PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Assab
Pilot
updated Dec 2010Compulsory for vessels over 200GT; pilots board 0.5nm E of Ras Buja, (13°00.6'N 042°45.5'E). Berthing at the Sea Berth and Shell Jetty between 0500-1200hrs (unberthing between 0600-1200hrs), and berthing/unberthing at the Coastal Tanker Jetty between 0600-1700hrs.
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
LOA 101m, beam 19.05m, draught 10.30m, 7,281DWT.
Water density
1030.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assab Crude Oil Terminal | 11.00 m | 185 m | 1 |
| North Jetty | 10.30 m | 101 m | 3 |
| Salt Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| South Jetty | 9.50 m | 101 m | 4 |
| Shell Products Terminal | 8.50 m | 183 m | 1 |
| Coastal Tanker Terminal | 8.00 m | 105 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
Arrival from N: Vessels must pass 2.6nm from the coast SE of Ras Darma and pass 1.7nm E of Sanahbor Islet. This leads midway between the Islet and Bosanquet Shoal and when the Islet bears 270° vessels steer to pass 0.9nm on the W side of the bay until Ras Gombo Light bears 246°. No hazards or sand bars.
Anchorages
A good sheltered anchorage may be obtained in Aseb Bay, SW of Umm-al-Assal (12°56'N 042°50'E) in depths of 7.7-11.0m sand.
Another good anchorage berth is about 1nm offshore, E of the village of Mergebla (12°54'N 042°45'E).
Anchorage is prohibited E of the port, between Ras Buja (13°0.6'N 042°44.9'E) and Ras Caribale (1.75nm S) but vessels may be permitted to anchor there on the instructions of the pilot.
Anchorage is also prohibited N of a line from Ras Loma (13°02'N 042°44'E) to NW extremity of Fatuma Deset (6.5nm E).
Quarantine anchorage: Quarantine anchorage is about 1nm E of Ras Buja.
Tugs
Tugs available.
Mooring
Most of the time headlines are passed to the shore by pilot boat.
First lines are passed to shore, i.e. headline, forward and aft. Spring and stern lines should preferably be ropes rather than wire lines.
Charts and publications
BA 1926, 452. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2020Communications
Communications:
1. Call sign: Assab Port
2. VHF: VHF Ch 12 and 14
3. Telephone: +291-1 - 660710, +291-1- 660192, +291-1-660687
4. Facsimile: +291-1-661249, +291-1-661226
Notice of readiness
Tendered during local office hours.
Documents
Customs Office inspect/receive documents pertaining to cargo and crew declaration. Immigration receive Crew Lists.
Standard forms can be used for the above. Special forms required by agent, relating to ship particulars and cargo details, are brought onboard by the boarding clerk on arrival.
Health
Vessels with an infection onboard should inform the port health officer by radio and anchor within the quarantine anchorage. Pratique is not granted by radio. Free pratique is normally granted after the vessel has berthed. On rare occasions it may be granted at the anchorage.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate issued.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: Sufficient cigarettes for the duration of the vessel's stay in port and 1 or 2 bottles of liquor.
Immigration: Passports are to be handed over to Immigration officials who will retain them until the ship's departure clearance. Shore pass is issued on payment of a fee (US$1.00) for each crew member, valid for the vessel's stay in port.
Flags
Two hours before departure "G" should be hoisted by day and white over red lights shown by night for pilot. Code flag "B" to be shown if dangerous goods onboard.
Notices and regulations
Special regulations are in force for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.
Main engines must not be put out of action without permission from the Port Authority.
Landing from ships' boats on the off lying islands is strictly prohibited and boats approaching these islands may be fired on without warning.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Maritime Transport.
Address: PO Box 679, Asmara, Eritrea.
Tel: +291 1 121317.
Fax:+291 1 121316.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Nov 2010Repairs
Minor repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: IFO (180cst), MDO and gas oil available.
Stores: Provisions available in small quantities.
Medical
In the centre of Assab city.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: 11km.
Airport facilities: Direct connection service to Addis Ababa is available.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs, 2200-0600hrs. Overtime rates apply after 1800hrs.
About Assab
updated Jul 2020Where it is
Assab is situated on the W side of the S Red Sea.
The port
The port mainly handles breakbulk, Ro-Ro and liquid cargo.
Questions about Assab
What are the pilot arrangements at Assab?
Compulsory for vessels over 200GT; pilots board 0.5nm E of Ras Buja, (13°00.6'N 042°45.5'E).
What time zone is Assab in?
Local time at Assab is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Assab?
The deepest berth listed is at Assab Crude Oil Terminal: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Assab?
1030.
Which load line zone is Assab in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Assab?
Port State Control at Assab: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Assab?
The UN/LOCODE of Assab is ERASA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Assab 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.