Constantza

Size limits

LOA 300m, beam 50m, draught 17.0m, 209,475DWT.

Water density

Average 1014.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 1 to Feb 28/29, Summer Mar 1 to Nov 30.

Tides

Tidal variations are negligible. Under persistent winds tides can reach a max of 0.5m. Main currents run from N-S with a max velocity of approx 1kt.

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

Approach

The observance of 1972 ColRegs is compulsory. The length of the access channel is 6.4nm, depth 21.0m. The width of the navigational channel is 0.8nm. The separation zone has a width of 0.5nm.

Port limits

The port is confined by the N and S breakwaters.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel Traffic Service: This is a mandatory system which applies to all vessels over 300GT and all towing vessels navigating within the area.

An area bounded to seaward by a circle of radius 12nm from the VTS Centre (44°10.2'N 028°39.6'E), to landward by the coast and a line joining the seaward ends of the Constantza breakwaters.

Radar: Radar surveillance is permanently maintained by Constantza Port Control over a sector having a radius of 12nm.

Anchorages

The limits of Constantza Roadstead are designated as follows:

44°10.5'N 028°44.0'E

44°10.5'N 028°49.5'E

44°06.5'N 028°49.5'E

44°06.5'N 028°44.0'E.

The meridians of 028°46.7'E and 028°48.2'E divide the anchorage zone into 3 areas numbered from W to E:

Anchorage outside these areas will be permitted with prior approval from the Port Authority. Holding ground is reported to be good but with a strong S'ly current.

Zone 1: For vessels up to 40,000GT (except tankers)

Zone 2: For vessels over 40,000GT (except tankers)

Zone 3: For tankers, liquefied gas carriers, dangerous cargoes.

The roadstead allows a safe anchorage for 40 to 50 large vessels, the depth is between 25.0m and 30m with the possibility to make a full swing in case of change of wind or current direction. During bad weather, small vessels may enter into the port with the approval of the Harbour Master.

Restrictions

The entrance to the port at night is strictly forbidden for vessels with a draught greater than 12.5m, in particular, tankers.

Tugs

Compulsory for every vessel over 1,000NT, tankers and vessels carrying dangerous cargo. Various size tugs are available throughout 24 hours. A specialised fire fighting brigade is available.

Mooring

There are no unusual berthing and unberthing movements/manoeuvres.

Charts and publications

BA 2230, 2232, 2282, 2284. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Waste notification should be sent at least 24 hours prior to arrival to the following;

Communications

Radio Constantza, callsign "YQI", working frequency: 500, 461 and 2478kHz.

VHF: Harbour Master: Ch 16, 67. Tel: +40 372 419833. Fax: +40 241 618299. Email:[email protected].

Constantza Radio: callsign "Constanta Radio (YQl)". Ch 16, 12, 25. Tel: +40 241 737102. Fax: +40 241 602789. Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 14.

VTS: Ch 67. Tel: +40 372 416809. Fax: +40 372 416810. Email: [email protected].

Towage: Ch 11.

Pollution Department: Tel: +40 372 416804.

Standard messages

According to the International Code of Signals.

Notice of readiness

After granting free pratique, a vessel moored in an operative berth receives "Harbour Master's Coming Alongside Permit" and "Custom's Loading/Unloading Permit". Afterwards the vessel may tender Notice of Readiness.

Health

Sanitary Inspection: Immediately after berthing, the Sanitary Commission checks the condition of health of all persons onboard, the nature of cargo, specifications regarding possible diseases, vaccinations, etc. If there is no contamination danger, free pratique is granted to the vessel.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Small quantities of goods are allowed for each member of the crew. The quantities, for a 5 day stay in the port, are as follows: For the Master, 400 cigarettes and 2 bottles of alcohol; for each member of the crew, 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of alcohol.

The quantities in excess of personal use are put under the Customs seal and may be removed only with the Customs approval.

The Immigration Office in the port of Constantza may grant transit visas for seamen disembarked for repatriation.

Flags

No special requirements.

Notices and regulations

SOLAS 74; MARPOL 73/78; STCW 91.

Vessels with a draught in excess of 12.5m are only handled in daylight.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Constantza Maritime Port Administration.

Address: Incinta Port Constantza, Gara Maritima, 900900, Constantza, Romania.

Tel: +40 241 601097.

Fax: +40 241 619512.

Mob: +40 722 261111.

Email: [email protected].

Website: http://www.constantza-port.ro.

ISPS Designated Authority: Administration of the Navigable Canals.

Address: PO Box 1, 1 Ecluzei Street, Agigea, Constantza, Romania.

Tel: +40 241 738505.

Fax: +40 241 738505.

Mob: +40 722 685782.

Email: [email protected].

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue:

RSO - Security Consultant Services:

Port Security Information:

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

Repairs

There are shipyards in Constantza, Mangalia and Midia. Various facilities for repairs of the hull, engine, electrical and electronic equipment are available. All scales of repairs are possible. A specialised company for underwater repairs is also available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh water supply is through quay installations available at every berth. Supply from water tankers is also available.

Bunkering: Performed with tanker barges inside the port and at the roadstead and it is subject to the Harbour Master's approval.

Medical

The port has a polyclinic and a hospital. The polyclinic works Mon - Fri, between 0800hrs and 1600hrs and on Sat between 0800hrs and 1300hrs. All kinds of medical assistance are available in the town of Constantza.

Crew change

The Immigration Office in the port of Constantza may grant transit visas for seamen disembarking for repatriation.

Transport

Nearest airport: Mihail Kogalniceanu (25km), International Airport.

Nearest railway: Almost every berth is connected to the national rail network.

Working hours

Usually the stevedores' shifts are 0700-1900hrs and 1900-0700hrs. The weekend begins on Sat at 0700hrs and ends on Mon at 0700hrs. Overtime rates apply at weekends and during holidays.

Where it is

Constantza is situated on the W coast of the Black Sea, approx 179nm from the Bosporus and 85nm from the mouth of Sulina waterway through which the Danube flows into the sea, approx 250km E of Bucharest.

The port

It is the principal port of Romania and the largest on the Black Sea. It covers an area of 3,926ha and has a handling capacity of 115,000,000t annually.

The port is protected by the N and S breakwaters, with a combined length of 14.9km. There are 282 berths with a total quay length of 65.4km.

The port complex consists of the Old Port to the N and the New Port to the S.

The North Port is entirely operational and consists of 12 basins, water depth between 7.0m and 13.5m, with 15.5km of quay and 82 berths. It has specialised terminals for ores, coal, crude oil and oil products, grains, chemical products, rolled metals, containers, general cargo, platforms and warehouses.

The South Port is partly operational. There are 13km of quays, 70 operational berths and handling capacities for ores, coal, phosphate, containers, grain, rolled metals, bitumen, general goods, platforms and warehouses. Part of the traffic is handled as Ro-Ro and ferry cargo.

The South Port encompasses the entrance into the Danube-Black Sea Canal at Agigea, which is part of Europe's most important waterway, the Rhine-Main-Danube corridor. In addition, it has a dedicated river/maritime basin for transhipment of cargo into river barges.

Of the cargo handled at Constantza, 80% is bulk cargo. Of that, approx 50% is liquid bulk cargo, mainly crude oil and derivative products and 50% is dry bulk cargo, mainly iron ore and non-ferrous ores, coal, coke, phosphate, apatites, steel products and cereals.

The general cargo consists of imports of industrial equipment, foods, fertilisers and chemical products, textiles, building products, clothes, electrical appliances and furniture.

Exports consisting of furniture and wood products, steel products, fertilisers and chemical products, foods, textiles, glass products, cement and cars.

The port free zone status, which became effective in January 2007, will result in quicker customs clearance, shorter calling times and import tax advantages.

Danube-Black sea Canal: According to the classification of European inland waterways, the Danube-Black Sea Canal ranks in the "Vlc" class of inland canals (length 64.4km, width 90m, water depth 7.0m, draught 5.5m, bridge clearance 16.5m, 2 double locks at Cernavoda and Agigea) and it allows convoys of 6 barges of 3,000t each or vessels up to 5,000DWT.

There are 3 commercial ports along the canal, Cernavoda, Medgidia and Basarabi (see separate entries) available for the transhipment of cargo and passengers.

Traffic

Approx 68,000,000t of cargo (of which appox. 3,000,000 is coal, 3,000,000 is iron ore and 18,000,000t is grain), 800,000TEU, 1,000 passengers and 14,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Constantza?

Compulsory for all vessels, except Navy vessels, vessels used for a public service such as maintenance, control and surveillance of navigation, salvage vessels, training, hospital and leisure vessels.

What time zone is Constantza in?

Local time at Constantza is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Constantza?

The deepest berth listed is at Oil Terminal SA: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Constantza?

Average 1014.

Which load line zone is Constantza in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 1 to Feb 28/29, Summer Mar 1 to Nov 30.

Who carries out Port State Control at Constantza?

Port State Control at Constantza: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Constantza?

The UN/LOCODE of Constantza is ROCND.

What crews who called at Constantza 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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