Berbera

Size limits

Draught 8.8m, tankers limited to LOA 165m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Tides

Average range 1.6m springs, 0.5m neaps.

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

Approach

From a position 10nm NNW of the harbour entrance the approach leads SSE passing W of a lightbuoy (10°27.1'N 045°58.2'E) and W of a further lightbuoy (01°26.5'N 045°58.3'E) moored about 0.55nm W of Raastamar Light, then through the outer anchorage area to the pilot boarding position. Controlling depth in the harbour approach is approximately 12.0m. There are leading lights into the harbour, the marks of which are difficult to distinguish during the day.

Caution: the navigational buoys are not maintained by the Port Authority. Navigational aids are said to be unreliable and should be treated with caution.

Care should be exercised if approaching Berbera for the first time as the navigational aids may not be visible owing to frequent dust storms.

During trading season (Oct-Mar), the navigational lights at the entrance to the harbour may be difficult to distinguish from the riding lights of local vessels.

Berbera Leading Lights:

Front light (red and white framework tower, 12m in height) exhibited from the outer end of the Custom pier.

Rear light (similar structure, 16m in height) 190m from front light.

The alignment of the leading light leads through the harbour passing (relative to Leading Lights);

SSW of Raastamar Light, 1.5nm W and the S extremity of the sandy pit, then,

NNW of the Oil Terminal (1nm WSW) and SSW of the inner anchorage and the bad weather pilot boarding position, to the area of the harbour off the main commercial quay.

Port limits

In a S direction from Raastamar Light (Tamar Point Light) to a position on the shore close N of the unnamed light on the S side of the harbour (10°25.2'N 044°58.5'E).

Anchorages

A designated anchorage is centred on position 10°26.2'N 045°58.3'E, approx 0.8nm SW of Raarstamar Light. Care should be taken to remain N of the leading line into port when the vessel swings to the wind.

Tugs

Available and compulsory for vessels over 200NT. The tug boat also has fire fighting capability.

Charts and publications

BA 3530. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Caution: Mariners are advised to proceed with caution as lights and lightbuoys are reported removed or unlit. The chart BA 3530 is to be updated with the new positions of lightbuoys when further details become available.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12 and 8122kHz, callsign ''Berbera Port Control''.

Health

All vessels are boarded on arrival by the Port medical authorities, no contact with the shore should be made until pratique has been granted.

Quarantine: Vessels arriving from an infected area must fly International Flag Code Q by day and two red lights, vertically disposed, at night.

Flags

Do not fly Somalian flag as this port is within disputed independent state.

ISPS

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

Repairs

Available for minor repairs plus workshop.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at commercial berths by road tankers. However, it should be noted that between Jun-Sep, fresh water may not be available.

Bunkering: Not available.

Medical

Medical facilities are available in the town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Berbera International Airport (3km) and a commercial airport, Egal Hargeisa, 160km SW of the port.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours every day except Fridays and national holidays.

Where it is

Berbera is situated on the N coast of Somalia, in the SW corner of the Gulf of Aden.

The port

The port is formed by a low sandy spit to the N which acts as a breakwater for the quay to the S. Entrance width is about 800m, with depths between 16.4 and 18.3m, decreasing to 11.0m off the berths. Two anchorages, inner and outer, provide safe anchorage and also act as pilot boarding areas.

Imports include cotton goods, sugar, rice and dates. Exports include skins, ghee, gum, sheep and goats.

General cargo/Bulk berths: The Commercial Quay, length 640m with a depth alongside of 9.8m CD has 5 linear berths and 1 Ro-Ro berth available on the S side of the harbour.

Ro-Ro Berth: Is situated on the W end of the Commercial Quay, vessels use 2 anchors and berth stern on to the ramp.

Container berths: Containers can be handled alongside the general cargo berths.

Shaab Pier: To the NE of the main quay, there is a depth of 5.8m off the head of the pier.

Barbera Oil Terminal: Consists of a steel pier extending 0.25nm NW from S shore of the harbour, close within the harbour entrance. Eight mooring buoys provide a berth for tankers up to LOA 165m and max draught 8.5m. Cargoes are pumped ashore to storage tanks through a submerged pipeline.

Traffic

Approx 240,000t cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Berbera?

Compulsory for vessels above 200NT and available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Berbera in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Berbera?

The deepest berth listed is at Container Terminal: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Berbera?

1025.

Which load line zone is Berbera in?

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Berbera?

The UN/LOCODE of Berbera is SOBBO.

What crews who called at Berbera 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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