PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Haldia
Pilot
updated Jul 2010Compulsory for vessels over 200NT and is available throughout 24 hours. Pilotage should be requested 24 hours before arrival at Eastern Channel. Vessels coming from Mongla/Paradip/Chittagong/Vizag should inform pilot vessel immediately after departure from the last port. Pilot boards N of Lower Gasper Light Vessel in approximate position 21°25.0'N 088°17.5'E. Harbour pilots board at Garden Reach in position 22°33.3'N 088°17.5'E.
Key data
updated Dec 2025Size limits
LOA 250m, draught 8.5m, beam 44.0m, 115,878DWT
Water density
1010-22.
Load line zone
Summer. Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Tides
Range 2.8m. In Sep and Oct high precipitation reinforces the strong ebb stream and vessels moor port side to, stemming the ebb tide, which can exceed 5kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) | — | 235 m | 18 |
| Haldia Container Terminal | 8.50 m | 215 m | 2 |
| Haldia Refinery Terminal | 8.50 m | 250 m | 4 |
| Haldia Floating Terminal | — | 85 m | 1 |
| Haldia Multimodal IWT Terminal | 2.50 m | 95 m | 4 |
| Haldia Outer Anchorage Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2023Approach
Haldia is a river port and draughts and depths are subject to rapid change. Latest information on this is published by the Port in advance every month. All berths are fresh water.
The Haldia dock system is entered through a lock entrance 1.5nm NE of Haldia Point leading to a large turning basin, 548m in diameter, and then to an enclosed dock extending approx 1.5nm NNE. The lock entrance is fitted with three caisson type gates with 300m between the outer and inner gates, a width of 39.6m and a least depth of 10.0m.
Vessels up to 240m in length and beam 32.3m can be accepted. There is a depth of at least 8.5m throughout the turning basin and dock system.
Traffic schemes and VTS
A VTMS is in operation with guidance provided by Hoogli River Pilots. Changes to buoyage/navigational aids positions will be advised by VTMS. Vessels will be guided/instructed by the pilot station as to their movements following arrival at the anchorage.
Anchorages
Haldia Anchorage for LASH vessels.
Open anchorage at Sandheads waiting vessels. Regular anchorage at Sagar is completely sheltered, limited number of vessels and usually pilot is required to stay onboard unless permitted by the port.
Restrictions
Vessels with a 12.1m draught are able to use Haldia throughout most of the year, those with 12.8m draught for 209 days and those drawing 13.4m for about 70 days a year.
Due to the strong ebb tide usually up to 5kts (can be 8kts in July/August rainy season) dangerous cargo vessels moored on the three river berths are required to have extra mooring ropes so that at least 11 ropes each end are available to be used, a constant mooring watch is required whilst alongside. Unmooring can be very hazardous to ships crew due to mooring ropes being let go from shore under tension.
Night Berthing: Haldia Oil Jetty No 2 & 3: Berthing is only permitted in day light and to be berth spring tide only, starboard side alongside. Night sailing not permitted.
STS operations: Carried out at Sandheads Anchorage between October and February in fair weather. When STS not permitted at Sandheads part cargo may be discharged in Visag in order to achieve the draught for Haldia.
Tugs
10 tugs are available, ranging up to 3,400hp, bollard pull up to 45t. Normally only used for berthing at the oil jetty and inside the dock system, the number allotted to be according to port practise.
Mooring
Haldia Oil Jetty No 2 & 3: 4 + 4 + 3 forward, 3 + 4 + 4 aft, (total 22 ropes). Mooring ropes length about 200-220m. Each rope should be a separate coil. No doubling up of rope is permitted. In case of wires, rope tails required for use as breast/springs.
Vessels using the wet dock must agree to double banking, if required by the authorities.
Charts and publications
IN3013, IN301. Admiralty Pilot NP21, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2013Communications
There is no coastal radio station in the port. Messages should be sent via Bahrain radio, Singapore Radio or Calcutta Radio (callsign "VWC").
Pilots callsign "Sandheads" (VWST). Pilot station on SSB frequency 4147.4kHz. Tel: +91 32 1024 0348.
VHF: VTS: Ch 68.
Port and Pilots: Ch 16, calling channel, pilot station, tugs and harbour control, working Ch 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77.
Haldia Port and Haldia Oil Jetty: Ch 16; 10, 11, 12, 13.
Notice of readiness
To be tendered as per terms and conditions of Charter Party. Generally, NOR tendered after anchoring at Sandheads, by master on vessel's arrival advising that vessel is ready to load/discharge the nominated cargo.
Health
Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Contact agent.
Flags
Indian flag should be hoisted at the main mast.
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.
Port services
updated Jun 2020Repairs
Available. Divers available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available, contact agent.
Bunkering: Available, contact agent.
Stores: All stores available.
Medical
Haldia Port Hospital, 4.2km & ESIC Hospital, 8.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra Airport located at Kolkata, 130km.
Nearest railway: Kolkata.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours. Three shifts: 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs, 2200-0600hrs.
About Haldia
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Haldia is situated on the W bank of the Hooghly River, 63nm from the pilot station at Sandheads, in the Bay of Bengal.
The port
The Dock Complex comprises three river oil jetties, two river barge jetties and one wet dock system having 14 berths. Facilities for general cargo, oil tankers and bulk carriers with ore and coal. There is a container terminal designed to handle trade otherwise destined for Kolkata which due to the shallow depths of the upper Hooghly, is now forwarded by inland transport.
Traffic
Approx 50,000,000t of cargo, 215,500TEU and 2,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Haldia
What are the pilot arrangements at Haldia?
Compulsory for vessels over 200NT and is available throughout 24 hours.
What time zone is Haldia in?
Local time at Haldia is UTC+5:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Haldia?
The deepest berth listed is at Haldia Container Terminal: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Haldia?
1010-22.
Which load line zone is Haldia in?
Summer. Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Who carries out Port State Control at Haldia?
Port State Control at Haldia: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Haldia?
The UN/LOCODE of Haldia is INHAL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Haldia 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.