Bintulu

Size limits

Harbour: Max LOA 299.9m, beam 49m, draught 12.5m, 95,743DWT.

Off Shore: Max LOA 269.2m, draught 15.8m, 151,736DWT.

Water density

1009-1025.

SBM: 1020-1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

HW: 1.72m

LW: 0.70m

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

Approach

A recommended track for deep draught vessels leads approx 50nm SE from a position 3nm SW of Beting Tugau (Parsons Shoal) (03°53'N 112°16'E) to Bintulu Harbour limits.

A similar recommended track leads approx 23nm SW then 9.0nm SSW from a position 9nm NW of Tanjung Payong (03°44'N 113°25'E) to the harbour limits.

The port is approached via a Traffic Separation scheme.

Two dredged channels and buoyed channels lead to Inner Harbours 1 and 2. A resilient beacon with Racon is located at 03°16.38'N 112°57.30'E. The North Access Channel (just outside the entrance to the LNG berths) has a least depth of 10.9m. The channel into the Inner Harbour 1 is dredged to a least depth of 12.6m. South Access Channel and channel into Inner Harbour 2 has a least depth of 11.3m.

The approach channel is entered at Fairway Lightbuoy (03°16'N 112°59'E) moored 4.2nm W of Tanjong Kidurong, which is marked on each side by lightbuoys. The dredged channel is 5.7km in length, 240m in width as far as a turning area, up to 750m in width just outside the entrance to the LNG harbour and has a minimum maintained depth of 15.5m at the outer end, increasing to 16.5m in the turning area.

Entry to Inner Harbour 1: From the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy (safe water) (03°16.1'N 112°58.8'E), which lies 4.5nm W of Tanjung Kidurong, the alignment of leading light leads ESE into a buoyed channel, and then into Inner Harbour 1 passing S of Outer Breakwater. The LNG Harbour is protected by the outer breakwater extending 0.5nm WSW and SSW from Tanjong Kidurong. A light is exhibited from the breakwater head. The approach is dredged to 13.5m and the limit of the dredged area is marked by lightbuoys. A light is exhibited from No 16 Beacon at the head of the LNG Jetty.

Entry to Inner Harbour 2: From the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy, the alignment of leading lights leads ESE into a buoyed channel, and then into Inner Harbour 2. The inner general cargo harbour, E of the LNG Harbour, is entered between an inner breakwater on the N side and a reclaimed area on the S side. Lights are exhibited at each side of the entrance.

Caution: Following new development to the South of the port, the Port Authority should be consulted for the latest information.

Port limits

The harbour limit of Bintulu Port is defined by the arc of a circle radius 10nm, centred on Tanjong Kidurong, extending from a position approx 1nm offshore, SW of the point to a position approx 1nm offshore NNE of the point.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Bintulu port operates a traffic surveillance system, which controls, monitors and navigates vessels within the port limits.

The traffic separation scheme (03°20'N 112°56'E), with anchorages to the NE and SW, has been established in the outer approaches to Pelabuhan Bintulu. The scheme is not IMO adopted.

Vessels should establish contact with Bintulu Port Control Tower on VHF Ch 12 at least 3 hours before arrival at pilot boarding position or when within VHF range, maintaining a continuous listening watch on Ch 12 within Port Limits and Approaches.

Anchorages

Anchorages are established for general cargo, gas tankers, petroleum and waiting vessels. Anchorage can be obtained in a depth of 7.3m, good holding ground, 2.25nm NW from the front leading light structure.

SBM: Facility for tankers up to 350,000DWT, anchorage bounded by the following co-ordinates:

03°24.4'N 112°57.3'E then to

03°21.3'N 112°59.6'E then to

03°22.0'N 113°00.4'E then to

03°26.0'N 113°01.2'E then along the limits of the port position

03°24.4'N 112°57.3'E.

Caution: Dangerous wrecks and a spoil ground lie within the General Cargo Anchorage, about 5nm WSW from the Fairway Lightbuoy.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited within the harbour limit except in the specified anchorages.

Restrictions

When an LNG tanker is in the approach channel, restrictions may be imposed on the movement of other vessels.

Palm Oil Berth: Vessels with LOA over 175m and draught over 11.0m may only berth during daytime. Draught permitted at jetty 12.0m, draught restricted to 11.0m until approach channel dredged.

Harbour: Vessels with LOA of less than 180m and draught 8.0m are allowed movement day and night. Those vessels exceeding LOA 180m are allowed daylight movement from 0600-1800hrs only.

Reference must be made at least 3 days to the Marine Services Division for any vessels exceeding the above restrictions prior to acceptance of vessel.

Tugs

Contact "Bintulu Port Terminal Operator Marine Department", if services are required.

Mooring

Vessels bound for SBM's:

The Berthing Master will board with the pilot at the pilot boarding station.

The Port Safety Officer will board vessels, to inspect the vessel prior to loading.

The use of a tug to assist with berthing and unberthing is compulsory.

Charts and publications

BA 1748, 2100, 3837. Admiralty Pilot NP31. NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival. LNG, LPG and ammonia vessels must give 72 hours notice. When an LNG tanker is in the approach channel, restrictions may be imposed on the movement of other vessels.

Bintulu Terminal: Vessels should send ETA, 72, 48 and 24 hours before arrival and establish contact on VHF Ch 16 or 18, confirming ETA 6 and 3 hours prior to arrival.

Health

Maritime Declaration of Health to be completed on arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Each crew member is allowed 25 cigarettes and 1,135ml of alcoholic drink per day.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Marine Industrial Control Division.

Contact person: Director.

Address: PO Box 12, 42007 Port Klang, Malaysia.

Tel: +60 3 3346 7777.

Fax: +60 3 3168 4454.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.marine.gov.my

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

Repairs

Minor repairs available. Onsite container maintenance and repairs available by PremierPath System Sdn. Bhd.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Supplied via hydrants at the following berths bulk and general cargo berths, container terminal berths and the Petroleum Jetty.

Bunkering: Available at the Petroleum Jetty which is located within the port area, supplied by Petronas Dagangan Berhad and Shell Timur Sdn. Bhd. High speed diesel is available.

Supply also available via bunker barge and road tankers at all berths. Other fuel as well as marine lubricants is obtainable through suppliers.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Columbia Asia Hospital (3km), Bintulu Hospital (4.08km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Bintulu Airport (16km).

Working hours

Shift operation hours: From 0700-1500hrs; 1500-2300hrs and 2300-0700hrs.

Port holidays: The 1st day of Chinese New Year, Jun 1, Hari Raya Puasa, Aug 31 and Dec 25.

Where it is

Bintulu Port is located on the central W coast of Sarawak, approx 20km N of the town of Bintulu.

The port

It is an all weather deep sea port comprising Bintulu Terminal (two SBM's), an outer LNG Harbour, an inner general cargo harbour, an inner Palm Oil Harbour and the berths in the old port of Bintulu. It is well equipped to handle all liquid, bulk, general and container cargo efficiently.

This port is East Malaysia's largest container port and currently one of the largest LNG export terminal in the world.

Traffic

Approx 47,000,000 of cargo, 360,000 TEU and 7,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bintulu?

Compulsory for all vessels over LOA 25m entering or leaving the port water limits.

What time zone is Bintulu in?

Local time at Bintulu is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Bintulu?

The deepest berth listed is at Bintulu Terminal: 15.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bintulu?

1009-1025. SBM: 1020-1025.

Which load line zone is Bintulu in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bintulu?

Port State Control at Bintulu: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bintulu?

The UN/LOCODE of Bintulu is MYBTU.

What crews who called at Bintulu 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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