Diego Suarez

1. Helodranon' Antsiranana pilot boarding place (a) Pilot boards12°13.5′S 049°19.1′E
2. Helodranon' Antsiranana pilot boarding place (b) Pilot boards12°13.7′S 049°21.4′E
3. Helodranon' Antsiranana pilot boarding place (c) Pilot boards12°13.8′S 049°22.8′E
4. Passe Mtsamboro pilot boarding place Pilot boards12°34.5′S 049°08.1′E

Size limits

LOA 300m, Draught 8.5m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range1.8m, neap range 0.7m.

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

Approach

The approaches to Diego Suarez are not difficult to navigate, by day or at night. At night, Cape Mine Light, Nosy Langoro Light and Tanjon i Bobaomby Light are sufficient guides for approaching the bay, but it is prudent to keep a little further off shore than by day. In low visibility it is essential to identify the various marks, either visually or by radar, before approaching the coast.

Approaching from the N, Nosy Lava (12°11'S 049°23'E), should be identified but no attempt should be made to close Passe d'Orongea until Nosy Volana, 12°13'S 049°22'E is seen either visually or by radar, with Cap Andranomody 0.8nm SW open S of it. Visually the Cape appears reddish when seen above the islet. As the entrance to the bay is neared, Cap Andranomody is more easily identified than Cap Mine Lighthouse with Mont Andramaimbo in the background.

At all times care must be taken to allow for the current.

Deep draught vessels: From a position on the leading line for Port de la Nievre, with Nosy Langoro Light bearing 348°, the track for deep draught vessels, avoiding the shoals in the approach to the port leads W, when the light bearing approx 035° at night in the white sector, 033°-038°, astern leads to the harbour entrance, width 300m and depth 15.2m.

Note: It is recommended during the SE Trades that ocean going vessels berth in the calm conditions at dawn and dusk and with the ingoing stream, due to strong tides set strongly round the N end of the quay.

Anchorages

There are 4 anchorage berths with depths of 8.0-14.0m. Anchorage, which is well sheltered, can be obtained in a depth of 24.0m off the village of Orongea, 12°14'S 049°21'E which stands on the shore of a shallow cove, immediately within Passe d'Orongea, between Cap Andranomody and Pointe de l'Aigle, 0.45nm SW.

Tugs

There are tugs available for berthing and moving lighters, if working cargo from the anchorage.

One tug is required for vessels of more than 3,000GT and two tugs for vessels over 5,000GT.

Charts and publications

BA 1002, 1064, 1116, 3873. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be sent to the harbour authorities at least 24 hours in advance of arrival, giving arrival draught and LOA.

Communications

VHF: Ch 12 & 16.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates renewed.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale.

Position: Director General.

Address: Vice Premature, BP 581, Anosy, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.

Tel: +261 20 222 5860.

Fax: +261 20 222 5860.

Mob: +261 320 229259.

Email: [email protected]

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

USCG Security Levels: The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that, effective Dec 4 2009, it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving to the United States from Madagascar, with the exception of vessels arriving from Toamasina (also known as Tamatave) during their last five port calls.

In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in a Madagascan port; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in a Madagascan port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in a Madagascan port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. (74 Fed. Reg. 45230).

Repairs

Major repairs can be undertaken by SECREN, located on Quay de Commerce.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Military Hospital, 1.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Arrachart Airport, 10.6km.

Airport facilities: Daily connecting flights to Antananarivo International Airport.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1100hrs and 1400-1800hrs, overtime by arrangement.

Where it is

Diego Suarez port also known as Antsiranana located at Antsiranana Bay, one of the largest deep water harbour in Indian Ocean.

The port

A large natural harbour comprising a commercial port with a main quay and anchorage for lightering, also a naval port with drydock facilities. It's activities include fishing and supplying the region with hydrocarbons and conventional goods. However, it's capacity to receive containers was limited as the port was congested and it was not possible to stack them due to the resistance force of the quay.

Where does the pilot board at Diego Suarez?

The pilot boards at Helodranon' Antsiranana pilot boarding place (a), 12°13.5′S 049°19.1′E. Diego Suarez has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Diego Suarez in?

Local time at Diego Suarez is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Diego Suarez?

1025.

Which load line zone is Diego Suarez in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Diego Suarez?

Port State Control at Diego Suarez: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Diego Suarez?

The UN/LOCODE of Diego Suarez is MGDIE.

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