Balikpapan

Size limits

LOA 292m, beam 46m, draught 13.0m, 181,434DWT.

Water density

1018-1020.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Water height at max tide is 2.7m above CD and min tide is 0.2m above CD.

Tidal streams in Balikpapan are semi-diurnal, and attain a max rate of 1kt. The streams set in the direction of the channel, the outgoing stream being stronger, and change approx at HW and LW. Between Pulau Tokong and Gunung Tokong the stream is very strong, and this passage should not be attempted.

The outgoing stream, which sometimes attains a rate of 3kts, sets on to the piers.

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

Approach

The port is approached from either SE or NE and entered through the marked channel on a series of leading light alignments.

The channel is 14,000m long, 175m to 300m in width and has a depth of 13.0m LWS. Channel bottom is sand and mud. Sea Fairway Buoy (Fl W 10s 4M) is in position 01°21.15'S 116°56.0'E.

Balikpapan Coal Terminal: On reaching No 12 Light Buoy (port hand) vessels should proceed North to the Terminal, 0.8nm N of Tanjung Makasar (1°12.70'S 116°46.96'E) using the Deep Water Channel.

Port limits

The port is bounded by the co-ordinate limits of latitudes 01°06.0'S and 01°21.5'S, and longitudes 116°44.2'E and 116°55.0'E.

Anchorages

Vessels awaiting a berth or pilot should anchor in the vicinity of the lightbuoy (safe water) (01°22'S 116°57'E).

Prohibited anchorage: A submarine pipeline extends across the N limit of Pelabuhan Balikpapan from Tanjung Penajam. Anchorage is prohibited on either side of the pipeline, the limits of which are marked by posts.

Restrictions

Max draught 13.0m plus tide less 13% UKC.

Coal Terminal: Vessels over 11.5m draught will only be berthed during daylight.

Submarine Cables: Connect various points within Sungai Balikpapan, also from Tanjung Makasar to a position close W of Tanjung Penajam.

Tugs

Three tugs available, 1 x 870hp, 1 x 1,700hp and 1 x 2,400hp.

Mooring

Berthing and unberthing throughout 24 hours.

Pertamina Offshore STS: Import tanker anchors and offloading vessels come alongside starboard side under pilotage. 2 x 12in hoses and fenders supplied from shore..

Charts and publications

BA 2471, 2639, 2893. Indonesian 130, 157. Admiralty Pilot NP34, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised 48 hours prior to arrival at Balikpapan port.

The message should contain the following information:

.

Health

Health Officials board in the inner harbour.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) renewed.

Customs and immigration

Officials will board the vessel in the inner harbour.

When calling at Indonesian ports and terminals, all crew members must have valid passports. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry in the port. Non compliance may result in crew members being repatriated.

Notices and regulations

Traffic regulations: Between No 1 and 10 Lightbuoys, deep draught vessels over 8.8m draught should show the lights or shapes prescribed in International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea for vessels constrained by their draught. When two similar vessels are approaching this section of channel from opposite directions, the one coming from seaward will have the right of way.

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.

Repairs

Available for minor repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel Oil and Diesel available at all berths. LNG bunkering is not available.

Stores: Limited quantities available.

Medical

Medical Centre, 3km from wharf.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sultan Aji Muhamad Sulaiman Airport (formerly Sepinggan) lies near the coast, 8km E of Gunnung Tokong.

Working hours

Normally 0800-2200hrs, can work overtime.

Where it is

Balikpapan is situated at the East entrance to Teluk Balikpapan on the island of Kalimantan (Borneo).

The port

Balikpapan has a large oil refinery and is a major oil tanker port and also handles general, forest products, rattan and scrap iron. In addition the port has a coal terminal at Tanjung Makasar, 4nm NNW with a deep approach channel.

Traffic

Approx 9,200,000t of cargo, 184,000TEU, 6,300 vessels and 360,000 passengers are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Balikpapan?

Vessels should order a pilot at least 4 hours prior to arrival or 3 hours before departure.

What time zone is Balikpapan in?

Local time at Balikpapan is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Balikpapan?

The deepest berth listed is at Balikpapan Coal Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Balikpapan?

1018-1020.

Which load line zone is Balikpapan in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Balikpapan?

Port State Control at Balikpapan: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Balikpapan?

The UN/LOCODE of Balikpapan is IDBPN.

What crews who called at Balikpapan 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 Balikpapan →