Cape Town

1. Cape Town (Table Bay) pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°53.0′S 018°24.4′E

Size limits

Max LOA 339.6m, beam 63.08m, draught 15m, 306, 317DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range max 1.2m springs; max 0.6m neaps. There is no significant tidal current.

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

Approach

The bay is approached from the N, through W to SSW either through the traffic lanes of the TSS or the inshore traffic zones. The final approach is from the W between Robben Island (33°48'S 018°22'E), and Green Point, 5nm S, or from the N between Robben Island and the mainland E. The docks are entered via a short fairway, 2nm ENE of Green Point.

The Fairway Racon Buoy position: Breakwater bearing 170° x 1.9nm.

The SE corner of the dredged channel is marked by a lightbuoy.

A pair of lightbuoys, No 1 and No 2, mark the outer end of the channel.

A 1nm long entrance channel from buoys, dredged to 15.9m over a width of 450m, leads from the roads to the SSE to the harbour entrance. The depth at the Entrance Channel is 15.9m, with 15.4m at the entrance to Duncan Dock and 14m at the entrance to Ben Schoeman Dock. The depth in Duncan Dock varies between 9.9m near the Repair Quay to 12.4m at the tanker basin. Ben Schoeman Dock varies from 9m to 15.5m depth.

Port limits

Position of seaward boundaries: Westwards by a straight line between Green Point and Robben Island Lighthouses, and northwards by a straight line from Robben Island Lighthouse E to the eastern shore of Table Bay, then southwards along high water mark, so as to include the foreshore to the Castle, then back to Green Point Lighthouse. The Victoria and Alfred Basins and New Basin are privately owned and operated but the national ports authority retains control over the water areas contained within these basins.

Anchorages

Vessels may enter anywhere within the port limits, except for prohibited areas. Anchorage is prohibited in the dredged channel and approaches up to 2nm NNW of the breakwater light. Its SE corner is marked by a lightbuoy. The holding ground is not good in strong winds.

In winter months there is no safe anchorage during W gales. Vessels should have main engines available and be prepared to get underway and steam seaward when these conditions prevail.

Submarine Cable: A disused submarine cable from Saint Helena lands 0.6nm N of Milnerton Light (33°52.9'S 018°29.3'E) and passes through the west bound lane of the TSS and No 2 anchorage.

Restrictions

Vessels carrying hazardous cargo or explosives are sometimes prohibited from berthing at night. Hazardous tankers are berthed during daylight only.

Tugs

Four Voith Schneider type diesel tugs of 3,900hp each, with a bollard pull of 43t are available. In addition, one 10t bollard tug and three modern diesel launches, speed 10kts, with 3.5t bollard pull, are available. Ordering is at the pilot's discretion. Harbour launches and smaller tugs assist with small craft movements and line running where required. Berths equipped with fire-fighting connections. Dock fire brigade provides fire fighting service.

Standby tugs are compulsory for tankers discharging crude.

Mooring

No immobilisation in port without permission.

Charts and publications

BA 1846,8025, 4148, 4146. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA when 10nm to seaward of the light on the head of the breakwater. ETA should be also sent 96, 72 and 1 hour prior to arrival. For cargo working vessels.

Standard messages

All communications to be directed via agent. Agents will liaise with Authorities regarding berth or working of vessel and keep master, owners or operators informed. Master to contact Port Control 2 hours before arrival on VHF Ch 16 for berthing and pilot instructions.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered on arrival. A vessel is deemed to have arrived on crossing the Imaginary straight line drawn between Green Point and Robben Island Lighthouses.

Documents

Cargo documentation: All documentation handled by agents.

Health

Vessels should contact Agent requesting pratique. Agent who will submit to port health and confirm with the master when pratique is granted. Alternatively vessel can contact Port Health Cape Town via Cape Town Radio and request pratique directly. Although not compulsory cholera and yellow fever vaccinations are recommended.

Customs and immigration

Customs require, two unfreighted container and breakbulk manifests, three days prior to vessels arrival. On completion of vessel, Customs again require a copy of unfreighted manifests plus clients bills of entry for acquitting purposes. Export Customs require an unfreighted manifest and a "Certified True Copy" of all Bills of Lading for acquittal purposes. Custom Officials will board vessel on docking and supply the necessary forms to be completed by Master.

Crew are allowed 200 cigarettes and/or 115gm tobacco, no alcohol allowed for crew. Officers are allowed 200 cigarettes and/or 230gm tobacco plus 1 litre spirits, 3 litres wine and 3 litres (9 cans) beer. After 4 days in port Customs will issue again. Excesses found will be confiscated and a penalty charged depending on quantities.

Immigration Authorities will board vessel on docking and supply the necessary forms for Master to complete. Crew/Passengers are not allowed to leave the magisterial district of Cape Town without prior permission from Immigration.

Mobile eMCS devices will start to be used by immigration officials in the near future to clear crews. Crew members from Visa exempt countries and those holding Visas will be cleared to enter South Africa, but those without Visas will be restricted to the port and not be allowed to enter the country. There should be no movement of uncleared individuals.

Flags

As per international regulations.

Notices and regulations

The regulations for the harbours of the Republic of South Africa are in force within the port limits of Table Bay.

Entry: Traffic Separation Scheme - A TSS is situated in the approaches to Table Bay. This scheme is not IMO-adopted. The South African authorities advise that the principles for the use of the scheme defined in Rule 10 of The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions in Sea (1972) apply.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

Inspection of ships in South Africa

The Director, Shipping Competence, Department of Transport

Private Bag X193, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

Tel: +27 12 290 2904.

Fax: +27 12 290 2914.

ISPS

ISPS Compliance: SA Port Authority (TRANSNET)reports that South Africa's 7 commercial ports are fully compliant with the ISPS Code.

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

Head Office

Tel : (011) 351-9192

Fax: (011) 351-9196

Cell: 083 284 8210

ludwigb@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Richardsbay

Tel.: (035) 905-3146

Fax: (035) 905-3133

Cell: 083 417 2162

yogank@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Durban

Tel.: (031) 361-3771

Fax: (031) 361-3759

Cell: 083 286 2094

HennieST@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

East London

Tel.: (043) 700-2421

Fax: (043) 700-2070

Cell: 083 417 3920

grahamk@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Port Elizabeth

Tel.: (041) 507-1773

Fax: (086) 500-7478

Cell: 083 301 2659

[email protected]

Mossel Bay

Tel.: (044) 604-6273

Fax: (044) 604-6232

Cell: 072 708 4378

deringj@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Cape Town

Tel.: (021) 449-4270

Fax: (021) 449-2274

Cell: 083 376 8826

thembanig@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Saldanha

Tel.: (022) 701-4344/5

Fax: (022) 714-3017

Cell: 083 285 3505

Sonwabog@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Repairs

Workshops: A number of large engineering firms exist, capable of undertaking most major repair work.

Repair Berth: The repair berth is usually fully occupied. It has a length of 456m, a landing wall of 548m and a depth of 12.0m.

Dry docks

Cranes: There are 2 x 15t. The dock can be emptied in three hours.

Note that the drydocks are under almost continuous use and owners should order them as far in advance as possible.

The Administration will not bind itself to absolute fixed dates and reserves the right at all times to assign the drydocks in accordance with what is considered "general port convenience". However, as a general rule, stems are honoured in order of date booking.

Synchro: A synchrolift is also available with a capacity of 1,778t and space to accommodate three vessels each of 61m in length or five vessels with a length of 30-49m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Cape Town has a number of bunkering points within the port supplying marine fuel oil, gas oil and blends and the port services by a bunker barge.

Medical

Various hospitals and clinics are situated in the city. Leewendat Hospital, City Park Hospital, Panorama Hospital, Groote Schuur Hospital, Tygerbery Hospital. Dentist; doctors are on 24 hours call and will also attend off port limits if required.

Crew change

When crew changes are intended, ample notice should be given to enable us to obtain the necessary permission from the Immigration Authorities.

Facilities available include waiting lounge and transport for transferring crew.

Hotels available range from 1-5 star.

In case of personnel transferring from one company vessel to another the same conditions apply except the max time permitted for such transfers is 78 hours. If they have not joined the vessel within this period, repatriation must be arranged forthwith. There are no difficulties for any personnel disembarking for medical reasons.

Transport

Helicopter Service:

Service offered by Court Helicopters for off port storing/crew changes:

Ordering service: Services may be ordered through the vessel's agent in Cape Town or direct through Court Helicopters, Tel: +27 21 215900.

Notice: Minimum notice required is 2 hours providing that all the necessary arrangements have been made for stores and crew handling.

Max payload: Varies according to distance of the rendezvous from Cape Town but a standard max payload to the fixed rendezvous points is normally 1,750kg.

Max operating range: From Cape Town this is 200nm but can be extended under special circumstances.

Medical evacuation: Court Helicopters have special evacuation facilities and stretcher winching capabilities. Range extends to 200nm.

Rendezvous positions: Standard rendezvous positions are 5nm and 12nm W of Green Point Lighthouse. Ship service may, however, be undertaken at any position up to 200nm by prior arrangement.

Communications: Between ship and helicopter VHF Ch 16, 10, 08 and 06 are used.

Nearest airport: Cape Town International Airport (20km). There are bus facilities from the centre of Cape Town which service this airport.

Nearest railway: The port is connected to the national rail network.

Working hours

Port working hours for break bulk cargo.

For docking and sailing vessels throughout 24 hours, 365 days per year.

Working vessels: Mon to Fri: 0600-2200hrs. Sat: No work on Sat, except in case of vessels loading bulk grain ex grain elevator when the hours are 0720-1200hrs with extension to 1400hrs to complete a vessel.

Fruit vessels: Worked 0600-2200hrs if requested by fruit board.

Sunday and public holidays: Work overtime rates 0800-1600hrs. At port manager's discretion, fruit loaders workable Sun, from 0600-1400hrs and 1400-2200hrs.

Overtime, ie, night shift, Sat, public holidays, work will be considered depending on availability of labour which is voluntary outside ordinary time.

Container Terminals: Work throughout 24 hours, every day except Christmas.

Bunkers: are supplied throughout 24 hours 365 days per year.

Where it is

Cape Town is situated in Table Bay on the SW coast of South Africa.

The port

The port consists of four main basins Duncan Dock and Ben Schoeman Dock are the main commercial docks and the private docks consisting of the Victoria Basin and the Alfred Basin, all protected by breakwaters. Good anchorage is found in the bay.

The Western Cape is mainly an agricultural area. Principal cargoes are:

Exports: Deciduous and citrus fruit, wine, spirits and juice concentrates, fish (frozen, salted and dried), dried flowers, fresh produce (potatoes, onions), bulk polymer (yarn), canned foodstuffs, scrap metal, granite blocks, copper ingots, meat (chilled and frozen), clinker cement and corrugated cardboard cartons.

Imports: Steel goods, machinery, paper, sawn timber, logs, floor and wall tiles, chemicals, clothing and shoes, sports goods, meat (chilled and frozen) and bulk maize.

Traffic

Approx 5,200,000t of cargo (excl. vehicles), 843,000TEU and 1,800 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cape Town?

The pilot boards at Cape Town (Table Bay) pilot boarding place, 33°53.0′S 018°24.4′E.

What time zone is Cape Town in?

Local time at Cape Town is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Cape Town?

The deepest berth listed is at Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT): 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cape Town?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cape Town in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cape Town?

Port State Control at Cape Town: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cape Town?

The UN/LOCODE of Cape Town is ZACPT.

What crews who called at Cape Town 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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