PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Gopalpur
Pilot
updated Oct 2021Pilotage is compulsory for every vessel of 200GT and more.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
LOA 300m, beam 45m, draught 14.5m, 180,253DWT.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gopalpur Ports | 14.50 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Odisha Sands Complex (OSCOM)/India Rare Earths | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2026Approach
The port is now able to receive deep draught vessels, berthed at the new main quay (depth 12.5m).
There is also a dredged artificial lagoon on the sea beach designed to accommodate barges and small craft. A 380m long and 50m wide approach channel dredged to 3.5m connects the lagoon to the sea. To the N of the approach two sand pumps of 350m³/hr are installed to maintain the required depth of 3.5m for the safe passage of shallow craft.
Anchorages
Vessels are required to anchor in 14.0m to 15.0m with Gopalpur Lighthouse bearing 245° at a distance of 4nm. The anchorage has good holding ground.
Charts and publications
Admiralty Pilot NP21. IN352, IN353, NP286(4).
US Sailing Directions No 173 (India and the Bay of Bengal). US63310.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Director-General of Shipping.
Position: Nautical Adviser to the Government of India.
Address: Jahaz Bhavan, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001, India.
Tel: +91 22 2261 0606
Fax: +91 22 2269 4352
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dgshipping.com
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
About Gopalpur
updated Apr 2026Where it is
Gopalpur is along the coast of Bay of Bengal in the state of Odisha. The port is 90 nautical miles south of Paradip port and 110 nautical miles north of Vishakhapatnam port.
The port
Gopalpur was formerly an open roadstead port, with lightering facilities. Since the new port has been built, with two new breakwaters giving shelter, larger vessels have been able to berth directly at its new quay, all year round. These newer port facilities were recently devastated by Cyclone Hudhud, and port operations ceased for two years. Following repair, commercial operations were re-started and lengthening of the main quay continues.
The port handles fertiliser, rice, wheat, food grains, cement, sugar, coal, metal scrap, rutile, monaxite, zicron, all processed minerals, chrome ore, illmenite, Ircon, Sillimanite, garnet, iron oxide and general cargo.
Traffic
Approx 2,600,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Gopalpur
What are the pilot arrangements at Gopalpur?
Pilotage is compulsory for every vessel of 200GT and more.
What time zone is Gopalpur in?
Local time at Gopalpur is UTC+5:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Gopalpur?
The deepest berth listed is at Gopalpur Ports: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Who carries out Port State Control at Gopalpur?
Port State Control at Gopalpur: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Gopalpur?
The UN/LOCODE of Gopalpur is INGPR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Gopalpur 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.