PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Jizan
Pilot
updated May 2010- Jizan (Gizan) pilot boarding Pilot boards16°51.7′N 042°27.8′E
Compulsory and available throughout 24 hours. Pilot boards in the area approx 16°53.72'N 042°27.0'E (approx 5nm WNW of harbour entrance).
Key data
updated Nov 2021Size limits
Harbour: LOA 229m, beam 38m, draught 15m, 93,242DWT.
Offshore: LOA 220m, beam 35m, draught 22m, 320,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.7m max.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jizan Refinery - Saudi Aramco | 23.00 m | 295 m | 4 |
| Bulk and General Cargo Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Container Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Commercial Terminal | — | 229 m | 12 |
| Jizan Bulk Plant Terminal | 11.80 m | 220 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2015Approach
The port is formed by two breakwaters, one to the S and one to the NW. The inner entrance channel is over 5nm in length and 200m wide, with a depth of 13.5m.
Inner approach channel to Jizan is marked by Lightbuoys "G1" to "G7", in accordance with IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region "A"). The approach buoy ''Jizan North'', 16°56.75'N 041°17.5'E is fitted with Racon code ''C'', range light (2) in transit, true bearing 096.5° (Front, Q Fl R, Rear: Oc R 4s), leads to port basin through the turning circle with 13.5m depth. The channel is dredged to 13.5m and is 200m in width.
Port limits
Jizan port boundary extends offshore 9nm W from Qarn al Wada (17°00.0'N 042°33.0'E) to Farafir Island; then 7nm S and 5.5nm SSE to Jazirat Hibar and Umm al Kathib, respectively; then 17nm ENE to the shore line near Qarn ash Shurah (16°50.0'N 042°35.0'E).
Anchorages
Anchorage areas "A" and "B", lie 4nm WNW and 3nm WSW, respectively, of the harbour entrance. Anchorage "A" is for cargo vessels and Anchorage "B" for tankers. There are no anchorages outside the harbour boundaries.
Restrictions
An area within which anchorage and fishing is prohibited, and navigation is restricted to vessels under pilotage, has been established between the shore and two SPM berths. The area lies within the following points:
S Breakwater Head
16°50.55'N 042°28.31'E
16°48.08'N 042°29.90'E
16°51.50'N 042°34.55'E (shore).
Four red spar buoys mark the seaward limit of the area.
Tugs
Tugs are available.
Charts and publications
BA 15, 16. Saudi charts 26, 27. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should give their ETA 5 days, 48 and 24 hours before arrival. ETA should be communicated 2 hours in advance to: Gizan Port Management, Fax: +07 317 0777, Telex: 911018, 911030 Ports SJ.
Communications
VHF: "Jizan Port Control": Ch 16: 09, 11, 71, 72, 73.
Pilots: Ch 11, a 24 hour watch is maintained on Ch 16.
Tugs: Ch 12.
Health
All necessary vessels should abide by health regulations and present necessary documents to the authorities in accordance with international laws. Quarantine signals must be displayed by all vessels approaching Jizan port.
Customs and immigration
Consumption of prohibited drinks is not allowed. vessels bonded stores are sealed after the vessel has been granted free Pratique Any prohibited material after this will be confiscated and a corresponding fine will be imposed on the vessel.
Flags
Flags of ships origin to be displayed including quarantine signals.
Notices and regulations
Vessels to comply with all required documentation.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Nov 2021Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available. Not available at Jizan Refinery and Jizan Bulk Plant Terminal.
Bunkering: Available alongside by road tanker. Not available at Jizan Refinery and Jizan Bulk Plant Terminal.
Medical
Modern hospital in the town centre.
Transport
Nearest airport: Jizan Airport (6km from Bulk Terminal).
Airport facilities: Connecting flights to Jeddah and Riyadh.
Ferry services to Farasan.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Jizan
updated Mar 2026Where it is
Jizan (also known as Jazan or Gizan) is situated on E side of the Red Sea, approx 615km SE of Jeddah and approx 60km from the border with Yemen.
The port
Jizan, also known as Gizan or Jazan includes two oil terminal SPM berths. Anchorage is available to the W of Fish Point.
Imports include general cargo, livestock and barley.
Exports include general cargo, foodstuffs and cement clinker.
A refinery, operated by Saudi Aramco, is located approx. 30nm NNW of the main port facility.
JCPDI Port (Port of Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries) is currently a Sub-Port of Jizan.
Traffic
Approx 1,100,0000t of cargo 460,000 passengers and 51 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Jizan
Where does the pilot board at Jizan?
The pilot boards at Jizan (Gizan) pilot boarding, 16°51.7′N 042°27.8′E.
What time zone is Jizan in?
Local time at Jizan is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Jizan?
The deepest berth listed is at Jizan Refinery - Saudi Aramco: 23.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Jizan?
1025.
Which load line zone is Jizan in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Jizan?
The UN/LOCODE of Jizan is SAGIZ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Jizan 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.