PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kertih Port
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage by the Mooring Master is compulsory and should be requested by agent, 24, 12 and confirmed 6 hours prior to arrival at the port. Unberthing requests should be made at 12 hours, updated at 6 hours and confirmed 2 hours prior to departure.
Contact Marine Control on Ch 16 when within range, and maintain listening watch. Pilot/Mooring Masters board tankers at Pilot Station's 1 or 2 using the pilot or tug boat.
Pilot Ladder: A combination of pilot ladder and vessels accommodation gangway to be rigged for a vessel of freeboard more than 9.0m. Vessels with freeboard of less than 9.0m need only rig the pilot ladder. Air operated pilot hoist are not acceptable.
During the NE monsoon period (Nov-Mar), vessels may be requested to board Mooring Masters off Tanjong Berhala (04°15.5'N 104°28.0'E) approx 20nm SE of the terminal.
Key data
updated Dec 2022Size limits
Harbour: LOA 183m, beam 32.2m, draught 10.50m, 51,022DWT.
Offshore: LOA 251.56m, BCM 44m, draught 20.40m, 115,048DWT
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Currents: The tides off Kertih vary widely, with periods of only one HW and one LW each lunar day, there are also marked inequalities in times and heights of HW and LW.
The ocean currents off the Kertih Coast are the result of the monsoon winds pattern, setting S during the NE monsoon and N during the SW monsoon.
Combination tide and current: The strength of the current is dependent on the strength of the monsoon winds and when winds are strong the current can increase to 2kts or more.
During the NE monsoon the combination of current and flood tide can produce a S running stream of 3kts or more and with a very weak N running stream. The same occurs in reverse during the SW monsoon.
Caution: When at anchor it should be noted that with the tidal streams and currents in "conjunction" they can exceed 3kts in strong winds and as the holding ground is not good, it is important that a very careful check is kept on the ship's position at all times.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCOT- SALM | 20.40 m | 252 m | 2 |
| PP(T) SB- SPM | 11.10 m | 248 m | 1 |
| Kertih Marine Facilities | 10.50 m | 183 m | 6 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2021Approach
Approaches: There are two approach channels:
North Approach: A 250m wide channel with a dredged depth of 10.0m CD leads to the berths and breakwater from the NE.
South Approach: A min water depth of 12.5m CD leads to the buoy moorings and berths from the south.
There are no known outlying dangers if approach to the anchorage area is made from the NE-SE quadrant.
During the NE Monsoon the usual practice is to enter from the Southern entrance and exit through the Northern entrance and in reverse during the SW Monsoon period, draught limitations permitting.
Kertih Port Sea Lightbuoy, (04°32.0'N 103°34.9'E), pillar buoy, red and white vertical stripe, Fl(W)10s.
A restricted area extending 4nm offshore encloses the terminal. Vessels may not enter the area unless a Mooring Master is onboard. A lightbuoy marking the N limit of the restricted area is moored approx 4.5nm NE of Tanjong Batu Lata.
Nos 1 and 2 Single Anchor Leg Moorings (SALM) lie 2.25nm ENE and 2.5nm E respectively of Tanjong Batu Lata. Each is yellow with black stripes and carries a light and a fog signal. The max loaded draught is 17.4m at SALM No 1 and 20.4m at SALM No 2.
A Single Point Mooring (SPM) lies 1.25nm NE of Tanjong Batu Lata. It is white in colour and carries a light and fog signal. A tanker between 15,000DWT and 85,000DWT can berth there to a max draught of 11.1m.
Note: Danger line lightbuoys are moored on the 15.0m depth contour inshore of the moorings for the benefit of berthing deep draught tankers.
Port limits
Seaward boundary: 04°30'N 103°33'E 04°37'N 103°33'E.
Traffic schemes and VTS
The Kertih Marine Control is equipped with radar based vessel traffic management system and will advise vessels when VHF contact has been established.
Anchorages
The anchorage area is 4nm², bounded by the parallels of 04°30.0'N and 04°32'N and meridian 103°32.0'E and 103°34.0'E. Vessels are prohibited from anchoring in any position, whether inside or outside the Restricted Area, other than in the designated Anchorage Area. Crude and gas pipelines and a telephone cable are laid in the vicinity and may not be shown on all charts.
During severe weather conditions, it is not advisable to anchor as holding ground is poor and vessels should slowly steam 5-10nm off the coast and remain within VHF radio range. In the event that VHF radio contact cannot be established, Masters are advised not to anchor but keep to seaward of the Anchorage Area and the Restricted Zone. Contact will then be made by the Terminal's support craft.
Note: Vessels are strictly prohibited to carry out hot works or repairs of any kind which could cause fire hazard or immobilise engine at berth or within port area, except at the designated anchorage area, with the approval of Kertih Port Harbour Master
Restrictions
Vessels should under no circumstances enter the Restricted Area without the service of a pilot.
Tugs
KMF: The use of at least 2 tugs is mandatory for berthing, unberthing or shifting at the Kertih Marine Facility (KMF). The final number of tugs required will be at the discretion of the pilot and will depend on wind and weather conditions.
For CALM: There is 1 tug with a capacity of 3,500bhp available.
For SALM: There is 1 tug of 1,000bhp and 1 tug of 3,000bhp capacity available.
Mooring
KMF: The port must be informed of any equipment failure that could have an effect on safe mooring. Adequate number of personnel must be present to handle the mooring. Mooring lines must be well maintained and have good tension. The mandatory lines for all types of vessels apply;
The vessel's personnel must monitor the condition of mooring lines frequently. Port representatives will also check the mooring lines. However, it is the Master's responsibility to make necessary adjustments to the lines. When berthing and unberthing, mooring gangs will receive instructions from the pilot.
PP(T) SB-SPM and TCOT-SALM bound vessels should be prepared to be moored to the SBM and make ready the following;
Charts and publications
BA 1374, 3446, 2422. Malaysian Chart MA6441. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Masters should send initial notification of ETA, by fax, immediately on being advised to proceed to Kertih Port or on departure from last port of call. Updated ETA should follow 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.
Request for a pilot should be submitted by the agent 12, 6 hours, and confirmed at least 2 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
All radio traffic to be passed through Singapore Radio, vessels to maintain radio watch with the same station. Kertih Port Control is equipped with radar and VHF communications.
VHF: When within range, vessels should contact the appropriate terminal.
Language used: English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Notice of readiness
To be tendered when vessel is ready to load or arrives at anchorage or fairway buoy.
Documents
On arrival, the vessel will be boarded by 2 Pilots/Mooring Masters, Custom Agent, Surveyor, and PETRONAS representative on behalf of PP(T)SB-SBM. They will remain onboard until the vessel's departure and should be provided with meals and suitable accommodation.
Cargo documentation: For loading at CALM: Documents are prepared onboard by PETRONAS personnel.
For loading at SALM: Documents are prepared by terminal (TCOT) and sent to vessels by Pilot boat.
Health
Health clearance by agent upon boarding. The Drug and Alcohol policy does not permit the use drugs and alcohol within the port limits. It is the Master's responsibility to ensure all crew members comply with this rule.
Customs and immigration
Clearance by agent or Customs Officer upon boarding. No shore leave or crew repatriation is permitted when a tanker is moored to the SBM or SALM except under humanitarian grounds.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Marine Industrial Control Division.
Contact person: Director.
Address: PO Box 12, 42007 Port Klang, Malaysia.
Tel: +60 3 3346 7777.
Fax: +60 3 3168 4454.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.marine.gov.my
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Dec 2022Repairs
Not available.
Dry docks
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Water: Only the Kertih Marine Facility (KMF) can provide supplies of water.
Bunkering: Not available from any of the facilities.
Stores: Only available from KMF.
Medical
Nearest clinic: Petronas Interplant Clinic Kertih (1.6km).
Crew change
Not available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kerteh Airport (7km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Kertih Port
updated Dec 2022Where it is
Kerteh Port is situated off the E coast of the Malaysian Peninsula in the South China Sea, approx 20km off Kuala Dungun.
The port
The port consists of 3 marine terminals located within the port which are Kertih Marine Facilities, Petronas Penapisan (Terengganu) and Terengganu Crude Oil Terminal. The three facilities lie in a 20sq nm restricted area which extends approx 8km from the coast within the port limits.
Questions about Kertih Port
What are the pilot arrangements at Kertih Port?
Pilotage by the Mooring Master is compulsory and should be requested by agent, 24, 12 and confirmed 6 hours prior to arrival at the port.
What time zone is Kertih Port in?
Local time at Kertih Port is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Kertih Port?
The deepest berth listed is at TCOT- SALM: 20.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kertih Port?
1025.
Which load line zone is Kertih Port in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kertih Port?
Port State Control at Kertih Port: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kertih Port?
The UN/LOCODE of Kertih Port is MYKET.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kertih Port 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.