PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Istanbul
Pilot
updated May 2010- İstanbul Boğazı – Karadeniz tarafı kılavuz kaptan alma yeri Pilot boards41°15.1′N 029°07.9′E
- İstanbul Boğazı – Karadeniz tarafı kılavuz kaptan bırakma yeri Pilot boards41°14.4′N 029°09.5′E
- İstanbul Boğazı – Marmara tarafı kılavuz kaptan alma yeri Pilot boards40°55.2′N 028°58.7′E
- İstanbul Boğazı – Marmara tarafı kılavuz kaptan bırakma yeri Pilot boards40°56.5′N 028°54.7′E
Pilotage is available 24 hours.
Key data
updated Apr 2021Size limits
LOA 120, DWT 10000.
Water density
1015.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
HW: 0.07m
LW: 0.02m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anadolu Port Terminal | 12.50 m | — | 3 |
| Salipazari Passenger Terminal | 11.00 m | — | 2 |
| U.N. Ro-Ro Terminal (Pendik) | — | — | 2 |
| Harem Ferry Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| ExxonMobil Terminal (Serviburnu) | — | 120 m | 1 |
| Istanbul Airport Fuel Supply Port (Igaport) | — | — | 1 |
| THY OPET Yesilkoy 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 2017Approach
A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) exists running through The Bosporus, with a Roundabout area in the Marmara Sea near the entrance to the Bosporus (Istanbul Bogazi). See Traffic Schemes and relevant Hydrographic texts for further information.
Port limits
The port of Istanbul, which is centred on the S entrance of Istanbul Bogazi, includes all of Istanbul Bogazi and its S approaches.
The S limit of the port is a line joining Baba Burnu (40°59'N 028°33'E) to a point 2nm S of Baba Burnu and Yelkenkaya Burnu (40°45'N 029°21'E).
The N limit of the port is a line joining Rumeli Light (41°14'N 029°07'E) and Anadolu Light (2nm SE) at the entrance to Istanbul Bogazi.
Traffic schemes and VTS
D refers to:
Turkeli Lt: (41°14.1'N 029°06.7'E) Black Sea Side
Ahirkapi Lt (41°00.4'N 028°59.2'E) Sea of Marmara for The Bosporus
Gelibolu Lt (40°24.6'N 027°41.0'E) Sea of Marmara for The Dardanelles
Mehmetcik Lt (40°02.7'N 026°10.5'E) Aegean Sea for The Dardanelles
Vessels transiting the straits should report to the relevant VTS sector on entry and exit of each sector.
Anchorages
The landing places of submarine cables are marked by inverted black anchor symbols on white boards, which are usually illuminated at night.
Vessels should not anchor within 0.1nm of any submarine cable.
Restrictions
Vessels carrying explosives or flammable cargoes can berth at Zeytinburnu piers only.
Tankers, whether laden or empty and vessels with dangerous cargoes should pass through Istanbul Bogazi during daylight hours only.
The minimum permitted distance between such vessels proceeding in the same direction is 0.5nm. When waiting to make the passage, vessels from S must not proceed E of Ahirkapi Burnu; those from the Black Sea must remain more than 3nm N of the N limit off the port.
The Bosporus bridges have a vertical clearance of 58m at each end and 64m over a central width of 400m (safe passage height, 58m).
Tugs
Compulsory; 1 x 16t for vessels of 2,000-5,000GT, 2 x 18t for vessels of 5,000-15,000GT, 2 x 27t or 3 x 18t for vessels of 15,000-30,000GT, 2 x 30t or 3 x 20t for vessels greater than 30,000GT.
There are 9 tugs available of up to 5,500hp, including two fire fighting tugs.
Charts and publications
BA 1015, 1159, 1198, 8121. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Turkey
Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications
Hakki Turaylic Caddesi No:5 Emek Cankaya, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 203 10 00
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: General Directorate for Maritime Affairs, Port and Coastal Facilities Department.
Position: Head of Department.
Address: Hakki Turaylic Cad. No:5 Emek / Ankara -Turkey, Postcode: 06338
Tel: +90 312 203 10 00
Fax: +90 312 231 33 06
Website: www.didgm.gov.tr
For further ISPS information see IMO website https://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Apr 2021Repairs
Available, the principle repair facilities in the Port of Istanbul are situated at Halic Dockyard and Istinye Dockyard.
Tuzla Bay Dockyards: Approx 30km S of Istanbul is the Tuzla Bay shipbuilding and repair complex, where all types of repairs are undertaken. There is a Ro-Ro pier with a stern ramp berth on each side, on the N side of the harbour entrance.
Salipazari Port: Consisting of the passenger berths of Salipazari and Karakoy quays, the port is approved for development and auction of the operational rights to the port to a private operator.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by barge.
Medical
Nearest hospital: American Hospital (1.6km).
Crew change
Possible. All facilities for effecting crew changes and arranging repatriation exist.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ataturk Airport (17km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Istanbul
updated Apr 2021Where it is
Located at the mouth of the Bosphorus on the Sea of Marmara. It comprises several ports making up three main sections:
1) Inner port is the area that lies within Karakoy (Galata) Bridge (41°01.3'N 028°58.5'E). This water area is also known as Halic or the Golden Horn.
2) Middle port is the area that lies N of a line joining Ahirkapi Burnu Light and Kadikoy Breakwater Light (1.6nm SE) and S of a line that joins Dolmabahce Clock Tower and Kizkulesi Light (Haydarpasa).
Outer port is divided into two parts. The S part lies between the S limit of the port and the S limit of the Middle Port and the N part lies between the N limit of Middle Port and the N limit of the port (Kurucesme).
The port
The port handles cruise, ro-ro, containers and general cargoes.
Questions about Istanbul
Where does the pilot board at Istanbul?
The pilot boards at İstanbul Boğazı – Karadeniz tarafı kılavuz kaptan alma yeri, 41°15.1′N 029°07.9′E. Istanbul has 4 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Istanbul in?
Local time at Istanbul is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Istanbul?
The deepest berth listed is at Anadolu Port Terminal: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Istanbul?
1015.
Which load line zone is Istanbul in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Istanbul?
The UN/LOCODE of Istanbul is TRIST.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Istanbul 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.