PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Bizerte
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory within the harbour entrance. The pilot boarding area is situated 0.85nm ENE off the SE end of Dique Exterior. Pilots are available throughout 24 hours except for tankers, daylight only.
Key data
updated Jun 2022Size limits
LOA 250m, beam 46m, draught 10.67m, 122,039DWT.
Water density
1026.
Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Terminal STIR | 10.67 m | 250 m | 2 |
| Bizerte Cement Terminal | 10.50 m | 180 m | 1 |
| Commercial Quay | 9.80 m | 196 m | 5 |
| Cereal Terminal | 9.75 m | 186 m | 1 |
| Tunisian Sugar Terminal | — | 190 m | 1 |
| Sideralba Maghreb Terminal | — | 100 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
The port is approached from Baie de Bizerte and entered either through the N entrance or the S entrance which lie at each end of Dique Exterior, there is a detached breakwater protecting the main entrance between the heads of Jetee Nord and Jetee Este.
Lac de Bizerte and entrance: Baie de Sebra is entered between the silo on the N side, 0.1nm WSW of the light on the N side of the SW end of Canal de Bizerte, and Pointe de Sebra (37°15.5'N 009°51.7'E) 0.55nm SW of the silo.
Goulet de Lac extends for 3nm SW from the SW end of Canal de Bizerte, then turns S into Lac de Bizerte. The main channel of Goulet de Lac has a depth of 12.0m. The channel is marked by lightbuoys, buoys on the N side are black, those on the S side red.
Caution: The S entrance is considered to be preferred for large vessels owing to the strong E current off Jetee Nord and the fact the entrance is much narrower. In addition the S entrance presents a much better aspect for entry between the heads of the breakwaters and into the channel. Dique Exterior should be given a wide berth as it slopes underwater for 37m. The head of Jetee Este should also be given a wide berth due to masonry debris lying off it.
Anchorages
Outer anchorages: The anchorage in Baie de Bizerte is more sheltered and the holding ground is better than at other anchorages off the N coast of Tunisa. Anchorage can be obtained in 30m on the transit of the lights on Jetee Est and the SE end of Dique Exterior, bearing 256° distant 1.2nm from the latter light. Small vessels, if not intending to enter Lac de Bizerte or the channel leading to it, should always take shelter in Avant Port. Tankers normally anchor to the E of the harbour in good holding ground.
Inner anchorages: Large vessels can obtain anchorage in Baie de Bizerte de la Pepiniere (37°15.4'N 009°52.0'E), in depths of 8.4 to 9.9m, good holding. Anchorage can also be obtained for small vessels in the entrance to Baie de Sebra, S of the buoyed entrance channel, in depths of 7.0 to 9.0m. The anchorage should be approached at minimum speed.
Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in Canal de Bizerte and in the dredged channel, and also in the submarine cable area (37°14.8'N 009°50.5'E).
Restrictions
Bridge: The channel leading to Sebra Bay is spanned by a mobile bridge. The lifting road bridge spans Canal de Bizerte 0.5nm within its entrance. It has a vertical clearance of 13m, when closed, and a horizontal clearance of 74m. Request for opening should be made through the port office 30mins in advance.
Tugs
There are 2 x 3,600hp tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 1569. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Merchant Marine and Ports Office.
Position: Merchant Marine and Port Officer.
Address: Batiment Administratif 2060, La Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia.
Tel: +216 7173 7556
Fax: +216 7173 8520
Mob: +216 9833 3089
Email: [email protected]
Telex: 15386
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jun 2022Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
There is a drydock available at Socomena, at the port of Menzel.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at some quays, and by road tanker.
Bunkering: Available alongside and by road tanker.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hôpital Universitaire Bougatfa De Bizerte, 1.0km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Tunis-Carthage International Airport, 66km.
Nearest railway: Gare SNCFT Mateur, 38.8km.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1300hrs, 1400-2000hrs and 2100-0400hrs.
Sat 0700-1300hrs, overtime possible.
During Ramadan month work is 0700-1300hrs, overtime 2200-0300hrs.
About Bizerte
updated Jun 2022Where it is
The port is located in the N of Tunisia approx 70km NW of Tunis.
The port
The ports throughput of traffic is chiefly made up of cement, oil, LPG, grain, RoRo, container, DPP, CPP, steel, sugar, limestone, gypsum and clinker.
The harbour is protected by two jetties, the entrance between these jetties is in turn protected by a detached breakwater giving two entrances.
Traffic
Approx 6,000,000t of cargo, 60,000TEU and 500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Bizerte
What are the pilot arrangements at Bizerte?
Compulsory within the harbour entrance.
What time zone is Bizerte in?
Local time at Bizerte is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Bizerte?
The deepest berth listed is at Oil Terminal STIR: 10.67 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Bizerte?
1026.
Which load line zone is Bizerte in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Bizerte?
The UN/LOCODE of Bizerte is TNBIZ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Bizerte 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.