Gamba

Size limits

Max LOA 277.23m, beam 50m, draught 17,25m, 163,216DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range approx 1.5m, no tidal stream.

Swell: Swell from SW up to 3-4.0m.

Current: The current usually runs NNW (up to 2kts), parallel to the coast.

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

Approach

There are no buoys in the terminal area.

Port limits

An exclusion zone exists around the terminal and is marked on charts of the area. No vessel should enter this area without the pilot onboard.

Traffic schemes and VTS

None.

Anchorages

The recommended anchorage is located 2nm NW of the SBM in a depth of 25.0m, the sea bottom is sand. Anchoring is prohibited within the port limits. Both anchors must be fully secured prior to berthing.

Note: Vessels anchor off Nyanga to load timber. Mayonami, a settlement 5nm upstream from the river mouth, is used as a base for oilfield operations.

Restrictions

Vessel to be fitted with at least one bow stopper.

Arrival draught: The vessel should arrive with the propeller fully immersed and with a max stern trim of 2.5m.

A rectangular restricted area encloses the SBM and the pipelines leading to the refinery onshore. The positions of the two offshore corners of the area are 02°51.6'S 009°55.8'E and 02°54.0'S 009°59.0'E. Vessels should not enter the restricted area without the permission of the terminal authority.

Tugs

There is one standby boat with limited firefighting capacity available. Tugs are not available but the standby boat has limited towing capability and remains moored to the stern of the vessel throughout.

Mooring

Vessels moor with two lines. The port line is connected first, followed by the starboard line. In the event the vessel has only one stopper, the starboard line will be hung off, but not made fast. The vessel will moor to the port line only.

Vessels should prepare a messenger from the port winch through the stopper and bow fairlead to the water. In line with OCIMF recommendations the vessel should use a fixed drum for heaving the messenger.

The mooring boat will have attached a 150m polypropylene messenger to the nylon mooring rope and will be stationed at a distance of 200m from the SBM, in the direction of the hoses.

The tanker will be manoeuvred by the pilot towards the SBM and when the mooring boat is alongside the tanker, it will attach the vessel's messenger to the 150m polypropylene messenger line.

The vessel will heave the messenger onboard as the vessel approaches the SBM. The 150m messenger is attached to an 18m rope, then a 2.0m wire followed by the chafe chain. Once the chafe chain is in position the stopper can be placed on the chain.

When the port chain is made fast the starboard chain is brought onboard in the same manner.

The berthing master's assistant will remain on the forecastle throughout the berthing operation to advise the pilot of relative position of the SBM and advise the crew on manner of connecting ropes.

Vessels should arrive with derrick rigged and topped on the port side (SWL complying with OCIMF recommended) in order to lift onboard the equipment for mooring and for the floating hose connections.

Fire wires: Fire wires are not to be used forward and are not necessary aft.

Charts and publications

BA 305, 311, 3328. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

Communications

VHF: Gamba Marine: Control Room: Ch 06, 12. Tel: +241 0784 0095. Fax: +31 20 794 0844. Email: [email protected]. Throughout 24 hours.

Normal listening channel is Ch 06, working Ch 12. Range approx 30nm. Watch in English language during office hours, 0700-1200hrs and 1400-1700hrs.

Pilot launch: Ch 06 and 12, when at sea, (in French), range approx 20nm.

Standard messages

A pre arrival message is sent to all tankers. This includes details of berthing procedures, contact numbers, plus pre arrival questions and documentation as detailed above.

Notice of readiness

NOR is normally accepted by pilot, at all fast time.

Documents

Cargo documentation: All documentation will be completed by the Berthing/Loading Master. Normally this takes 4-5 hours after the completion of cargo.

Health

Yellow Fever Certificates to be up to date.

Customs and immigration

Customs formalities are normally completed by the pilot, though a customs official may board the vessel with the pilot and would remain onboard throughout the loading operation.

Flags

No additional requirements to Code of Signals and Courtesy Flag.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere de la Marine Marchande.

Position: Joint Secretary General

Address: BP 6795, Libreville, Gabon

Tel: +241 74 78 40 or +241 89 61 91

Fax: +241 74 78 40

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Not available.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

None available.

Medical

Any sickness onboard should be reported in the ETA message. No facilities are available for medical or dental treatment at Gamba. Vessels should therefore call at Port Gentil before or after loading.

Crew change

Not permitted.

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Gentil (local airstrip at Gamba). International airport is at Libreville.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Gamba Terminal is located approx 185km NW of the Gabon/Congo border.

The port

The terminal consists of a tank farm and a SBM some 5nm offshore, is used as the export facility from the Gamba/Ivinga and Rabi/Kounga oil fields in Gabon.

What are the pilot arrangements at Gamba?

Pilotage within the restricted area is compulsory.

What time zone is Gamba in?

Local time at Gamba is UTC+1. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Gamba?

The deepest berth listed is at Gamba Terminal: 17.25 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gamba?

1025.

Which load line zone is Gamba in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gamba?

The UN/LOCODE of Gamba is GAGAX.

What crews who called at Gamba 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.

Read and add tips for Gamba →