Chennai

1. Chennai (Madras) boarding Pilot boards13°07.7′N 080°19.9′E
2. Chennai Chemical Pipeline Terminal boarding Pilot boards13°13.1′N 080°21.9′E

Size limits

LOA 349.65m, draught 16.5m, beam 60m, 321,137DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to April 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.

Tides

Range 1.3m. 1.2m (springs), 0.4m (neaps).

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

Approach

Entrance channel: The length of the channel is approx 3.8nm, with the width gradually increasing from 244m to 410m at the bend portion, then maintaining a constant width of 305m. Depth of inner channel is 18.6 below CD; depth of outer channel is 19.2m below CD; swell allowance is 3.0m. The turning circle is 560m in diameter.

The approach channel to Chennai harbour is dredged to a depth of 19.2m and is marked on each side by numbered lightbuoys. A Racon is situated on the shore approx 2nm NNE of Fort Saint George. The Racon when ahead, bears 257° leading into the charted approach channel. A directional light is exhibited at night.

Vessels should not approach within 0.5nm of the approach channel unless a pilot is onboard.

Leading lights are exhibited at the head of North Pier and on South Quay, 0.55nm SW. These lights in line, bearing 213.5°, lead through the inner leg of the approach channel.

Port limits

The N limit of the port of Chennai (Madras) is the root of the N breakwater of the fishing harbour, the seaward limit is a line running 063° from the breakwater root for 2.25nm, then 090° for 2nm, 180° for 6nm and 270° for 2.0nm and then 292° to the coast near the S limit which is marked by an obelisk 0.5nm S of Fort Saint George.

Tugs

Six tugs available (2x2682hp, 2x2481hp and 2x2500hp), they join vessel just inside the breakwater. Vessel's lines are used for making tugs fast.

Mooring

Berth reservation scheme: Under this scheme a shipping line requiring advance reservation should give its scheduled arrival of vessels at least 3 months in advance. In the case of other vessels, the minimum notice period may be one month. A fee will be charged for berth reservation scheme and this will be equal to at least the berth hire for a day or to 50% of the berth hire charges for the expected stay of the vessel at berth whichever is higher. These charges are in addition to the normal berth hire. If the shipping line does not bring the vessel at the pre-reserved time, then it will forfeit its berth reservation fee given in advance. As far as liner vessels are concerned, the vessels should arrive within six hours of the commencement of the time reserved for the berths and as far as non-liner vessels are concerned, they should arrive within one day of the time indicated for the arrival of the vessels.

Berthing of vessels shall be considered on first come, first served basis. Certain vessels carrying essential commodities will be berthed on a priority basis as per the directive received from the government from time to time. Wherever priority is given, priority charges will be collected as per the rules in force. Even in the order of allotting berth as mention above, preference will be given for vessels carrying cargo intended for Chennai and its neighbour hinterland.

Charts and publications

BA 571, 573. Indian 3001, 3004. Admiralty Pilot NP21, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA at least 48 hours in advance. Permission should be granted from Port Control before anchoring in the waiting area.

Communications

Chennai (Madras) Coast Radio station works throughout 24 hours, callsign "VWM". Vessels with powerful transmitters can contact "VWM" on HF from Singapore, Mauritius or Aden. Information regarding weather transmitted twice daily. Inmarsat communication with agents is possible.

VHF: Pilots: Ch 12 and 14. Continuous watch kept on Ch 16.

Port: Ch 10. Port working channels Ch 71, 72, 73 and 74.

Vessels to use Ch 16 and 10 only. The remaining channels are for port operations. VHF communication with port control on operating channels except urgent cases.

Weather radar is installed on top of the new Chennai (Madras) Port Trust Administrative Office Buildings.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Standard messages

Agents will furnish messages advising prospects of berthing.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered on arrival. Master to be guided by relative Charter Party.

Documents

The above are for submission to customs, imigration and health departments.

Ship's Certificates: Ship's Register, Load Line Certificate, Safety Equipment Certificate, Safety Radio Certificate, Safety Construction Certificate, Ship's articles (if vessel has Indian or Commonwealth flag). Ship's certificates to be handed over to agent's representative in customs house for final entry of vessel. Same returned to master.

Cargo documentation: The concept of a single window clearance is functioning at Chennai Port and the Export Documentation Centre. Bill of Lading, Cargo Manifest, Declaration of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Plan are required.

Health

All vessels arriving from foreign ports have to apply for radio pratique, not earlier than 12 hours and not later than 4 hours before arrival. Pratique message to be addressed "Quarantine Madras" and worded as required by port health authorities. The pilot boarding the vessel grants free pratique if the vessel is healthy in all respects, ie, answer to all health questions being negative. If vessel is coming from yellow fever infected area within 30 days of departure or in case of any infectious disease onboard, port health officer boards vessel and after due inspection grants pratique. Pratique message should take the following form: Name of vessel, ETA, no monkeys onboard, answer to all health questions negative, ports touched in last 30 days with departure dates, request radio pratique. Port health requires sight of Ship Sanitation Control and Vaccination Certificates when vessel is due to leave before issuing clearance for pilots and customs who then issue port clearance.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: One bottle of liquor and one carton of cigarettes is allowed for each crew member per week.

Immigration: Immigration officials will check passports/CDC (Seaman's Books) and issue shore permits. Nationals from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China (mainland) will not be issued with landing permits.

Flags

Courtesy flag to be hoisted from sunrise to sunset. Other flags as required by International Code of Signals.

Notices and regulations

All cargo gear certificates to be valid. Certificates for ropes, shackles and loose gear to be available onboard for inspection by dock safety authorities.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Director-General of Shipping.

Position: Nautical Adviser to the Government of India.

Address: Jahaz Bhavan, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001, India.

Tel: +91 22 2261 0606

Fax: +91 22 2269 4352

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dgshipping.com

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

Repairs

All types of deck/engine repairs possible. Experienced and established marine workshops available. A patent slip, length 162m, in the boat basin, entered on the SW side of the inner harbour, can take vessels up to 900t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at quay side. Can also be supplied to vessels by water barges at a rate of 40tph.

Bunkering: Available. Furnace fuel and marine diesel (heavy) can be supplied at North Quay, West Quay and South Quay at a rate of about 100tph. At least 48 hours notice is required.

Fuel: Heavy oil, marine diesel oil, high flash speed diesel oil, conforming to the following application limits are available from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited with 48 hours notice.

Note: Mode of delivery: Heavy oil , marine diesel oil/high flash speed diesel oil by road tankers and bunker barge.

Stores: Ship supply service: Chennai (Madras) does not operate off shore ship supply services either by the port authority or by private parties. However, certain private firms and individuals have been granted permits to ply their launches within the port limits for the purpose of transporting ships personnel, supply of stores and provisions for vessels waiting at anchorage or for transporting sick crew members off ships.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Vasantha Hospital, 3.5km.

Chennai (Madras) Port Trust Hospital. Arrangements to be made by local agents. Advance notice for medical aid is useful if vessel is anchored/anchoring outside and not coming alongside, as it takes time to arrange for launch etc. Medical assistance is arranged easily if vessel is alongside. Various hospitals and private nursing homes with modern equipment are available. All crew members to be in possession of valid health cards in respect of inoculations/vaccinations against cholera, etc. Facilities for renewal available.

Crew change

Possible. All facilities for effecting crew changes and arranging repatriation exist.

Transport

Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport, 30.3km.

Nearest railway: Royapuram, 2.5km.

Working hours

Normally 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs.

Where it is

Chennai (previously Madras) is situated on the Coromandel coast in SE India.

The port

Chennai has a main harbour enclosed by a breakwater with an entrance protected by an off-lying groyne. On the N side of the main harbour lies Bharathi Dock, sheltered from the N and E and Jawahar Dock lies on the S side of the main harbour. Dr Ambedkar Dock is situated in between these docks and handles cleaner cargoes. The harbour is completely artificial and has facilities for most cargoes.

Principal imports include mineral oils, vehicles, project cargoes, machinery, food grains and chemical fertilisers.

Exports include granite, mineral oils and other POL, textiles excluding cotton yarn, onions, tobacco, leather goods, bone and bone meal, sugar, food grains, quartz, barytes, feldspar and general cargo.

Latterly, the handling of coal and iron ore has shifted to Ennore Port. Chennai is the principal port for car handling.

Traffic

Approx 54,960,000t of cargo, 1,800,000TEU, 1,900 vessels and 47,500 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Chennai?

The pilot boards at Chennai (Madras) boarding, 13°07.7′N 080°19.9′E. Chennai has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Chennai in?

Local time at Chennai is UTC+5:30. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Chennai?

The deepest berth listed is at Bharathi Dock: 16.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Chennai?

1025.

Which load line zone is Chennai in?

Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to April 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.

Who carries out Port State Control at Chennai?

Port State Control at Chennai: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Chennai?

The UN/LOCODE of Chennai is INMAA.

What crews who called at Chennai 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.

Read and add tips for Chennai →