PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Bandar Imam Khomeini
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for all vessels. The service is operated by the Khomeini Port Authorities up to the port of Khomeini, and by the National Iranian Oil Company from Khomeini to Bandar Mahshahr.
Pilot must be requested 24 hours in advance of vessel arriving at Phoormosa pilot station through Bandar Imam Khomeini Port Radio callsign "EQN", 500kHz. Pilots board at Buoy No 12. The distance between the boarding point, anchorage nearest and farthest berth are 1nm, 35nm and 40nm respectively. The pilot vessel is usually positioned at 29°55.9'N 049°06.5'E. On arrival at Khor-e Musa Lightfloat, vessel should contact Khor-e Musa pilot station on VHF Ch 16.
The pilot vessel (white hull with name "Khor Musa" in black on each side) is usually on station, near the entrance to the dredged channel through the bar. During adverse weather the pilot vessel may proceed above the bar and may sometimes be replaced by a tug.
During periods of low visibility due to fog, dust or sandstorms, the pilot vessel will, in addition to the usual signals under such conditions, sound the letters "PV" in Morse code on the siren every 15 minutes beginning at each hour; on near approach of a vessel arriving the signal will be sounded more frequently.
The pilot vessel will also function as a radio beacon on request; vessels requiring this service should make direct radio contact and obtain the precise position of the pilot vessel.
Key data
updated Aug 2025Size limits
LOA 304.14m, beam 43m, draught 14.2m, 100,000DWT.
Water density
1029.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
MHWS 2.3m; MHWN 1.6m; MLWN -1.1m; MLWS -2.0m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ore Terminal | 14.20 m | 190 m | 1 |
| Eastern Jetty | 14.00 m | 229 m | 3 |
| Razi Petrochemical Co (RPC) | 14.00 m | 174 m | 2 |
| Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex - (BIPC) | 14.00 m | 230 m | 2 |
| Container Terminal | 13.00 m | 304 m | 5 |
| Grain Terminal | 13.00 m | 240 m | 5 |
| Western Jetty | 13.00 m | 190 m | 3 |
| Multipurpose Terminal 2 | 12.50 m | 235 m | 4 |
| Multipurpose Terminal 3 | 12.50 m | 235 m | 4 |
| Construction Materials Terminal | 12.50 m | 225 m | 3 |
| Grain Terminal South | 12.00 m | — | 1 |
| Multipurpose Terminal 1 | 12.00 m | 240 m | 3 |
| Exir Chemical Terminal | 12.00 m | 183 m | 2 |
| Southern Berths | 11.00 m | 190 m | 4 |
| NW Berths | — | 183 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 Apr 2019Approach
The Khor Musa is a natural channel which does not need dredging, has a length 72km and width 250-700m, with a min depth of 12.0m CD (15m MSL). Tidal range is 3.5m. The approach channel is navigable for two ocean going vessels at the same time.
Port limits
From Khor-e Musa Lightfloat to the inner anchorage.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Vessel Tracking System has been installed to assist the efficiency of the bulk handling facility.
Restrictions
All inbound and outbound vessels with draught of 11.3m or more are likely to be tide restricted. The permitted maximum draught according to the CD varies between 12.5-13.5m, depending on the height of the tide. It may increase to 14.2m in special seasons for inbound vessels.
Mooring
All vessels using Marshar, BIPC, RPC or TTPC terminals are required to berth/unberth on flood tide.
Charts and publications
BA 1269. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2013ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA at the pilot station should be advised at least 48 hours prior to arrival at Khowr-e Musa Lightfloat and 72 hours prior to arrival if proceeding to the fertiliser complex wharf.
The vessel's position, when within 24 hours prior to arrival at the entrance to the Khowr-e Musa Channel, should be forwarded to the harbour master.
The following information should be supplied to the agent at least 72 hours prior to arrival, for submission to port authority.
Communications
VHF: Bandar Imam Khomeini Port Radio (EQN): Ch 16; 13, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, listens 24 hours.
Khormusa Pilots: Ch 16. Tel: +98 652 252 2455. Fax: +98 652 222 6902.
Navigational, safety and urgent information is broadcast daily at 0915 and 1715hrs local time, by Bandar Imam Khomeini CRS on Ch 16.
Standard messages
Dear Captain
Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Please read carefully the contents of this brochure of information and instruction of the Iranian ports. We wish you and your crew a good stay.
unquote
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered to the port authority and other concerned parties as per the owner's instruction, or Charter Party, on arrival.
Documents
QO = Quarantine Officer; CO = Customs Officer; PA = Port Authority; AG = Agent.
Health
Pratique will be granted by port medical officer on arrival providing vessel is clear of infectious diseases.
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.
Customs and immigration
Crew are normally permitted to disembark with shore passes issued by the immigration office.
Flags
Foreign vessels entering Iranian territorial waters and during their stay in Iranian ports must always display the Iranian flag in the forepart of the vessel.
Notices and regulations
One copy of general notices and regulations is submitted to all arriving vessels.
The permitted draught according to CD varies between 12.5m and 13.5m depending upon height of the tide. It may increase to 14.0m in special seasons. Depth over Khor Musa bar is restricted to 12.2m at LW but max permitted draught is 14.0m during HW (in special seasons).
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ports and Shipping Organization.
Position: Port Security Senior Officer.
Address: 751 Enghlab Av, Tehran 1599661464, Iran.
Tel: +98 21 849 32051.
Fax: +98 21 880 9329.
Mob: +98 91 238 42649.
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 Iran 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 2015Repairs
Radio, radar and cooling mechanical repairs carried out by private workshops; also hull and machinery repairs, etc.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available in quantities up to 200t. At least 24 hours notice is required, and delivery is by barge. Fresh water is also available by pipe at jetties No 11-20. Ships are advised to arrive with adequate supplies of fresh water onboard.
Bunkering: Nearest bunker berths are at Bandar Mahshahr, approx 11km E of Bandar Imam Khomeini, or at Abadan.
Medical
Available within the port. Hospitals, clinics, dentists and optician are available.
Crew change
Normally effected through Tehran.
Transport
Nearest airport: Mahshahr, 20km; Abadan, 100km, Ahwaz, 110km.
Nearest railway: Ahwaz, approx 100km, or Abadan.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Bandar Imam Khomeini
updated Aug 2025Where it is
The port of Bandar Imam Khomeini is sheltered within the Khor Musa, approx 45nm from its entrance.
The port
Bandar Imam Khomeini is Iran's largest and most modern port with an area of approx 1,041ha. Much of the port has been recently developed and new berths opened. 37 berths handling a variety of cargoes including the export of petrochemicals, Bandar Imam Khomeini, with its near neighbour Bandar Mahshahr, is an important rail terminus for national and international cargoes.
Traffic
Approx 49,000,000t of cargo, 89,000TEU and 1,700 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Bandar Imam Khomeini
What are the pilot arrangements at Bandar Imam Khomeini?
Compulsory for all vessels.
What time zone is Bandar Imam Khomeini in?
Local time at Bandar Imam Khomeini is UTC+3:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Bandar Imam Khomeini?
The deepest berth listed is at Ore Terminal: 14.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Bandar Imam Khomeini?
1029.
Which load line zone is Bandar Imam Khomeini in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Bandar Imam Khomeini?
Port State Control at Bandar Imam Khomeini: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Bandar Imam Khomeini?
The UN/LOCODE of Bandar Imam Khomeini is IRBKM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Bandar Imam Khomeini 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.
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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.