PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Banana
Pilot
updated May 2010- Congo River pilot boarding place (near Banana) Pilot boards06°02.6′S 012°24.4′E
- Congo River pilot boarding place (vicinity of Buoy No. 16) Pilot boards06°02.2′S 012°33.6′E
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and available during daylight hours only. Request for pilot should be made 24 hours prior to arrival. Pilot boards S of Pointe Francaise (06°01.5'S 012°24.3'E), between Stella No 2 Lightbuoy and Pointe Bulabemba.
Key data
updated Oct 2016Size limits
Harbour: LOA 130m, draught 5.49m.
Offshore (STS): LOA 250m, draught 11.58m.
Water density
The water is brackish.
Load line zone
Tropical
Tides
Mean spring range is 1.4m; mean neap range 0.6m.
Tidal streams: There is a regular tidal stream in the creek. The ingoing stream having a rate from 0.5-1kt and the outgoing stream from 1.5-2kts in the dry season.
Occasionally, during the out-going stream a set towards the W side of the entrance will be experienced in the vicinity of the outer buoys, above which the stream will be found to set in the general direction of the channel.
In the river at the anchorage berths there is a strong current of between 4 and 5kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banana STS | — | — | 1 |
| Banana Cargo Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| SOCIR 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 Oct 2016Approach
Approach and entry: The port is located in Crique de Banana, which is entered between Pointe Prancaise and the S extremity of Ilot des Pecheurs, 0.5nm E.
Directions for entering harbour: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position S of Pointe Francaise, the track leads N, through a channel marked by buoys (lateral), passing (with positions relative to Pointe Francaise):
Between No 2A and 3 Buoys (0.5nm SE) marking the entrance bar close E of Banc Stella, then:
E of Pointe Francaise, the S tip of Presqu'ile de Banana, and W of Pointe des Pecheurs (0.5nm E) at the S tip of Ilot des Pecheurs, then:
W of Pointe Huard (0.8nm NNE), the W extremity of Ile de Rosa.
A dangerous wreck lies 0.2nm W of Pointe Huard.
Then course is adjusted towards the harbour on the W side of Crique de Banana.
Anchorages
The recommended anchorage is in the vicinity of No 14 and 16 Lightbuoys, where the lightering of general cargo, containers and oil products takes place. At this anchorage, however the round trip for lighters is considerable and long delays may result. To achieve a speedy turn round, it is preferable that a vessel should anchor as close as possible to the refinery, between No 12 and No 14 Lightbuoys. Vessels should lay out 2 anchors upstream and lie with 7 to 8 shackles of cable on each. This anchorage is normally satisfactory in the dry season, but during the wet season starting in October, the current in the river increases considerably, and vessels frequently drag their anchors. Vessels must therefore be ready to move at short notice and engines must be on immediate standby.
Restrictions
Berthing and unberthing allowed daytime only.
Tugs
Available.
Mooring
No mooring buoys are available and it is recommended to use 2 anchors upstream and lie with at least 7 shackles of cable on each.
Charts and publications
BA 658, Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent 5 days in advance, confirming 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, available 24 hours.
Tel: +243 81 9010409
Port: Ch 16, available office hours only.
Notices and regulations
Banana area is under military control.
Inspections
ISPS
Designated Authority: Ministere des Transport & Communication. Direction de la Marine Marchande.
Contact: Director.
Address: Av Poids Lourds, Chantier, Naval de la Regie des Vies Fluviales 2356, Kinshasa, Gombe, Congo Democratic Republic.
Tel: +243 992 7710
Email: [email protected].
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo 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 Oct 2016Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Not available.
Bunkering: Marine gas oil available by barge.
Medical
There is a doctor available for urgent medical cases.
Crew change
Available
Transport
Nearest airport: Muanda, 15km.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Tankers are worked throughout 24 hours.
About Banana
updated Apr 2018Where it is
Banana lies on the N bank and almost at the mouth of the of the Congo River (Zaire River).
The port
The port is used for handling general cargoes and also oil cargoes, by STS transfer at the anchorage for the refinery. DP World are to develop the port, which will include new deep water facilities.
Traffic
Approx 15,662t of cargo, 436TEU and 69 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Banana
Where does the pilot board at Banana?
The pilot boards at Congo River pilot boarding place (near Banana), 06°02.6′S 012°24.4′E. Banana has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Banana in?
Local time at Banana is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the water density at Banana?
The water is brackish.
Which load line zone is Banana in?
Tropical
What is the UN/LOCODE of Banana?
The UN/LOCODE of Banana is CDBNW.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Banana 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.