Karachi

1. Karachi pilot boarding Pilot boards24°43.4′N 066°55.8′E
2. Pilot boarding place Pilot boards24°32.1′N 067°01.8′E

Size limits

LOA 399.98m, beam 58.6m, draught 14m, 213,114DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer June 1 to Aug 31.

Tides

Mean max range 2.0m, mean min range 1.2m.

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

Approach

Karachi is approached through a dredged channel, 6.2nm in length and 12.2m depth. The channel is marked by lightbuoys in accordance with IALA Area A Maritime Buoyage System.

The port is entered between New Manora Breakwater extending 0.6nm SSE from Manora Point (24°47.35'N 066°58.85'E) and Keamari Groyne Breakwater (24°47.63'N 066°59.18'E).

Vessels over 12.0m draught should only enter Karachi Harbour at HW. If berthing during the SW monsoon it is advisable to let go anchor in mid stream to assist in hauling off.

Leading lights: Front light (framework tower) (24°47.2'N 066°59.6'E); Rear light (framework tower) (840m NE of front light).

From the vicinity of Fairway Lightbuoy K (24°44.7'N 066°57.2'E), the alignment (040°) of these lights leads 3nm NE through a dredged channel marked by lightbuoys (lateral) to the harbour entrance.

Turning Basin: Diameter 425m, 12.0m depth.

Port limits

The seaward limits of the port are bounded by an arc of radius 12nm from Manora Point (24°47.3'N 066°58.8'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel movements are monitored by a Video Management System (VMS)

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: From Sep to May vessels can anchor off Karachi Harbour outside the prohibited anchorage area extending SW from Manora Breakwater, as convenient according to draught. Anchoring in depths of less than 9.0m is not recommended. During April and May they should anchor farther offshore in depths of not less than 12.0m.

During the SW monsoon vessels should not anchor off Karachi as several have lost anchors and cables in attempting to do so in the outer anchorage.

Prohibited anchorages: Anchoring is prohibited within the area which extends 5nm SW of Manora Breakwater.

Anchoring and fishing are prohibited in an area extending 2nm from the coast from a position 2nm NW of Manora Point.

Restrictions

Vessels are required to have a full complement of crew.

The port operates 24 hours subject to weather and port regulations.

It is dangerous to approach to within 2nm of the port without local knowledge.

The port is a restricted area within which all photography is prohibited.

Tugs

A total of 5 tugs available with bollard pulls of 25-40t. Vessels using tugs must also use the services of a pilot.

Mooring

Head and stern moorings at Berth Nos 3-9, are situated on the W side of Lower Harbour fairway between Bunker Island and Baba Pool.

LASH vessel moorings: Berth Nos 1-2, are situated abreast Bunker Island.

Charts and publications

BA 40, 58, 38, 39. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent 15 days prior to arrival for non container vessels and 7 days for container vessels. ETA should be sent to Karachi Port Trust. Additional ETA's should be sent 96, 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

The ETA message should contain the vessel's name, flag, NT, GT, LOA, draught and loading/discharging information. If it is necessary to carry out engine repairs on arrival, request for engine immobilisation must be included with arrival information.

Communications

Karachi Coast Radio can be used for passing messages. The station operates throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Port Authority: Ch 12, 14, 16, 20.

Minaro Pilot Control: Ch 08, 09, 11, 12, 16.

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered during working hours, 0800-1700hrs local time.

Health

A vessel in which there have been either more than two cases of dangerous infectious disease or in which more than two deaths have occurred during the 12 days prior to arrival in Karachi, must anchor in the Quarantine Anchorage at the entrance to the harbour. Vessels in quarantine must not enter the harbour during the hours of darkness.

The Port Health Authorities give automatic clearance on receipt of a clean standard quarantine message and this will be conveyed by the pilot. However, vessels from Yellow Fever areas must be cleared during daylight hours by the Port Health Officer on arrival alongside. On sailing to ports outside Pakistan, a medical inspection takes place on the day before sailing. It is, in theory, necessary for a member of the crew to be present at this inspection.

All vessels which have touched any port or ports between Port Sudan and Durban, on the East Coast of Africa, including these ports, are considered suspected vessels on account of Yellow Fever and Jigger and may not have communication with the shore until cleared at berth by the Port Health Officer, who attends only between sunrise and sunset, except in special circumstances. The incubation period for Yellow Fever under the rules is given as 9 days, but vessels arriving later than 9 days are still not free from quarantine because there is no incubation period for Jigger.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: On arrival the bonded store is sealed by Customs. If the Master requires an issue of cigarettes or alcohol for the duration of the vessel's stay in port, a request should be made to Customs. The quantity allowed is determined by the Customs Officials.

Masters should be aware that the bonded store will be inspected prior to sealing.

Immigration: Issue shore passes for crew members who should be aware that photography is prohibited.

Masters should ensure that all crew are in possession of valid health documents. Pakistani nationals must be in possession of Seaman's Book and flight details one working day prior to arrival.

All non nationals require a visa for entry into Pakistan. Vessel's crew can enter and leave Pakistan on Seaman's documents for purposes of joining vessel and/or on repatriation, for which agent requires Seaman's Books/flight details one working day prior to arrival.

Seaman's Books/passports are required to be collected from Immigration authorities prior to sailing of vessel on surrender of the shore passes.

Certain nationals are not allowed ashore.

Flags

If a vessel does not have the national ensign of Pakistan onboard on arrival, it can be obtained from the vessel's agent.

Notices and regulations

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has introduced regulations for vessels which do not work cargo on Friday. Despite the fact that Friday is a weekly holiday, if a vessel does not work on Friday KPT will impose a fine of Rs10,000-20,000 on the vessel. For vessels to work on Friday labour charges are at overtime rates, that is double the normal charges.

Vessels should also bear in mind that if its performance (loading/ discharging) is not satisfactory or if the vessel is idle, then KPT can shift the vessel to the outer anchorage. Shifting charges, which would be for the vessel's account, are in the region of US$2,000-3,000.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Director of Vigilance.

Position: Head of Designated Authority.

Address: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Bldg, 5th Floor, M.T. Khan Road, Karachi, Pakistan.

Tel: +92 21 920 4063.

Fax: +92 21 920 6398.

Mob: +92 0300 826 1891.

E-mail: dirisps@da-isps-org

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

Repairs

Limited repairs can be carried out at the anchorage, such as hull/deck, engine, electrical and electronic, except in the monsoon season (Mar-Sep). Safety equipment servicing is available. Divers are available.

Two ship repair jetties at N end East Wharf.

Dry docks

Pilot booking for the drydock is essential.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Pak International Hospital (8km).

Crew change

Possible, if holding valid Seaman's Book and visa.

Transport

Nearest airport: Jinnah International Airport (21km).

Where it is

Karachi is located in SE Pakistan, approx 60nm NW of the mouth of the River Indus.

The port

Karachi Port, the largest port in Pakistan, features a 4,903-meter quay wall, 30 dry cargo berths, 3 liquid cargo handling berths and 2 container terminals, along with a naval base and shipyard. It also handles imports such as crude oil, refined petroleum, edible oils, machinery, fertilizers and grain, while exporting raw cotton, cement, rice, textiles and handicrafts.

Traffic

Approx 42,000,000t of cargo, 2,000,000TEU and 1,500 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Karachi?

The pilot boards at Karachi pilot boarding, 24°43.4′N 066°55.8′E. Karachi has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Karachi in?

Local time at Karachi is UTC+5. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Karachi?

The deepest berth listed is at Pakistan Deep Water Container Port (PDWCP): 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Karachi?

1025.

Which load line zone is Karachi in?

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer June 1 to Aug 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Karachi?

The UN/LOCODE of Karachi is PKKHI.

What crews who called at Karachi 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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