Es Sider

1. As Sidr pilot boarding Pilot boards30°41.7′N 018°23.8′E

Size limits

LOA 281.2m, beam 50m, draught 22.2m and 166,739DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.5m.

Currents in the area are not predictable, mainly wind induced from SE and occasionally reaching a velocity of 2kts.

Tides do not normally exceed 0.46m from mean level.

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

Approach

As there are few landmarks, the approach to Es Sider is best made parallel to the coast until the oil tanks are detected on radar. The tanks are visible on radar at a distance of approx 30nm and the water tower at approx 20nm.

During the hours of darkness, leading lights and mooring buoy marker lights may be exhibited from time to time. These lights are for the use of pilots and mooring parties, and should generally be disregarded by vessels.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels bound for Libyan ports must pass through a designated Approach Reporting Point, Es Sider 32°43.0'N 019°06.0'E. On arrival at an Approach Reporting Point vessels must report their position, course and speed to the port authority.

Anchorages

The recommended anchorage for vessels awaiting a berth, lies between the parallels of 30°41.4'N and 30°43.0'N and between the meridians of 018°22.0'E and 018°25.0'E. The depth is approx 33m over a bottom of sand and the holding ground is reported to be good.

The boundary of the prohibited anchorage area is indicated by 3 lightbuoys disposed along the northern edge of the area, but these buoys may be extinguished or removed from time to time and should not be relied upon.

Restrictions

The port authority must be informed of vessel's name and ETA.

Segregated ballast systems are mandatory.

Tankers over 20 years old are not accepted.

The oil loading berths are untenable in winds of 21kts or more. Main engines must be kept at immediate readiness both in anchorage and at the berths.

Tugs

Not available but launches are available to assist with mooring.

Charts and publications

BA 176, 3344, 3402. Admiralty Pilot NP49, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Within 72 hours of arrival the terminal should be notified of ETA and the name of tanker. Within 24 hours the same should be notified along with the quantity of cargo required, max draught on departure from Es Sider and deballast time before the vessel can commence loading. Within 12 hours of arrival, name of tanker and ETA should be notified and again 4 hours prior to arrival with precise estimated ETA. The master should call "Es Sider Control" on VHF Ch 08 when at least 2 hour prior to arriving at the pilot boarding station.

Departure: Tankers shall be considered clear to depart from the port when the crude oil loading documents have been delivered to the master and the appropriate authorities have cleared the vessel. Should the vessel's cargo figures exceed the shore cargo figures by an amount greater than 0.45%, the mooring master may delay the sailing of the vessel until the difference has been resolved.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16 and 08.

Vessels are requested to refrain from the use of VHF Ch 08 as it is used for tanker loading communications, when at anchor a continuous listening watch on Ch 16 and Ch 08.

Notice of readiness

Masters should particularly note that the following requirements are necessary before NOR can be tendered.

Documents

Crude oil loading documents should be prepared by the Waha documentation group prior to and during loading operations, to expedite their final completion. When the tanker has been loaded the documents should be completed and endorsed by the customs cfficer and by the representative of the National Oil Corporation. The documents shall then be distributed aboard the tanker and elsewhere, in accordance with previously arranged standard documentation schedules.

The Waha Ullage Report should be completed and correct.

Customs and immigration

The agent will handle all customs and immigration requirements and will also provide the forms and advise on documentation required.

Flags

Tankers should fly the "Q" flag on arrival by day and display a red light over a white light at night to indicate quarantine conditions.

Notices and regulations

Prior to commencing loading, the master should provide the terminal with his exact cargo requirements in writing and whether the vessel will complete loading on the ship or a shore stop. Any changes to the vessel's requirements should also be given in writing.

These notifications should be signed and stamped by the master.

If it is requested by the master of the tanker that the cargo flow should be stopped from the shore at a predetermined tonnage/quantity, it must be clearly understood that Waha Oil Company will not be held responsible for any error, and that in the case of overloading, the excess cargo cannot be pumped back ashore.

Tankers should keep a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 08 and 16, failure could result in losing its berthing turn.

Vessels must be able to commence loading within 3 hours of making fast, bearing in mind the exposed nature of the berths. Should a tanker be unable to comply with this stipulation, Waha Marine Co-ordinator may berth more suitable vessels ahead of her especially in poor weather conditions.

Tankers must provide a pilot ladder, or ladders, constructed and placed in accordance with the latest Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

Tankers having a large freeboard must use a combination of pilot ladder and accommodation ladder. A ship's officer, plus the necessary crew members should be present at the ladder to ensure the safe embarkation and disembarkation of mooring masters and port authorities. All such ladders should be thoroughly tested and inspected before the vessel arrives in the recommended anchorage.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya..

Address: PO Box 390, Tripoli, Libya.

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Not available.

Bunkering: None available.

Medical

Emergency facilities only.

Transport

Nearest airport: Local airfield, for oil company personnel only at Al Sidra Airport, Ajdabiya, 3.6km.

Working hours

The port operates throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week, weather permitting.

Where it is

Es Sider is situated on the Gulf of Sidra.

The port

Currently the offshore oil terminal exports petroleum via two SBM's situated at the seaward end of submarine oil pipelines and 2 CBM's currently closed for operational.

Where does the pilot board at Es Sider?

The pilot boards at As Sidr pilot boarding, 30°41.7′N 018°23.8′E.

What time zone is Es Sider in?

Local time at Es Sider is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Es Sider?

The deepest berth listed is at Es Sider Terminal: 22.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Es Sider?

1025.

Which load line zone is Es Sider in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Es Sider?

The UN/LOCODE of Es Sider is LYESI.

What crews who called at Es Sider 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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