Hamriyah Free Zone Port

Size limits

LOA 250m, beam 55.5m, draught 12.6m, 109,999DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.2-1.5m. The tide for Sharjah can be predicted with reasonable accuracy through use of the tide tables for Shatt Al Arab with the appropriate correction factor for Sharjah applied.

The current along the Sharjah coastline has a predominantly counter clockwise circulation throughout the year and is not generally strong. The strongest current is usually during the month of Jan (0.4kt to 0.8kt) and during the month of Apr (0.6kt to 1.7kts).

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

Approach

The channel Fairway Buoy is situated in approx position 25°32.2'N 055°26.0'E (Mo "A"15s 5M). The main approach channel entrance is located in an approx position of 25°31'N 055°27'E.

The channel length is 2nm, the width is 180m in the seaward channel, 250m in the intermediate channel, and 180m in the near harbour channel.

The channel depth has been dredged to 15.0m and within the harbour to 14.0m and 16.0m alongside Berths No 3 & 4 providing a turning basin diameter of 600m.

Beacons and buoys are placed at the boundary of the channel.

Anchorages

Hamriyah anchorage "A". The customary anchorage area for vessels awaiting loading at the Hamriyah Free Zone Port is a circle 1nm in diameter with its centre in an approx position of 25°33.20'N 055°20.47'E.

Anchorage "B" positioned at approx 25°31.60'N 055°22.83'E for general cargo vessels.

There is an existing SBM located at approx 25°34'N 055°24'E (Sharjah Offshore Terminal). Anchorage within 2nm of the SBM or submarine pipeline is prohibited.

The SBM is fitted with a flashing light and Racon.

This existing SBM may be used as a reference to the LPG Terminal anchorage which is 3nm WSW of the LPG entrance channel.

When within VHF communication range, Masters of vessels should ascertain berthing prospects from the terminal. In all cases where tankers are instructed to anchor, Masters should obtain clearance for their intended anchorage position from the operator.

While at the anchorage awaiting the loading berth, vessels should maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 16 and 71 or as directed by the Port Authority and/or the Terminal Operator.

Restrictions

No berthing may be undertaken by oil tankers during hours of darkness. Masters are cautioned that a 30in submarine pipeline runs 7.6nm from the Hamriyah Oil Terminal to the offshore SBM facility.

During loading it is prohibited for any craft to come alongside vessels while at the Jetty.

Tugs

1 x 3500 HP Tug on station, other tugs are repositioned from Port Khalid.

Mooring

For safety reasons, vessels will be moored with their portside only to the jetty. They should remain adequately secured in their moorings.

Ranging of the vessel is to be prevented by the vessel's personnel by keeping all mooring lines taut. Attention is to be given by vessel personnel to the movement caused by wind, currents, tides and the cargo operation in progress. Adequate mooring of the vessel is the Master's responsibility and the vessel and its owner shall be responsible for all damage to the loading berth and related facilities in any way attributable to the failure of the vessel's personnel to keep all mooring lines taut.

The operator may suspend cargo operations and have the vessel put off the berth for any failure to comply with this provision with all resulting delay to be for the account of the vessel. Vessel's personnel should be at their duty stations and alert at all times during mooring, unmooring, hose handling and cargo operations.

Ships fitted with automatic tension winches should not use such winches in the automatic mode as they may not always hold the vessel in position at the berth.

The vessel's Master will be informed of the approx gravity and loading temperature of the LPG prior to commencement of loading. An official and final figure for specific gravity will be provided as soon as practical after completion of loading.

General berthing information: It is strictly against the law to pollute the waters of the United Arab Emirates and any Master, his vessel and Owners, shall be subject to prosecution by the United Arab Emirates authorities if such pollution does occur.

Charts and publications

BA 3405, 3412, 3175. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Further ETA telexes should be sent to the operator and the operator's designated marine company when the vessel is 48 hours and 24 hours distant from the Hamriyah Free Zone Port, confirming or giving notice of any change in the 72 hour ETA and at any other time after the 24 hour ETA telex when a change by more than two hours occurs in the ETA. The 24 hour ETA telex should include a positive statement regarding the vessel's readiness to load on arrival.

Notice of readiness

As no berthing may be undertaken during hours of darkness, the Notice of Readiness will be accepted by the Terminal only between 0600-1500hrs provided that the vessel is apparently ready in all respects to moor and receive the cargo. Notice of Readiness will not be accepted during a period when the port is closed on account of adverse weather and may not be accepted if the vessel arrives prior to the date upon which it is nominated to load.

Berthing is not allowed during winds from the NE.

The foregoing paragraph notwithstanding, in no event shall a Notice of Readiness, whether previously accepted or not, be valid or binding on the terminal unless and until such times as the vessel, her tanks and equipment, are, in fact, in every respect whatsoever in the proper condition and operation to receive the cargo.

Documents

Cargo documentation: Before and after completion of loading operations, the vessel shall be ullaged. A Bill of Lading, Cargo Manifest, Ullage Report, Time Sheet, Certificate of Quality, Certificate of Quantity, and Certificate of Origin will be completed. All such documents will be signed by the Master of the vessel prior to the vessel's departure and by the operator's terminal supervisor, as appropriate. If required or requested by the Master of the vessel, the agent of the vessel may sign the documents on behalf of the vessel's Master.

The vessel may depart after receipt of the port clearance document duly signed by the appointed government official and the operator's terminal supervisor.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

Sharjah officials such as the Customs Officer, Quarantine Officer, Immigration Officer, Port Authorities and Police, are stationed in Sharjah town and Hamriyah Free Zone.

Flags

Vessels are required to fly the flag of the United Arab Emirates on the foremast during daylight hours while in UAE waters. The Sharijah territorial waters extend 12nm seaward from the Sharjah coastline.

Notices and regulations

Due to equipment limitations, it is not possible to purge inert gas from arriving vessels.

Only vessels arriving in an LPG purged and cooled down condition will be accepted at Hamriyah Free Zone Port.

Checks made with an oxygen analyser must read at 2% oxygen or lower.

Material Safety Data Sheet: Masters must ensure that crew members are aware of dangerous cargo handled in the port and the precautions in handling such cargo.

Wind speed: LPG carriers allowed to approach the jetty when the wind speed is less than 20kts. The vessels approach speed on to berth should be 0.2kts or less.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior, Central Operation Department.

Address: PO Box 398, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Tel: +971 2 441 5288

Fax: +971 2 441 5266

Mob: +971 50 667 8700

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

Repairs

Lamprell PLC, Ocean Oilfield Drilling Rigs and Marine Engineering Services FZC and Damen Shipyards Sharjah (DSSh) can all facilitate various types of repairs. Damen Shipyards Sharjah (DSSh) is equipped with a 5,200t ship lift with a platform dimension of 120m x 26.5m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Commissary supplies, steward stores, laundry services, fresh water, marine lubricants and bunkers are not available through the operator and may not be loaded at the Jetty.

Any questions concerning the availability of such items from other sources and the loading of such items elsewhere should be handled through the vessel's agent.

Medical

Vessels requiring emergency medical assistance should contact the Hamriyah Free Zone Port security department.

Private doctors and hospital facilities are available in the town of Sharjah.

Crew change

Vessel personnel (other than medical emergency cases) are not allowed to embark or disembark from the vessel at the LPG Jetty. Crew change and shore leave permitted for seamen except LPG vessels at Hamriyah port.

Transport

Sharjah International Airport, 20km E of Port Khalid.

Where it is

Hamriyah Free Zone Port lies 15km N of Sharjah.

The port

The harbour originally constructed for the export of LPG, now handles car imports and general cargo and oil products. The port is divided into two areas, Main Harbour and Inner Harbour, which are operational but Phase III and IV are still under construction.

Main harbour is designed for handling grain products, heavy duty cargoes, oil products, general cargoes, forest products, cement and LPG.

The inner harbour is located in the north part of Hamriyah Free Zone.

There is a SBM operated by BP, offshore of Hamriyah, handling crude and condensate cargoes (see Sharjah Offshore Terminal entry).

Traffic

Approx. 4,681,000t of cargo, 304,612TEU and 2,014 vessels are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Hamriyah Free Zone Port?

Pilotage is compulsory from the seaward entrance of the dredged channel.

What time zone is Hamriyah Free Zone Port in?

Local time at Hamriyah Free Zone Port is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Hamriyah Free Zone Port?

The deepest berth listed is at Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC): 12.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Hamriyah Free Zone Port?

1025.

Which load line zone is Hamriyah Free Zone Port in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Hamriyah Free Zone Port?

The UN/LOCODE of Hamriyah Free Zone Port is AEHZP.

What crews who called at Hamriyah Free Zone Port 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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