PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Darica
Pilot
updated Dec 2018Pilotage is compulsory for Turkish merchant ships of 1,000GT and over and foreign ships and yachts of 150GT and over, arriving, departing, at anchor, berthing/unberthing and at the buoys in the Gulf of Izmit.
Vessels proceeding to ports in the Gulf have to take a pilot when entering Izmit Gulf at Darica Pilot Station.
Dekas have 2 pilot stations which are located at the entrance of the Gulf of Izmit and at Yarimca.
Darica Pilot Station: Located at the W entrance of Gulf of Izmit (Darica), 40°45.3'N 029°23.3'E. Pilot boards in position 40°44.7'N 029°21.2'E.
Yarimca Pilot Station: Located near the Korfez Bay ferry boat jetty, 40°46.43'N 029°44.00'E. Tel: +90 262 528 3300, Fax: +90 262 528 5372, VHF Ch 12, call "Dekas Pilot".
Vessels arriving or leaving with a freeboard exceeding 9.0m must use the accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder. The bottom of the ladder should be 1.0m above the water.
Key data
updated Feb 2025Size limits
LOA 199.98m, beam 32.26m, draught 12.8m, 63,656DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.3m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aslan Cimento Terminal | 12.80 m | 200 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2025Anchorages
Anchorages in the Izmit Gulf are as follows:
Dry cargo vessels anchorage:
Darica/Eskihisar: Located at approx 40°46.00'N 029°26.3'E.
Izmit anchorage: Located at approx 40°45.00'N 029°54.0'E.
Explosives, flammables, combustibles, dangerous cargo and tanker anchorage:
Yarimca: Located at approx 40°45.7'N 029°43.00'E.
Tugs
During berthing/unberthing the following tugs are compulsory:
1 x 16t bollard pull for vessels of 2,000-4,999GT;
2 x 18t bollard pull for vessels of 5,000-14,999GT;
2 x 27t bollard pull for vessels of 15,000-29,999GT; or
3 x 18t bollard pull for vessels of 15,000-29,999GT;
2 x 30t bollard pull for vessels of more than 30,000GT; or
3 x 20t bollard pull for vessels of more than 30,000GT.
The pilot will make arrangements for towage.
Depending on the weather and for safety, additional tugs may be requested. Eight tugs are available from 29-41t bollard pull.
Charts and publications
BA 497, 224, 2286. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
In order to avoid possible delays in obtaining a pilot vessels should give as much advanced notice as possible of ETA/ETD. These messages should be confirmed at least 2 hours prior to arrival and departure. All arriving ships should maintain a continuous watch on VHF Ch 12 as soon as they are within VHF range.
Communications
VHF: Dekas Pilots: Ch 16, 12, Call "Dekas Pilot".
Darica Pilot Station: Tel: +90 262 745 38 10 or +90 262 745 38 16, Fax: +90 262 745 38 13
Web: www.dekaspilot.com.
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Turkey
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications
Hakki Turaylic Caddesi No:5 Emek Cankaya, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 203 10 00
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: General Directorate for Maritime Affairs, Port and Coastal Facilities Department.
Position: Head of Department.
Address: Hakki Turaylic Cad. No:5 Emek / Ankara -Turkey, Postcode: 06338
Tel: +90 312 203 10 00
Fax: +90 312 231 33 06
Website: www.didgm.gov.tr
For further ISPS information see IMO website https://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Feb 2025Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at the berths.
Bunkering: Available at the berths.
Stores: Not available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Buyuk Anadolu Hastanesi Darica (4km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (16km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Darica
updated Feb 2025Where it is
The Port of Darica is situated at the entrance to the Gulf of Izmit, on the Northern shore, midway between Izmit and Haydarpasa.
The port
Darica Port, located in Turkey, is a versatile facility that primarily handles bulk cargo and containers.
Traffic
Approx 350,000t of cargo and 80 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Darica
What are the pilot arrangements at Darica?
Pilotage is compulsory for Turkish merchant ships of 1,000GT and over and foreign ships and yachts of 150GT and over, arriving, departing, at anchor, berthing/unberthing and at the buoys in the Gulf of Izmit.
What time zone is Darica in?
Local time at Darica is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Darica?
The deepest berth listed is at Aslan Cimento Terminal: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Darica?
1025.
Which load line zone is Darica in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Darica?
The UN/LOCODE of Darica is TRDAR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Darica 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.