Jeddah

Size limits

LOA 400m, draught 14m, beam 61.3m, 240,755DWT

Water density

1030.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range 0.2m. Fluctuations, caused by storms, can increase this range to 0.5m. The summer LW levels are 0.6m below those of winter. During summer, when N winds prevail, many of the banks dry. There is usually 0.9m less water than during the period of S winds which prevail over the S part of the Red Sea in winter.

Care should be taken at all times especially in the approach to Jeddah due to strong variable currents.

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

Approach

Directions for approaching Jeddah: Approach from N: As the mountains are often obscured, the following directions for an approach from N have been recommended.

Northern approach: From a position 10nm SW from Shi'b al Kabir (21°40'N 038°49'E) steer 094°. When Shi'b Qaham Light Beacon (21°27.3'N 039°06.5'E) bears 141°, distance 6.5nm it should be kept on that bearing until 2nm from it; this track lies in a white sector of the light. The N entry is then made through Al Hariq, the outer end of a dredged channel marked by lightbuoys and light beacons, which leads to the main commercial port of Jeddah. The approach channel and harbour basin up to Berths No 51 and 52 have a minimum depth of 16.0m.

A separate 4.5km two way approach channel to the new Red Sea Container Terminal (RSCT) has been dredged to a min depth of 18.5m, with a 650m turning basin.

Southern approach: Approach from S: From a position NNE of Shi'b Mismari, it is recommended to steer NNE with Shi'b Mismari Light bearing 206° astern and then Light Beacon No 31, bearing 026°, ahead; this leads E of a rocky bank and Anchorage "D" and W of Shi'b Jeddah (21°28.5'N 039°06.4'E) and Shi'b Qaham, to the entrance to Al Hariq. The S entry is then made through an outer dredged channel, marked by lightbuoys, which leads to the outer ends of the channels which lead to either JRD Tanker Terminals, Royal Saudi Naval Facility, or the Ammunition Pier.

Port limits

The limits of the port of Jeddah, extend from Ra's al Jahhaz (21°32'N 039°07'E) 1.75nm W, then; 9.5nm S, then; E to the coast at Ra's al Aswad (21°22'N 039°08'E). Vessels are forbidden to enter or navigate within the harbour limits without the approval of the harbour traffic control.

Anchorages

A prohibited anchorage is established S of Anchorage "E".

Restrictions

All vessels must have a Saudi shipping agent before entering Saudi Arabian territorial waters.

Tugs

Twenty tugs ranging from 2,000hp-5,000hp.

Mooring

Mooring is carried out by port stevedoring companies.

Charts and publications

BA 2599, 2577, 2658, 2659. US Publication 172. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA 5 days, 96, 72, 48, and 24 hours in advance to Port Control stating the following.

Vessels bound for JRD Tanker Terminal should send initial ETA as soon as orders are received to proceed to the terminal. ETA should then be confirmed 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival via email ([email protected]).

Communications

VHF: Jeddah Port Control: Ch 16, 09, 12. Tel: +966 12 647 1200, +966 12 627 7000. Fax: +966 12 647 7411. Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 09, 12.

Port Quarantine: Ch 77.

Bunkering Operations: Ch 16.

Saudi Aramco JRD Terminal: Ch 11. Email: [email protected].

Documents

In the case of vessels not carrying any dangerous cargo, arms, ammunition, weapons military hardware, the agent should submit the written declaration as "nil".

The master of the vessel is also required to submit declaration for arms, ammunition, weapons to the port authority along with cell position, stowage position and how stowed. If the vessel is not carrying the above mentioned cargo the master is also required to submit same declaration as nil.

In transit dangerous cargoes should be stored separately.

Health

There is no radio pratique; a doctor boards on arrival and grants free Pratique.

Flags

Every vessel entering the port must hoist the flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and keep it flying throughout the stay in the port.

Notices and regulations

Customs regulations strictly prohibit the landing of alcohol during a vessel's stay in port. Stocks of alcohol and tobacco may only be held onboard under seal. There is no exception to this rule and vessels are liable to a thorough search without notice. Any container of alcohol, whatsoever, found out of the sealed store can result in considerable trouble and heavy penalties.

Vessels may not immobilise their engines without permission from the port authority.

Vessels carrying explosives should fly the appropriate International code flag and declare their cargo to the coastguard who will allocate their berths.

No vessel is allowed to leave the port unless all outward clearance formalities are completed. This regulation applies to vessels calling to embark oil fuel at anchor off the port. Such vessels should request free pratique at least 48 hours prior to arrival.

Failure to place rat guards on mooring ropes is liable to result in a penalty.

Any stowaway found onboard must be kept under guard and under no circumstances be allowed to disembark in Saudi Arabia.

Vessels calling at Jeddah are forbidden to carry dogs.

A guard is placed at the gangway and no crew member or other person is allowed to go ashore without prior permission.

Photography is prohibited at the port area; no photographs can be taken without written permission from the Port Authority.

Any stowaway discovered onboard must be kept under guard; under no circumstances must they be allowed to disembark in Saudi Arabia.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior / Coast Guard.

Position: Head of Port Security Department.

Address: Coast Guard HQ, Riyadh, 11135, Saudi Arabia.

Tel: +966 4020 222

Fax: +966 1 402 0274

Mob: +966 0505 910400

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

Repairs

Available. The King Fahad Ship Repair Yard is one of the most important facilities at the port. The yard comprises of two floating docks, which receive vessels of up to 45,000 tons. There are two additional berths of 170m in length that have the capacity to receive vessels of up to 60,000 tons.

Dry docks

Slipways for small vessels are situated within the small craft basin located in the SE corner of North Basin of the main commercial port.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Full bunkering facilities. Both fuel and diesel oil can be supplied by barge to vessels anchored in Anchorage "B", the usual designated anchorage position for vessels requiring bunkers is about 0.5nm E of Shi'b Oaham Light (21°27.2'N 039°06.6'E).

Stores: Available.

Medical

Jeddah has more than 11 public and 14 private hospitals.

Transport

Airport facilities: All facilities available.

Nearest airport: King Abdul Aziz International, Jeddah (20km).

Nearest railway: No rail services in the western province of Saudi Arabia.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Jeddah, located on the Red Sea coast, is the principal port of Saudi Arabia.

The port

Jeddah port handling passengers, containers, general cargo, livestock, bulk grain, vehicles and liquid facilities.

The sub port of Shoaiba, under the Port Authority of Jeddah, lies approx 75nm S of Jeddah and comprises three tanker jetties owned by the private power and desalination companies operating in the area.

Traffic

Approx 61,000,000t of cargo, 4,700,000TEU, 4,000 vessels and 130,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Jeddah in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Jeddah?

The deepest berth listed is at Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT): 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Jeddah?

1030.

Which load line zone is Jeddah in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Jeddah?

The UN/LOCODE of Jeddah is SAJED.

What crews who called at Jeddah 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 Jeddah →