PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Calabar
Pilot
updated Apr 2016- Calabar pilot boarding area Pilot boards04°51.0′N 008°17.0′E
Pilotage is compulsory. Vessels should send ETA via Port Harcourt or Lagos Radio 7, 4, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival. Vessels should anchor between Lt. Buoys No. 23 and No. 25 and contact the port on VHF Ch12 or 16 in order to request pilotage. Pilot boarding area lies approx. 22nm SW of West Point in position 4° 51.000'N 8° 17.000'E. Movements are carried out during daylight hours only.
Key data
updated Dec 2020Size limits
Max LOA 199.99m, beam 36m, draught 7m, 66,545DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
MHWS 3.1m; MLWS 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dozzy Oil & Gas Terminal | — | 184 m | 1 |
| Northwest Petroleum & Gas FZE Terminal | — | 184 m | 1 |
| Terminal A (New Port) | 7.00 m | 170 m | 1 |
| Terminal B (New Port) | 6.40 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) | 5.80 m | 160 m | 1 |
| Unicem/Calabar Cement Company | — | 50 m | 1 |
| Terminal C (Old Port) | 4.00 m | 64 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2020Approach
Having crossed Tom Shot Bank through the dredged channel, the track continues N from No 12 Lightbuoy at the N end of that channel. The track then continues N, passing Buoy No 16A and a platform positioned 0.325nm NE of that buoy. Then to No 15 Lightbuoy, after passing a submerged pipe 0.375nm SE of it. Between No 15 and 16 Buoys the depth in the channel is reported to be less than charted. From here the track enters the dredged channel E of Goldfinch Flat. Then following the channel, marked by lightbuoys to the waiting anchorage E of Parrot Island where the pilot boards. From the anchorage the track continues, marked by lightbuoys, to Calabar and Calabar New Port.
The speed of vessels must be reduced in the vicinity of Beecroft Crossing (04°56'N 008°17'E) due to erosion of the river banks.
Port limits
Limits of the port are the parallels of 04°55'N and 05°02'N and the meridians of 008°15'E and 008°20'E.
Anchorages
Good anchorage in calm weather may be obtained in a depth of approx 7.0m, black mud, 0.8nm E of the ruined beacon on Alert Flats (04°40.1'N 008°23.5'E).
Anchorage for small vessels may be obtained in a depth of 6.0m off James Town (04°39'N 008°19'E) at the entrance to Mbo River.
Prohibited anchorage: A submarine cable is laid from abreast Esuk Oron village (04°48.4'N 008°15.7'E) between Parrot Island and Tobacco Island NW and then up river to Henshaw Town. Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of the cable. Anchorage is also prohibited in an area abeam of Ivy Wharf (04°58.2'N 008°19.4'E) in the town of Calabar.
Restrictions
Entry is restricted after 1600hrs during monsoon season.
Vessels are restricted to leaving the port before 1600hrs, unless going to anchor overnight at Parrot Island, then proceed outward at 0600hrs the following morning.
Tugs
Small tugs (240hp) are available to assist in berthing. An ocean going tug is stationed at the port.
Charts and publications
BA 1387, 3118, 3434. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
The ship's agent in Lagos must be advised via Lagos Radio, 7, 4, 3, 2 and 1 days prior to arrival and the same information passed to the Harbour Master by the same means. On arrival the vessel should contact the signal station on VHF and they will request the following information from the vessel.
Communications
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16 and 12.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Nigeria Ports Authority.
Position: General Security Manager.
Address: 26/28 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234 1 264 5894
Fax: +234 1 264 5894
Mob: +234 80 3301 9750.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Dec 2020Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
General Hospital Calabar, 3km.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Calabar International Airport, 5.5km.
Working hours
Normally 0730-2230hrs (2 shifts). Night shift is available by arrangement.
About Calabar
updated Jul 2023Where it is
The old port of Calabar is situated 45nm from the sea, 3nm above the main entrance channel to the Cross River. The new port area is further upstream, 51nm from the sea.
The port
The port consist of terminals within Old Port and New Port area including other private jetties. In recent years, the commercial activities at Calabar are mostly handles at the New Port Complex and other private jetties as a result of the development and expansion of Calabar port.
Traffic
Approx 2,200,000t of cargo, 1,600 TEU and 400 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Calabar
Where does the pilot board at Calabar?
The pilot boards at Calabar pilot boarding area, 04°51.0′N 008°17.0′E.
What time zone is Calabar in?
Local time at Calabar is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Calabar?
The deepest berth listed is at Terminal A (New Port): 7.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Calabar?
1000.
Which load line zone is Calabar in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Calabar?
The UN/LOCODE of Calabar is NGCBQ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Calabar 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.