FSO 'Massongo'

Size limits

Max offshore LOA 300m, BCM 200m, draught 22.0m and 310,000DWT.

Note: No draught or LOA restrictions exist at FSO 'Massongo' Loading Buoy.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

In the Kole region, current strength and direction varies frequently. Prevailing currents are tidal. The ebb tide is SE and the flood tide is NNW. Surface speed may reach 3kts. Kole tides are semi-diurnal, the Kole cycle is 15min in advance of the Bonny Town cycle. Max amplitude is 2.3m; mean amplitude for spring tides is 1.8m and for neap tides, 0.9m.

Average max height of the swell at the FSO is 1.2m from Oct to Feb and 1.9m from Mar to Sep.

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

Approach

Operating facilities, located in the Rio Del Rey, are protected by a zone where navigation is prohibited. Prior permission to enter this zone must be obtained.

Anchorages

Anchoring within the prohibited zone and less than 1nm from the Kole loading point is prohibited.

Restrictions

Berthing at the facilities are only authorised during daylight between 0600 and 1800hrs. The latest a vessel may arrive at the anchoring position is 1600hrs, to avoid berthing the following day.

The minimum UKC permitted is 4.5m at SBM KLB2.

Transportation facilities cannot be used by crew from tankers loading at Kole. No regular connection between the terminal and Douala is provided.

A restricted area around the facilities is marked by light beacons and entry is prohibited without permission from the terminal authorities; anchoring in this area is also prohibited. Off the coast of Cameroon there are numerous oil fields and as a result there is an extensive restricted area. The restricted area extends approx 17 miles seaward of the Bakasi Peninsula, within the Gulf of Guinea and governed by Cameroon. Within the restrictive area there are numerous platforms, pipelines, well heads and riser pipes all associated with the oil industry that runs throughout the area. Vessels are prohibited from entering without prior permission.

Vessels may only use the tanker berths when entering the surrounding areas of the restricted zone. All other vessels, not for the tanker berths, must remain at least 2.6nm clear of the associated terminals.

It is worth noting that visibility is often reduced to 1-2nm during harmattan season. Please see weather section for further details.

Pirates operate in the Gulf of Guinea and severe caution must be taken

Tugs

The Douala Port Authority has 4 tugs available.

Mooring

During the final approach, and with a speed of less than 3kts, the vessel will stop at a point situated 1nm at the axis of the buoy in a position of equilibrium facing the resultant wind and current. The tug will proceed to the aft of the vessel for the tug's cable to be embarked onboard.

After the cable has been fastened, the tug will clear off the propeller at a distance of 150m with the cable just touching the water, ready to pull at the request of the pilot.

Mooring ropes are provided. The vessel shall prepare to embark on forward two mooring ropes, one on port side and another on starboard side. Each rope consists of 46m of 13in nylon and 8m of 64mm chafe chain. Furthermore, to facilitate embarkation, each rope is equipped with a 250mm circumference polypropylene hawser approximately 150m long for the port side and 80m for the starboard side.

The hawsers are passed on to the vessel by a second work-boat. The vessel shall prepare two messenger ropes at the bow to embark them.

At the end of berthing, the tug will go at her normal pulling position, that is 450m aft of the vessel.

If meteorological conditions prevent the work-boat bringing the hoses to the vessel, the tug will be assigned to bring them for connection.

The vessel will have, at its disposal, a mooring gang, led by the Loading Master. The mooring gang will assist the vessels and crew and does not replace them. The manoeuvre of the winches and windlasses is exclusively done by the vessel's crew.

Unmooring can be carried out at any time subject to pilots agreement. Tugs will be fastened to vessels stern at 1nm before final approach to the buoy.

Berthing is generally only carried out during daylight hours however operations may continue at night with prior permission from the terminal operator. Vessels may unmoor at anytime.

Charts and publications

BA 1387. French 5380. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Tankers shall notify their arrival by radio 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Notice should be given of any appreciable change to the ETA. Once the vessel is within 52.1nm they must then contact the terminal on VHF.

On notifying ETA, the Master should communicate the following information to the terminal.

Communications

FSO 'Massongo' contact info

VHF: Ch 13, 16

Email: [email protected] (Mooring Master) / [email protected] (Offshore Manager)

Kole Oil Terminal contact info

Call sign: Kole Terminal

VHF: Ch, 11, 12, 16

Telephone: +237 233 421 366

Facsimile: +237 233 400 020

Radio: The coastal station, Douala Radio, operates on the following frequencies: 500kHz and 8178kHz. Callsign "TJC 5", "TJC 6", "TJC 8". Transmitter power 1kW.

Terminal: Radio watch on 500kHz and 2182kHz from: 0800-0830GMT and 1600-630GMT.

Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 16

Documents

EDP: Documents are ready 4 hours after loading completion.

Health

In the event of a contagious disease onboard, contact the Head Doctor or the Douala Border Health Police, BP 1115, Tel: +237 342 3633 through the intermediary of the Port Captain.

Customs and immigration

Customs will board vessel at the same time as the pilot and loading gang.

Flags

All vessels should fly the Cameroon flag during stay at the port.

Notices and regulations

Inspection of tanks after deballasting and ullages after loading shall be performed in the presence of the Loading Master.

The terminal shall place sealed samples of the cargo onboard the vessel.

The vessel shall notify the Loading Master onboard 20 minutes before the end of loading by VHF so that pumping may be stopped when required.

Once vessels are berthed they must have their engines available at all times.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere des Transports, Direction de la Marine Merchande.

Address: BP 416, Douala, Cameroon.

Tel: +237 420308, Fax: +237 428956.

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

ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that vessels arriving at US ports from ports in the Cameroon, with the exception of Ebome Marine Terminal, Quai GETMA facility, and SONARA Terminal, will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures.

Repairs

No repairs of any kind affecting the availability of the vessel's machinery or engines are permitted. Other repairs, including all painting, which present a hazard to the loading operation, are strictly prohibited.

Well equipped repair shops are located in Douala (144km).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh Water: Not available

Bunkering: Not available

Stores: Ships chandlers at Douala can supply the vessels with any stores they may require. However, the distance between the Kole Terminal and Douala (144km) makes this process very problematical. Contact agent.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Medical facilities can be found in Douala. Emergency medical evacuation to Douala is provided at the vessel's expense.

Crew change

Can be arranged by agent from Douala.

Working hours

Mooring only by daylight 0600-1800hrs. Unmooring can be done day and night (prior permission must be attained).

Vessel must arrive at the pilot station before 1600hrs latest.

Where it is

Kole Oil Terminal is located approx. 90nm from Douala, Cameroon.

FSO 'Massongo' is moored approx. 44.3nm W of Limbe, Cameroon.

The port

A crude oil (Kole Crude and Lokele Crude Oil) export terminal, in the NE of the Gulf of Guinea, which consists of an SBM berth for FSO 'Massongo' and two SBM berths (KLB1 and KLB2) in the Kole Oil Field. KLB1 is no longer commercially active.

The FSO has a storage capacity of 315,483m³ and associated SPM mooring buoy can accept export tankers from 50,000 to 280,000DWT whereas the SPM KLB2 can accept export tankers from 50,000 to 310,000DWT. Vessels may only arrive at the FSO and Kole Oil Terminal during daylight hours and loading will be in the means of 16in floating hoses. FSO specifications: LOA 333m, beam 58m and 269,141DWT. FSO 'Massongo' also has dual storage capacity for both Kole Crude and Lokele Crude Oil.

Oil prospection in Cameroon began in 1947 and eventually the Kole Oil Field was put in production in 1977 after the first commercial discovery was made in the Rio Del Rey basin in 1972.

What are the pilot arrangements at FSO 'Massongo'?

Compulsory, via pilots from Cameroon Port Authority (PAD).

What time zone is FSO 'Massongo' in?

Local time at FSO 'Massongo' is UTC+1. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at FSO 'Massongo'?

The deepest berth listed is at Kole Oil Terminal: 22.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at FSO 'Massongo'?

1025.

Which load line zone is FSO 'Massongo' in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of FSO 'Massongo'?

The UN/LOCODE of FSO 'Massongo' is CMKOL.

What crews who called at FSO 'Massongo' 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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