PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
East London
Pilot
updated May 2010- East London pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°00.8′S 027°57.6′E
Compulsory for all tankers and cargo vessels (except if less than 70m and exempted). Official hours 0600-2200hrs. Pilot is available after hours by special request.
Pilot boarding area is 2nm NE of S Breakwater Light. Pilots should be called through East London Port Control on VHF Ch 16. The pilot boat has an orange hull and white superstructure, no helicopter available. Pilot ladders must comply with SOLAS regulations. All vessels with a freeboard in excess of 9.0m must have an accommodation ladder rigged in conjunction with the pilot ladder. Manropes must be provided.
Key data
updated May 2020Size limits
LOA 245m, Draught 10.4m, Beam unrestricted, DWT unrestricted.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 1.7m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain Elevator | 10.40 m | 190 m | 2 |
| Container Terminal | 10.20 m | 236 m | 3 |
| Motor Vehicle Terminal | 10.20 m | 245 m | 2 |
| Oil Terminal | 10.00 m | 203 m | 1 |
| East London | 9.60 m | 200 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2020Approach
Depths of water in the entrance channel and harbour are maintained by dredging with a min depth in the entrance channel of 12.4m and a permitted max draught in the harbour of 10.4m. The entrance channel is not straight and at its narrowest width is 180m, There are no beam restrictions and the maximum allowable LOA 245m.
The recognised position for a vessel arriving at the port is 2nm NE of the main breakwater. No buoys exist.
If approaching from SW, identify Cove Rock (33°05'S 027°49'E) and Bisserton hill and then vessels should keep at least 2nm offshore and in depths of more than 65m until abreast Hood Point.
Approaching from the NE, identify the coast in the vicinity of the black beacon (32°51'S 028°07'E) and then keep at least 2.25nm offshore until abreast Nahoon Point. The conspicuous building, 0.65nm NNW of the head of the S breakwater, bearing 270° is a good mark for approaching the anchorage or waiting for a pilot.
Port limits
Together with the wharves, docks, basins, jetties, piers and harbour works and all harbour and docklands vested with Transnet.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available 1nm E of South Breakwater. Holding ground is good, sand in 35m of water. Caution required as it is exposed.
Tugs
The port operates 2 twin Z-peller tugs with a 43t bollard pull. Tugs are equipped with fire-fighting and salvage equipment.
All tugs are equipped with radar, echo sounders, direction finders, fire fighting and salvage equipment.
Charts and publications
BA 4159,4162. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010Communications
Port Elizabeth Radio, operates throughout 24 hours, on 2182kHz.
VHF: Ch 06 (yachts), 09, 11, 12, 14, 13 and 06. East London Port Control: Calling channel Ch 16; working channel Ch 12. Tugs Ch 16.
Notice of readiness
NOR tendered on arrival (in case of bulk loading NOR will be accepted only when vessel hatches passed clean).
Health
Port Health will advise a vessel directly either granting pratique or requesting further details.
Customs and immigration
Customs will seal bonded stores onboard while vessel is in port. Immigration will check passports onboard.
Flags
The South African flag, the state of registry flag and the International Code flags "Q" (free pratique), "B" (hazardous cargo) and "H" (pilot onboard) are to be exhibited.
Notices and regulations
Vessels discharging petroleum products to complete safety documents that will be supplied by Port Authorities or the terminal operators.
The "South African Railways Regulations for the Harbours of the Republic of South Africa" are applicable within the harbour limits of East London and the "Prevention and Combating of Pollution of the Sea by Oil Act 67 of 1971" as amended is applicable between HW mark and the limit of the fishing zone (presently 12nm out to sea).
A copy of these regulations must be obtained on arrival at the port.
Explosives: To be handled in accordance with IMDG classification. All imports/exports to be cleared by SAPS Directorates of Explosives prior to shipping/arrival.
All export explosives to be loaded immediately upon arrival in port and import explosives delivered immediately upon discharge from ship.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
Inspection of ships in South Africa
The Director, Shipping Competence, Department of Transport
Private Bag X193, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Tel: +27 12 290 2904.
Fax: +27 12 290 2914.
ISPS
ISPS Compliance: SA Port Authority (TRANSNET)reports that South Africa's 7 commercial ports are fully compliant with the ISPS Code.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Head Office
Tel : (011) 351-9192
Fax: (011) 351-9196
Cell: 083 284 8210
ludwigb@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Richardsbay
Tel.: (035) 905-3146
Fax: (035) 905-3133
Cell: 083 417 2162
yogank@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Durban
Tel.: (031) 361-3771
Fax: (031) 361-3759
Cell: 083 286 2094
HennieST@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
East London
Tel.: (043) 700-2421
Fax: (043) 700-2070
Cell: 083 417 3920
grahamk@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Port Elizabeth
Tel.: (041) 507-1773
Fax: (086) 500-7478
Cell: 083 301 2659
Mossel Bay
Tel.: (044) 604-6273
Fax: (044) 604-6232
Cell: 072 708 4378
deringj@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Cape Town
Tel.: (021) 449-4270
Fax: (021) 449-2274
Cell: 083 376 8826
thembanig@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Saldanha
Tel.: (022) 701-4344/5
Fax: (022) 714-3017
Cell: 083 285 3505
Sonwabog@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za
Port services
updated May 2020Repairs
Repair quay adjacent to the dry dock with 6.0m maximum draught and 25m beam restriction.
Dry docks
Dock cranes: 2 x 15t, 1 x 5t and 1 x 4t cranes are available on 4.9m track centres.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at all berths..
Bunkering: Only MDO available via road tankers
Stores: Available.
Medical
Frere Hospital, East London (5km).
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: East London (8km), internal flights only.
Airport facilities: Modern airport; facilities for crew change and airfreight.
Nearest railway: Direct ex-harbour.
Working hours
Mon-Fri, 0600-2200hrs (marine and cargo). Outside these hours, Sat and Sun by arrangement with the Port Captain or Commercial Manager.
About East London
updated May 2020Where it is
East London is situated at the mouth of the Buffalo River, on the SE coast of South Africa (between Port Elizabeth and Durban).
The port
East London is a river port with 11 berths able to accommodate all types of cargoes mainly automotives, containers, bulk liquids, dry bulk free flowing grains, general breakbulk and a drydock for any form of ship bottom repair.
Traffic
Approx 3,200,000t of cargo, 65,000TEU and 300 vessels handled annually.
Questions about East London
Where does the pilot board at East London?
The pilot boards at East London pilot boarding place, 33°00.8′S 027°57.6′E.
What time zone is East London in?
Local time at East London is UTC+2. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at East London?
The deepest berth listed is at Grain Elevator: 10.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at East London?
1025.
Which load line zone is East London in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at East London?
Port State Control at East London: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of East London?
The UN/LOCODE of East London is ZAELS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at East London 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.