Beirut

1. Beirut pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°55.2′N 035°32.7′E

Size limits

Beirut Harbour: Draught 13.0m.

Dora terminal CBM: LOA 200m, draught 11.6m.

Amchit Port CBM: LOA 200m, draught 14.0m.

Jieh Port: EDL CBM: Max 80,000DWT, draught 15.0m, BCM 140m.

Largest vessel handled: "Ypatianna", 96,875DWT, LOA 265m, 12.9m draught.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m. Generally the current is E'ly from morning till noon during spring and summer.

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

Approach

From seaward the harbour is approached through Jun el Khudr and entered between the head of the N breakwater and the W end of the detached breakwater. The breakwater, 2,255m in length protects the quays, access being made via an entrance channel, length 600m; depth 15.5m, minimum width of 240m. Caution should be exercised when entering the port due to new E breakwater and extended land reclamation for new container terminal.

Vessels approaching from the S, are advised to make Ras Beirut Light on a bearing of 132°. When approx 3nm from the light, alter course to 090° until the Eastern end of breakwater is abeam, then alter to 150° to pass Green Buoy. Ras Beirut should be rounded at a distance of at least 0.5nm in order to clear a rocky ledge extending from Ras el-Ghara, 0.45nm S.

Port limits

Port limits are from Quay No 1 to Dora Terminal.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no established VTS scheme in the port.

Anchorages

Anchorage area can be found in front of breakwater and entrance of the port, NE of Beirut in depths of approx 18m, with very good holding ground. Bottom consists of sand. Vessels can shelter 2nm E of the entrance. The entrance is sandy and muddy.

Temporary anchorage may be obtained as convenient N of the harbour breakwater, the greater part of the anchorage has a bottom of rock covered by sand or mud. Vessels should not anchor W of the prohibited anchorage area as the depths are too great.

In winter during rough weather and in order to avoid the heavy ground swell, the best anchor berth is in a depth of 66m with the old lighthouse bearing 170° distance 0.75nm.

Another recommended anchorage is in the vicinity of the SE side of Jun el Khudr in a depth of 18.0m, stiff mud.

Caution: Between Nov and Mar, if strong SW gales shift N of W in the squalls the gale will probably veer to NW and it is therefore necessary to be prepared to proceed to sea or to anchor in Jun el Khudr.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring and fishing are prohibited within 1.25nm of the coast between Ras Minat el Hosn and Ras esh Shamiye, 0.45nm E. Anchorage is also prohibited off the entrance to the Harbour.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs, 1,700hp, 2,600hp and 3,200hp available. Five fire fighting tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 1563, 8178. Admiralty Pilot NP49, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA, to agent, 48 hours in advance, for tankers calling at Medco Terminal, 72 hours notice is required. Container Terminal, ETA should be sent via the agent 48, 36 24 and 12 hours in advance.

Initial contact should be made 12nm from the breakwater with Beirut pilots and port control on VHF Ch 16.

All vessels entering Lebanese Territorial Waters should obtain permission to enter from the Maritime Chamber 36 and 24 hours in advance, through the agent, also call Beirut Port Control on VHF Ch 16 before entering and departing the port.

Communications

Beirut Contact Information

Port Control:

Call sign: Beirut Port Control

VHF: Ch 13 or 16

Telephone: 961-1-580211; 961-1-580212; 961-1-580216

Facsimile: 961-1-58535

Container Terminal:

Telephone: 961-1-562080

Facsimile: 961-1-562064

Medco Terminal:

VHF: Ch 16

Telephone: 961-1-894077

Pilots:

Call sign: Beirut Pilots

VHF: Ch 14

Telephone: 961-1-564223

Standard messages

Approaching vessels must remain in contact with Lebanese Patrol Brigade "Oscar Charlie" on VHF Ch 16/11 when at 20, 12, 6 and 1.0nm from port as well as on arrival at anchorage or berth. Same procedure applies on sailing.

Vessels not adhering to Patrol Brigade instructions are heavily penalised.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon vessel's arrival at anchorage. However, for tankers and as per local practice (dispute remains subject to charter party terms) NOR is accepted at the time of hose connection.

Documents

Load Line Certificate, Safety Equipment Certificate, Tonnage Certificate and Certificate of Nationality to be submitted to port & harbour master delegate - documents should all be valid.

Manifest: 6 copies for the customs and three copies of cargo recapitulation duly signed and stamped by the master along with copy of B/L. Manifests should have visa added by Lebanese Consulate at Port of Shipment or at any port en-route where there is a Lebanese Consulate, if not possible the consular visa dues are collected in Beirut.

In transit:

Pages (number ........) weight (actual weight in kg)

Signed/stamped by the master of the vessel.

Special forms for immigration/quarantine and harbour master will be delivered by the agent upon the vessel's arrival.

Bill of Lading (B/L) descriptions: Description of merchandise should be mentioned clearly on B/L and manifest. If there are several kinds of commodities in one B/L, the agent at loading port should mention all quantities.

Number of packages/marks/kind of packing should also be mentioned but without using general terms.

Concerning containers, the agent at loading port should mention clearly number/kind of package/respective description; otherwise the authorities may use their right to unload the container in order to ascertain the contents.

Concerning pallets, number of cartons or other inside the pallets should be mentioned. All information mentioned on B/L should be identical to those on manifest.

Health

Free pratique can only be granted after vessel's arrival/berthing.

Special forms will be delivered by health authority's representative on the vessel's arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

For officers and crew, a customs allowance of 40 cigarettes per day of vessel's estimated stay in port is granted. Penalties for non compliance are very heavy since Customs authorities are very strict.

Immigration officers board vessel immediately upon arrival and shore passes are thereafter issued to all members of the crew. There are no restrictions on crew/passengers as long as they will be sailing with the vessel. Visas are not granted for arriving crew/passengers for the vessel's stay in Lebanon. A transit visa, valid for 24 hours, between the port and airport is granted for departing crew members on condition that seamen have reserved tickets. For joining crew, owner should advise agent 72 hours prior vessel's arrival in order to arrange entry visa at the airport.

Notices and regulations

Vessels calling at Lebanese ports must have never called at any Israeli port and/or been owned by Israeli interests.

Night navigation along the Lebanese coast is allowed.

Dangerous Cargo Regulations:

Dangerous cargo should be declared to port authority before arrival (break bulk or containers).

Precautions when handling dangerous cargoes, as per IMO Regulations.

Dangerous cargoes are handled at special berths or areas within the port.

Fire watch is compulsory (as per IMO Regulations) when vessels are loading/discharging certain commodities.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Transport, Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport.

Position: Director General of land & Maritime Transport.

Address: George Picot St, Starco Bldg, 3rd floor, Beirut, Lebanon.

Tel: +961 1 372436.

Fax: +961 1 372435.

Mobile: +961 3312385.

E-mail: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Facilities for most types of repairs are available. Divers available.

Dry docks

A slipway on the W side of Basin No 1, with a width of 55m and lifting capacity up to 1,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at the quays or by water boat. Vessels moored on buoys can also be supplied with water from cittern barge, delivery rate is 20/25tph.

Bunkering: Fuel oil is not available, gas oil and diesel available with 48 hours notice.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Medical facilities are available.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Beirut International Airport (8km).

Working hours

Customs and Stevedores: Mon-Thu and Sat 0800-1400hrs, Fri 0800-1100hrs.

Pilot station: Sat 0700-1500hrs. Special arrangements must be made if outside these hours.

Stevedores: Mon-Thu & Sat 0800-1400hrs, Fri 0800-1100hrs.

Warehouse/Quays: Mon-Thu 0800-1600hrs, Fri and Sat 0800-1400hrs. Container Terminal throughout 24 hours.

Sundays: Workable at same hours as on ordinary days, with a 5 hour minimum at overtime rates.

Where it is

Beirut is the capital and primary port of the Lebanon, situated between Nahr Beirut and Ras Beirut, 3.5nm W.

The port

The port itself covers an area of 61ha, half of which is a Free Zone area. There are 4 basins divided into 16 quays, with new deepwater container berths in operation.

The port has facilities for handling most types of vessels including general cargo, containers, bulk carriers and tankers.

Principal exports include cereals, fruit, vegetables, wool, cement and other manufactured goods.

Imports include industrial and manufactured goods, timber, iron and petroleum products.

The Dora and Coral offshore Oil Terminals, close N of Beirut, are under Beirut Port Authority jurisdiction.

The ports of Amchit, 17nm N, and Jieh, 17nm S of Beirut are offshore oil terminals managed by the Beirut Port Authority.

Traffic

Approx 2,100 vessels, 7,980,000t of cargo, 1,300,000TEU and 6,400 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Beirut?

The pilot boards at Beirut pilot boarding place, 33°55.2′N 035°32.7′E.

What time zone is Beirut in?

Local time at Beirut is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 27 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 30 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Beirut?

The deepest berth listed is at Amichet Terminal: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Beirut?

1025.

Which load line zone is Beirut in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Beirut?

The UN/LOCODE of Beirut is LBBEY.

What crews who called at Beirut 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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