Batumi

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 228.99m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.5m, 82,177DWT.

Offshore: LOA 250m, beam 44m, draught 13.5m, 140,000DWT.

Water density

1014-1018.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.5m.

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

Approach

As part of an expansion programme, an extensive dredging programme is underway which, on completion, will provide an 11.5m draught in the port's fairway and alongside the Batumi International Container Terminal. Current depths should therefore be checked with the Port Office.

The Fairway Buoy is located in position 41°39'N 041°38'E.

Initial position: 330° distant 0.8nm from Batumskiy Light.

The recommended approach route leads 149° for 1.5nm and then SE passing (with positions from Batumskiy Light).

W of a spar buoy (N cardinal) (0.65nm NE) that marks the NW limit of the coastal bank that occupies the E part of Batumskaya Bukhta.

E of Mys Burun-Tabiya (0.12nm NW), the termination of a marshy tree covered plain.

W of a spar buoy (W cardinal) (0.5nm ENE).

Leading lights: The alignment, 172.5°, of the Petroleum Harbour Leading Lights leads into the inner roadstead through a buoyed channel to the entrance of Neftyanaya Gavan.

Front light (white round metal tower, 2 black bands, 11m in height) 41°39'N 041°39'E.

Rear light (black truncated pyramid) 0.7nm SSE of Front beacon, 5.0m in height.

Lights in line: The alignments, 166° and 261.5°, of 2 pairs of lights (black shapes, white stripe on white metal framework structure), assist tanker mooring operations in the inner roadstead.

Port limits

The port limits include Internal and Outer Anchorage No 100.

Traffic schemes and VTS

VTS is not available, but there are 3 recommended courses which separate vessel traffic.

Anchorages

Outer Anchorage No 100 (Bulk Carriers and Tankers) is located about 1.5nm NE of the harbour entrance, the ground is mud and sand and the holding is good. It contains Anchor Berths No 1 to 5 in depths of 9.0m to 15.0m.

The outer roads of the port with depths of approx 9.0-15m, extend for a distance of approx 1.5nm to the ENE from the Batumi Lightbuoy along the edge of the shoal. The bottom is mud and sand.

Caution: The port harbour is protected by a mole from seaward and provides a safe anchorage except at times when the SW and NW winds occur and the Tyagun, a strong variable current with surge is formed.

At the time of the Tyagun vessels are recommended to stop cargo handling operations and put to sea.

Restrictions

All vessels must give a minimum passing clearance of 80m to tankers loading at the oil jetty.

Under Keel Clearance: Not less than 0.3m.

Draught in ballast: Bow draught should not be less than 1.5m.

Tugs

Compulsory. There are 5 tugs available: 2 x 3,000hp, 1 x 1,200hp, 1 x 2,300hp and 1 x 600hp. Tugs have fire fighting facilities.

Mooring

Tankers moor at CBM berth stern to the N side of Neftyanaya Mol using 2 anchors forward and lines connected to a buoy on each quarter. The berth is connected by pipelines to the shore and is capable of handling vessels up to 140,000DWT, max LOA 250m, max draught 13.6m. Vessels must maintain an under keel clearance of 0.8m whilst at this berth. 12 floating polypropylene rope ends are required.

Charts and publications

BA 2236, 3313, 3317. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels ETA should be sent 7 days, 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival, the message should include the following information: Name and type of vessel, vessel details, flag, number of crew, grade and quantity of cargo, details of cargo loading and unloading and name of agent in the port.

Communications

Vessels lying at mooring buoys should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16. Port may also be reached through Batumi CRS.

Standard messages

As per IMO Circ Letter SN/Circ 178 of 13 March 1996. GEOREP reports to MRCC Reports mandatory from 01.02.99.

Notice of readiness

Via vessel's agent in accordance with Charter Party and port terms.

Health

Vaccination available. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Georgian Maritime Administration.

Position: Senior Deputy Chairman

Address: 60 Gogebashvili Str, 6017, Batumi, Georgia.

Tel: +995 222 73 909.

Fax: +995 222 73929

Mob: +995 77 408238

Email: [email protected]

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

Abkhazia, Georgia: Georgia has advised the IMO that due to the tense situation in the state of Abkhazia resulting from mercenaries, arms and drug smuggling the Abkhaz section of Georgian waters is closed for navigation to all types of vessels, except international humanitarian cargo shipments. Several vessels have failed to obey this regulation and have been detained by navy guards, the cargoes inspected and the vessels fined.

Repairs

Minor repairs available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by barge "Chorohki".

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Fresh provisions available.

Medical

Marine Hospital, 4.5km and International University Hospital Batumi, 4.7km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Batumi International Airport located at Batumi, 8.3km.

Working hours

The port works throughout 24 hours. There are 2 shifts 0800-2000hrs and 2000-0800hrs (including weekends and holidays).

Where it is

Batumi is located on the Black Sea coast, on the W side of Batumskaya Bukhta, approx 20km N of the Turkish border.

The port

The port handles general cargo, container, dry bulk, Ro-Ro, LPG, liquid cargo, ferry and passengers.

Traffic

Approx 2,700,000t of cargo, 100,000TEU and 600 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Batumi?

Compulsory. Batumi Pilot Station, VHF Ch 16, 12, Tel: +995 222 76793, +995 222 76792.

What time zone is Batumi in?

Local time at Batumi is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Batumi?

The deepest berth listed is at Batumi Oil Terminal (BOT): 13.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Batumi?

1014-1018.

Which load line zone is Batumi in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Batumi?

The UN/LOCODE of Batumi is GEBUS.

What crews who called at Batumi 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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