Colombo

1. Colombo Boarding Ground A Pilot boards06°59.0′N 079°48.5′E
2. Colombo Boarding Ground B Pilot boards07°00.5′N 079°47.5′E

Size limits

Offshore: LOA 400m, beam 61.5m, draught 16m, 255,288DWT.

Harbour: LOA 251.508m, draught 18.4m, 115,691DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range: MHWS 0.7m, MHWN 0.5m.

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

Approach

The port is approached from the NW and entered through one of two entrances, which lie either side of a detached breakwater, situated between Galbokka Point and Mutwal Point (1.75nm NE).

West entrance: The buoyed channel in the inner part of the approach has a dredged depth of 16.0m into the harbour, with a turning basin 450m in diameter between SAGT and JCT.

Caution: If entering the harbour by the W entrance, vessels should be aware of the set which may occur.

North entrance: The buoyed channel, re-opened in Sept 09 following 10 year closure for security reasons, has a dredged depth of 13.0m. A shoal depth of 8.6m lies 0.1nm N of the head of North East breakwater. Within the breakwaters, the central part of the harbour has a large dredged area, the N part to 14.0m and the S part to 15.0m. Several sections of the area surrounding the central part are dredged to lesser depths. The S end of the harbour is connected to Colombo Lake by a canal with locks.

Caution: A scend of up to 1.0m can be experienced within the harbour thereby reducing depths accordingly. Also depths in parts of the harbour have been reported to be up to 3.0m shoaler than charted.

Port limits

The limits of the port of Colombo extend 9nm offshore in a rectangular area, seawards from the entrance to the port.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There are no designated anchorages off the harbour entrance and the roadstead can be very crowded. Whilst awaiting a pilot, vessels either anchor or drift.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in an area S of the parallel of Galbokka Point on account of submarine cables.

Restrictions

Vessels under sail may only enter between 0600-1800hrs. Other vessels, no such restriction.

Restricted areas: A restricted area is established, radius 1.2nm centred on the SBM in position 06°58.7'N 079°46.5'E.

A restricted area is also established, radius 0.4nm, centred on the SBM in position 07°01.7'N 079°48.8'E.

A restricted area, radius 1,000m, is established around the CBM, centred on the pipeline end manifold (07°00.9'N 079°49.9'E).

Restrictions of between 300m and 500m also apply on either side of the pipelines extending SE then E from the above installations.

Caution: Entry into the above restricted areas is only for vessels using the terminals, and vessels should neither anchor nor trawl in the vicinity of the pipelines.

Restricted area (outfall): All vessels other than fishing vessels are prohibited from entering the restricted area in the vicinity of the sewer outfall (06°58.5'N 079°50.9'E).

LPG CBM: If berthing is not scheduled for arrival the LPG vessel must anchor at least 20nm from Colombo, for security reasons. When berthing is ready the vessel must be 2nm W of CBM at 0600hrs ready for pre arrival inspections. Berthing will be performed during daylight (0600-1600hrs) only, unberthing at any time.

Tugs

Tugs of 1,500-3,500hp range are available from Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Mooring

When a vessel has been moored to the satisfaction of the pilot attendant, the responsibility for ensuring mooring hawsers are properly tended becomes that of the master of the vessel.

Charts and publications

BA 1655, 813, 3700, IN263. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify the agent of ETA 5 days, 3 days and 24 hours prior to arrival. Message to include ETA, draught, last port of call and nationality, details of any dangerous/hazardous cargo, arms/ammunition onboard and that crew (passengers if any) are healthy.

For departure, vessels should contact Colombo Port Control on VHF Ch 16 or 10 stating ETD at least 1 hour before departure and confirm 30 minutes before departure.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered on arrival at Galle Roads.

Master should tender NOR during normal working hours.

Health

Pratique can be applied for a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival via radio.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates have to be authenticated at Colombo.

The port does not have any special health regulations.

Quarantine: The quarantine signal is to be displayed by all vessels arriving in the harbour and no person except the pilot is to be allowed to board or leave the vessel until pratique is given.

Vessels having, or having had within 10 days before arrival, any infectious disease, are placed in quarantine for a period decided by the Chairman of the Board of Immigration and Quarantine. In such a case, the vessel may have to anchor in the roadstead or other place as directed by the master attendant.

Vessels in quarantine should display the necessary signals.

Customs and immigration

Each person is allowed 1 carton of cigarettes and 2 bottles of spirits. Others should be bonded. Penalties vary according to the magnitude of non compliance.

Immigration officers will board vessel on arrival and random inspections of passports may be carried out. No passport will be stamped, unless in the case of disembarkation/repatriation of crew/passengers. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers. However photography within the port premises is not permitted.

Flags

Sri Lanka national flag is required to be displayed whilst in the port. There are no penalties for not complying.

Notices and regulations

Regulations concerning entry:

Entry: Vessels may enter or leave harbour by whichever entrance is more convenient, subject to the depth limitations for the N entrance. At night vessels should pass midway between the red and green lights on the breakwater heads.

Under Keel Clearance (UKC): Vessels are not permitted to navigate the harbour, or lie at berths, with less than 0.6m under keel clearance; except by special sanction of the harbour attendant.

Speed: When a large red flag is displayed on a floating crane, all vessels passing or in the vicinity are to proceed at such speed that they cause no wash or any kind of disturbance affecting the crane.

Dangerous cargoes: To avoid risk of fire or accident, vessels discharging dangerous petroleum are surrounded, at a distance of not less than 30m, by a rope boom floated on red wooden buoys and displaying; by day a red flag over a green flag and by night four lights, red and green alternately vertically disposed.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Sri Lankan Navy.

Position: Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy.

Address: Naval Headquarters, Flagstaff Street, Colombo 01.

Tel: +94 11 246 6236

Fax: +94 11 254 2530

Mob: +94 777 557234

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.navy.lk

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

Dry docks

Divers available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, provided by hydrants at the main alongside berths and dry docks or by lighter.

Bunkering: Available. Marine fuel, gas and diesel oils available by barge at all berths. A wide range of lubricants is also available. Bunkering also available at anchorage.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: National Hospital of Sri Lanka (4km).

Crew change

Possible. Not permitted at offshore terminals, vessels must shift to anchorage before bunkering, storing or crew changes take place.

Transport

Nearest airport: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (25km).

Working hours

Normally 0730-1630hrs and 1630-0400hrs (possibly extended to 0600hrs).

Where it is

Colombo lies on the W coast of Sri Lanka and is the country's principal city and port. Its geographical location straddles the major sea routes between W and E.

The port

A total port area of 201.5ha is enclosed by breakwaters with 2 entrances providing access. A major container transhipment port, which is currently undergoing extensive container berth expansions. The main imports are crude oil, machinery, iron and steel and manufactured goods; exports include sawn timber, crude rubber, machinery, textiles and manufactured goods.

Traffic

Approx 109,000,000t of cargo, 7,000,000TEU, 6,200 passengers and 4,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Colombo?

The pilot boards at Colombo Boarding Ground A, 06°59.0′N 079°48.5′E. Colombo has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Colombo in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Colombo?

The deepest berth listed is at Colombo Marine Terminal: 18.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Colombo?

1025.

Which load line zone is Colombo in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Colombo?

Port State Control at Colombo: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Colombo?

The UN/LOCODE of Colombo is LKCMB.

What crews who called at Colombo 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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