Hodeidah

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 207.87m, beam 36m, draught 9.75m, 66,622DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 150m, BCM 110m, draught 9m, 23,479DWT.

Note: In cases where a vessel's arrival draught exceeds the permitted 9.75m it has been reported that a fine of US$ 3,000 will be levied for every 2.5cm (approx).

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.0m. Tidal port, average 0.8m. (Low water minimum 0.2m, minimum and maximum 1.4m at high water).

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

Approach

The Fairway Lightbuoy (14°58.3'N 42°50.1'E) marks the seaward end of the approach channel to Khawar Katib and Hodeidah. The channel is approx 8.7nm long, 200m wide and dredged to a min depth of 9.4m.

Note: Vessels with an arrival draught in excess of 9.2m, up to max 9.75m should await high tide.

The channel is marked in accordance with the IALA "A" buoyage system.

A shoal of 6.3m depth exists on the N edge of the channel 4.25nm WNW of Ra's ash Shamm disused Lighthouse ESE of No 2 Lightbuoy. From the Fairway Lightbuoy, the channel leads ESE with Ra's ash Shamm disused lighthouse bearing 106°.

After passing between No 3 and No 4 Lightbuoys, the channel turns SE, N of No 5 Lightbuoy. After passing between No 7 and No 8 Lightbuoys, the channel then follows the alignment 149.5° of 2 Leading Light Beacons (black framework towers), the front situated 1nm ESE of the port of Hodeidah, the rear 1.5nm to the SE. In the summer the light beacons may be obscured by haze.

After passing between No 23 and No 24 Lightbuoys, 1.5nm N of the port, the channel turns SSW, W of No 26 Lightbuoy and passing between No 27 and No 28 Lightbuoys follows the alignment 190° of 2 Leading Light Beacons (framework towers, triangle point down topmarks), the front situated SW of the port and the rear 1.25nm farther S, into the harbour basin.

Caution: Less water than charted has been found to lie over shoal banks and all depths may vary from chart datum,

Anchorages

Vessels anchoring to await a pilot should do so in the designated outer anchorage area E of the approach channel, between No 8 Light Buoy (port hand) (14°57.3'N 42°52.7'E) and a point 1.74nm SSE, opposite No 11 Light Buoy E of the channel (starboard hand) Anchorage is in depths from 8.2m to 9.8m in good holding, mud.

Caution: It has previously been reported that the depth of water in the S section of the outer anchorage was less than charted.

Restrictions

It is reported that bulk grain vessels loaded with cargo of more than 30,000t will not be permitted to berth at Hodeidah port. Cargo should be distributed in all hatches and cargo discharged on delivery. Either side (starboard or port side) alongside berthing is possible subject to prior notice to port control.

Reefer, container, passenger and PCTC vessels have priority in berthing. Due to the limited number of berths, waiting time of 1-2 days could be expected subject to port congestion at the time of call.

Caution: A submarine oil pipeline extends from about 1.5nm ESE of Ra's Marsa (15°00.0'N 042°53.0'E) approx 1.3nm SW to the vicinity of two mooring buoys. Further oil pipelines also extend along the SW side of the harbour basin from the tanker berth to the shore SSW of No 1 berth.

Tugs

Compulsory and the following are available, 1 of 3,500hp and 3 of 2,500hp. There are also 2 line boats of 750hp.

Charts and publications

BA 542, 143, 157. US Publication 172. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be advised to agents 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

Vessels must notify port control of their imminent arrival and when they drop anchor on VHF Ch 14 and 16.

Communications

Hodeidah Radio; callsign "4WD", 500kHz.

VHF: Marine Office: Ch 16, 12, 14 (24 hours).

Port: Tel: +967 3 211603 or +967 3 211620, Fax: +967 3 211561.

Documents

All vessel's documents must be readily available for inspection, if so requested.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Hodeidah is a port of entry. A Customs house is situated within the port. Customs/Immigration officers board vessels upon arrival.

Flags

The Yemen Arab Republic flag must be flown on the highest mast from the time a vessel enters Yemen territorial waters until it sails. Non-adherence will result in heavy penalties.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Yemen Coastguard

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 any ports in Yemen, with the exception of Ash Shihr Terminal, Balhaf LNG Terminal and the Port of Hodeidah, 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

There are divers available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside.

Bunkering: DO and FO are available.

Stores: Available through ships chandler appointed by agents.

Medical

In the event of an emergency, medical treatment is arranged by agent. There is a port hospital as well as private and public hospitals and clinics in Hodeidah.

Crew change

Crew change is possible through vessel's appointed agent with copies of Seaman's Book/passport, Crew List and confirmed PTA details.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hodeidah International Airport (8km).

Working hours

Three shifts 0700-1200hrs, 1400-2359hrs and 2359-0200hrs. Meal time 1200-1400hrs. Fridays and holidays (considered as overtime): 0700-1100hrs, 1400-2359hrs, 2359-0200hrs.

Where it is

Hodeidah is located on Yemen's Red Sea coast at the S end of Khawr Katib, approx 92nm S of the border with Saudi Arabia,

The port

The port comprises an 'L' shaped inner harbour including oil terminal sea-island dolphins. Access to the port is via a 15km channel, width 100m, depth 9.4m. The port handles break bulk, tankers, container and Ro-Ro vessels.

Imports: rice, grain, flour, petroleum and fuel oils, metals, hardware, timber, building materials and machinery.

Exports: Coffee, hides and skins, myrrh, sesame oil, dried fruit, seeds, nuts and tobacco.

Traffic

Approx 4,500,000t of cargo and 219,000TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Hodeidah?

Pilotage is compulsory within the dredged channel SE of No 11 Light Buoy and permitted throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Hodeidah in?

Local time at Hodeidah is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Hodeidah?

The deepest berth listed is at Hodeidah Container Terminal: 9.75 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Hodeidah?

1025.

Which load line zone is Hodeidah in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Hodeidah?

Port State Control at Hodeidah: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Hodeidah?

The UN/LOCODE of Hodeidah is YEHOD.

What crews who called at Hodeidah 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 Hodeidah →