Basrah

Size limits

LOA 188m, draught 8.8m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range approx 1.0m.

Tidal streams: The tidal stream at Basrah varies. During the flood season (Feb - Jun), the outgoing stream is accelerated by the freshets due to the melting of the snow in the mountains and may attain a rate of 4.0kts, while the ingoing stream may be entirely overcome by the outgoing current.

During the dry season (Sep-Dec) the rate of the outgoing stream varies between 2.0 and 3.0kts and the ingoing stream from 1.0 to 2.0kts.

The ingoing tidal stream at Basrah makes approx 3.5 hours before the time of HW there, or approx 2 hours after the time of HW at the Shatt al Arab Bar; the ebb stream begins approx 1.75 hours after the time of HW at Basrah, or approx 7.25 hours after the time of HW at the Shatt al Arab Bar.

These times are subject, however, to seasonal and other variations, that of the commencement of the ingoing tidal stream preceding the lower HW being considerable and amounting to as much as 1.5 hours on either side of the average.

Slack water is of short duration.

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

Approach

The approach is via a narrow 150m unmarked channel. Shatt Al Arab River has a depth of 9.5m, the Outer Bar has a depth of only 5.2m.

Port limits

The port of Basrah extends up the Shatt al Arab as far as a stone beacon at Nahr Umar, approx 88nm from the entrance to Outer Bar Reach. It also includes the port of Umm Qasr (30°02.0'N 047°57.0'E), the tidal inlet N of that port and the Iraqi waters of the foreshore between Umm Qasr and the entrance to the Shatt al Arab.

Anchorages

Vessels must avoid anchoring in the vicinity of the mouth of Nahr al Ashshar where ferries cross the Shatt al Arab on both sides, with submarine cables crossing the river just below and 1.0nm above the creek entrance, the landing places of which are marked.

Restrictions

Those vessels transiting the Shatt al Arab are normally restricted in draught to 8.8m across the Karun Bar at the confluence of the Karun River with the waterway. Vessels over this draught will be required to lighten into barges at Hartheh Point.

Berthing of vessels at Basrah is carried out during daylight hours only and according to suitable tidal conditions.

Tugs

There are 12 harbour and seagoing tugs available throughout the waterway.

Charts and publications

BA 3846. Admiralty Pilot NP63.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16, 12, 14, 20. Throughout 24 hours.

Health

Quarantine regulations are strict. Every vessel arriving is considered in quarantine until the port health officer has boarded and granted pratique. No persons are allowed to board or leave the vessel, except the pilot and harbour master until pratique is granted. Valid cholera and smallpox certificates are essential. Infected or suspected vessels must anchor at Nahr al Khawrah for medical inspection.

Customs and immigration

Alcohol and pornographic material is to be bonded by the master. The bonded stores will be sealed by customs officials on arrival.

Notices and regulations

ABU FULUS:

General: There is still a security problem for smaller vessels (dhows) in transit to Abu Fulus due to sporadic incidents of illegal activity in the Shatt Al Arab though there have been no recent reports of larger vessels being attacked.

For navigational reasons vessels are advised to transit during daylight hours only.

There is no specific Ro-Ro berth but smaller Ro-Ro vessels operate a regular service between the UAE and Abu Fulus.

Private companies operate services for vessels intending to visit Abu Fulus including pilotage and bunkering.

Note: It is illegal to take bunkers from any source that is not authorised by the Iraqi Government and a vessel may be subject to arrest and confiscation if bunkers are taken from non-approved suppliers.

ISPS

For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

There is a slip at Al Ashshar and a floating dock with a capacity of 4,000t available.

Al Barkah shipyard, located 0.25nm upstream from Abu Fulus, has a drydock.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available at Muftiyah jetty or by barge mid-stream.

Medical

There is a port hospital and other local hospital facilities available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Basrah International Airport.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Basrah is located on the SW side of the Shatt al Arab waterway in Al Basrah Reach.

The port

Basrah is open to commercial shipping, following the recent war. The following port information is retained and will be updated as the situation changes. Because of the changing situation in Iraq, Masters are advised to contact the Iraqi port authorities for the latest information. We are unable to verify the following information at the time of going to print therefore caution is advised.

The port handles a variety of cargoes, including oils and containers.

The principal exports are crude petroleum, dates, grain, wool, hides and skins, cotton and live animals; the chief imports are cotton piece goods, sugar, tea, machinery, electrical machinery and motor vehicles.

What are the pilot arrangements at Basrah?

Compulsory. The transit is piloted, but a berthing master will board to relieve the pilot.

What time zone is Basrah in?

Local time at Basrah is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Basrah?

1025.

Which load line zone is Basrah in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Basrah?

The UN/LOCODE of Basrah is IQBSR.

What crews who called at Basrah 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 Basrah →