage off the terminal; any chosen anchorage berth should be well clear and to leeward of the oil terminal and its facilities. The holding ground within the terminal area is dolomite limestone and is not suitable for anchoring large vessels with conventional anchors.
Open anchorage may be obtained between 0.7nm and 1nm off the town of Ash Shihr in depths from 13.0 to 22.0m, sand & shell.
Prohibited anchorage: Masters must not attempt to anchor within the terminal area, all vessels waiting to berth must keep a safe distance offshore to the SE of the terminal.
Note: It is required that any vessel waiting to berth remains outside the Republic of Yemen Territorial waters unless specifically requested to do otherwise by the terminal manager.
Restrictions
Berthing should only take place during daylight hours. Vessels must arrive in good time to allow berthing operations to be completed before sunset, otherwise the berthing will be scheduled for the next day. Due to strong winds from Mid-day to sunset during monsoon season (Jun-Sep), vessels will only be berthed in the early morning daylight hours. The terminal may be closed, without liability on any party, if the terminal operator determines that conditions or circumstances warrant closure.
Vessels are not allowed within 2nm of the offshore facilities unless the terminal is onboard.
Tugs
A tug is available at the terminal. The operator will require that the tug be in attendance throughout operations. Tugs will be connected to the stern of the vessel throughout loading and will provide the towline.
Mooring
Mooring systems: The mooring system comprises 2 endless grommet 17in circumference mooring ropes each with a single U3 grade 76mm chaffing chain. The port mooring system has a 180m 10inch diameter polypropylene pick-up rope and the starboard mooring system pick-up rope is 110m.
Provision of mooring equipment: Vessels must be equipped with mooring equipment in accordance with the "Standards for Equipment Employed in the Mooring of Ships at Single Point Moorings" recommended by the OCIMF.
Panama lead size: Panama leads and chain stoppers must accept 76mm diameter chains.
Messenger lines: The vessel must supply, at the bow, 2 floating messenger lines of 25mm minimum diameter and minimum 50m long.
Charts and publications
BA 2964, 3784. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Prior to arrival, sea discharge valves must be flushed and deck scuppers must be plugged.
Vessels must arrive with anchors secured.
Communications
VHF: Vessel's must monitor Ch 09 (working channel) and contact the terminal on Ch 16 for advice from the terminal control centre (TCC), callsign "Operations Control".
All vessels must have a fully operational VHF radio in the cargo control room.
Email: [email protected]
Standard messages
Masters are advised that the terminal utilises a compulsory "Early Departure Procedure" which will be fully explained on arrival.
The terminal operator must be provided with answers to the questionnaire shown above, upon request, prior to the vessel's arrival at the terminal.
Documents
Protest Notices: Any letters of protest must be signed by the master and dated and endorsed with the ship's stamp. The mooring master has the authority to receive all letters, without prejudice.
Customs and immigration
Vessel's agent represents the various port officials.
Flags
Republic of Yemen (National) flag, relevant International Code of Signals flags
Notices and regulations
The vessel and crew shall comply with No Smoking and Drug .and Alcohol Policy requirement of the Terminal Operator and OCIMF.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Yemen Coastguard
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that vessels arriving at US ports from any ports in Yemen, with the exception of Ash Shihr Terminal, Balhaf LNG Terminal and the Port of Hodeidah, will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures.
Port services
updated Aug 2010Repairs
There are no repair facilities at the terminal.
Dry docks
None available.
Bunkers, water and stores
None available at the terminal.
Medical
Medical and dental services are not available at the terminal, except in an emergency. There is a clinic at Mukalia and a dentist approx 55km to the W.
Crew change
Crew changes cannot be carried out at the terminal. No member of the vessel's crew or passenger is permitted to land except in an emergency.
Personnel transfer arrangement onboard a visiting tanker must comply with SOLAS, Consolidated edition including 2000 amendments and latest IMO recommendations.
Transport
Airport: The nearest airport is at Riyan (international and domestic flights), approx 15km W of the terminal.
Working hours
The terminal operates 24 hours a day all year round, prevailing weather conditions permitting.
About Ash Shihr
updated Mar 2022Where it is
Ash Shihr Petroleum Export Terminal is located on the southern coastline of Yemen, approx 290nm North East of Aden.
The port
The terminal is operated by Canadian Nexen Petroleum Yemen and consists of 2 SPM's and a small boat harbour.
Traffic
Approx 52 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Ash Shihr
What are the pilot arrangements at Ash Shihr?
Pilotage is compulsory.
What time zone is Ash Shihr in?
Local time at Ash Shihr is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Ash Shihr?
The deepest berth listed is at Ash Shihr Marine Terminal: 24.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Ash Shihr in?
Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Ash Shihr?
Port State Control at Ash Shihr: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ash Shihr?
The UN/LOCODE of Ash Shihr is YEASR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ash Shihr 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.