Djibouti

Size limits

LOA 399.9m, beam 61.3m, draught 20m, 221,251DWT.

Water density

1027.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

The average height of the water is +1.6m on the coast. Tidal range is 2.8m (between +0.2m and +3.0m). Mean range is 1.8m. The tides do not give rise to tidal currents either in the port or in the approach channel.

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

Approach

Djibouti Bay can be reached via 2 channels, North and East, only the northern channel is marked.

Traditional Channel: The North Pass: The port is normally entered by the North Channel, after rounding Ras Bir, passing to the N of Musha and Maskali Islands until the transit towers situated to the W of the town are sighted. The two transit towers in line bearing 184° from seaward. Both towers exhibit flashing lights which at night time may be easily seen at a distance of 9nm. In daytime the two towers may be first located by sighting Mount Direction, a distinctive conical hill to the S. The nearest transit tower is a white rectangular building with a single wide vertical black stripe while the further tower is a white rectangular building with two broad horizontal stripes.

When on the leading line vessels should proceed to Buoy No 2, on Heron Bank where the pilot will board, the Master is advised to await the pilot slightly N of Buoy No 2.

The South or East Channel: The S or E approach for vessels entering passes S of Musha and the Maskali Islands after clearing the Arab Bank. Vessels using this approach must keep at least 1nm N of Heron Bank until they reach the transit line as described above. The Pinquoin Bank Buoy situated W of the transit line makes a good check point.

The Northern Channel is usually used for vessels proceeding in a NNE direction.

The E Channel is not marked and is not recommended for vessels approaching the port. Approaching from the E of Musha Island by day can be dangerous if visibility is poor.

Anchorages

The anchorage recommended for vessels wishing to anchor outside the harbour or whilst awaiting a pilot is bounded on the N by Banc du Pingouin, on the S by Recif Houmbouli, on the W by a line joining the W ends of these dangers and on the E by a line parallel to the 184.5° leading line, and 0.5nm W of it. Depths in this anchorage are about 20m, mud and sand, good holding ground. There is an anchorage for LASH vessels 0.5nm between Recif and Mole du Fontainebleau (11° 36.36'N 43°07.87'E) 0.6nm ESE, mud, in depths of approximately 12.0m.

There is good holding ground for up to 100 ocean going vessels. The min depth is 7.6m.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in an area extending 0.25nm on either side of the 184.5° leading line between Banc du Pingouin and Recif Hoiumbouli.

Restrictions

DCT max draught in approaches is 24m less UKC plus tide.

Max draught alongside is 18m less UKC plus tide.

Under Keel Clearance (UKC): Is calculated on a sliding scale of vessel's beam, so that with beam less than 34m the UKC in approaches is 0.9m and alongside 0.3m up to beam 57m when the UKC in approaches is 1.49m and alongside is 0.5m. There are no LOA restrictions.

Speed limit in the channel and the port is 6kts.

Horizon Terminal: Cargo operations cease when winds exceed 30kts and hoses dsiconnected at 35kts. Berthing and unberthing movements are delayed in these conditions.

Prohibited Area: extendign up to 3nm offshore between a position about 3.5nm SSE of Plateau du Heron (11°37.32'N 43°.09.00E.09.00E) and the itnernational boundary separating The Republic of Djibouti from Somalia, approximately 8nm further SE.

Restricted Area: Small boats and leisure craft are prohibited from entering an area which includes the main port aera and the SW part of Banc du Heron to a position SW of No 2 Light Buoy (11°37.57'N 47°.07.93'E).

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Mooring Buoys: Five mooring buoys are available, used to moor LASH barges prior to loading/discharging. The general cargo berths can accommodate Ro-Ro vessels with side ramps.

Mooring gangs: Available throughout 24 hours.

Mooring Boats: Four available plus tugs.

Charts and publications

BA 263, 264, 6, 2964. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Communications

Pilot: Should be called at least 2 hours before arrival at Pilot Boarding Station. Outbound vessels one hour prior to departure.

Radio: Djibouti Radio can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours on 500kHz, 2182kHz, 8510kHz and 12707kHz.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

Vessels inbound should establish a continuous listening watch on Ch 12 when abeam Maskali Light Beacon.

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party, generally on arrival at Djibouti pilot station.

Documents

Each vessel Owner, Operator or Charterer expecting to berth a vessel at the Port for the purpose of loading

or discharging cargo shall give the Authority (At the Harbour Office) 48 hours prior notice of the arrival of

such vessel and furnish such information as the Authority may require. Re-confirmation of the vessel's

arrival shall be made by the vessel's Agent 24 hours prior to arrival, and by the Vessel's Master when he is

in VHF radio contact with the Harbour Office (Bureau des Movements).

Entry Manifest: Three (3) copies of inbound cargo manifest and EDI file should be delivered to Statistics Office at least 24

hours prior to the vessel's arrival. Exception will be made for the manifest of vessels coming from

neighbouring ports (less than 24 sailing hours), 12 hours prior to the vessels arrival and for those arriving

Saturdays or the day following a Public Holiday.

Outbound Manifest: The ship agents should deliver within 48hours of vessel departure

Health

Free pratique can be requested by radio and the signal requesting pratique should be sent between 12 and 4 hours before arrival. The Port Health Officer may board with the pilot, or after the vessel's arrival alongside, when free pratique will be granted.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Customs officials do not board vessels as Djibouti is a free port.

Immigration: Immigration officials will board on arrival to obtain the Crew List and a form, completed by the Master. They also issue shore passes for the crew.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres et de la Cooperation, Services des Affairs Maritimes.

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

Repairs

Small repairs can be undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Available. Vessels can be refuelled at the oil berths, but all berths are fully equipped to allow bunkering and commercial operations to take place simultaneously. The oil feed capacity is 300m³/hr. Bunkers are supplied by three major oil companies: Mobil, Total and Shell.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Peltier (1km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (5km).

Working hours

Normally 0720-1400100hrs. The container terminal is operated throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Djibouti is situated at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.

The port

Djibouti is the principal port for the transhipment of Ethiopian cargoes. The main exports are coffee, pulses, beans, oilseeds, oil cakes, hides and skins and the main imports are manufactured goods.

The new port area of Doraleh, 2nm W of Djibouti, has a two berth Oil Terminal on a "T" jetty in deep water. Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) has completed the construction of Phase I, close W of Djibouti main harbour and can berth two large container vessels together.

There are plans for a new port at Tadjourah 20nm to the NW. This, along with a new mineral port at Goubet and a livestock terminal at Doudah, and completion of various port projects in the port area of Djibouti, means that the traditional role of the existing port area has changed. The focus now is on handling general cargo and bulk and providing support services both for Djibouti Port and for other ports and terminals in The Republic of Djibouti. A free port zone with an area of 14ha has been established adjacent to the port.

Traffic

Approx 6,500,000t of cargo, 700,000TEU and 1,840 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Djibouti?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 300GT.

What time zone is Djibouti in?

Local time at Djibouti is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Djibouti?

The deepest berth listed is at Doraleh Container Terminal: 18.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Djibouti?

1027.

Which load line zone is Djibouti in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Djibouti?

The UN/LOCODE of Djibouti is DJJIB.

What crews who called at Djibouti 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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