PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kharg Island
Pilot
updated Jul 2024- Kharg Island Oil Terminal berthing master boarding Pilot boards29°13.5′N 050°18.6′E
Compulsory from the anchorage area to the terminals. Vessels should not enter the port area or anchorage without a pilot. Berthing master boards vessels bound for Sea Island berths and Kharg Island Oil Terminal - T Jetty approx 1nm E of the T-Jetty and for 1.7nm seaward of the terminal for the Darius Terminal. The berthing masters act in a pilot capacity, berth the vessels and remain aboard as Safety and Loading Coordinators. Vessels are berthed throughout 24hrs. All vessels for the Sea Island Terminal must proceed to the anchorage off the E side of the island unless instructed otherwise.
Key data
updated Feb 2025Size limits
Max Harbour LOA 340m, beam 60.0m, draught 20.73m and 319,295dwt.
Max Offshore LOA 340m, BCM 165.20m, draught 29.87m and 550,000DWT.
Water density
1030.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Mean range approx 1.2m to extreme range of 2.4m. Tidal current of approx 1.5kts sets parallel with the E coast and loading pier. To the N of the loading pier a strong W set is experienced for period of time approx 4hrs after high tide.
Tidal streams in the vicinity of Jazireh-ye Khark and Jazireh-ye Kharku set NW and SE at a rate sometimes exceeding 2.0kts. On the S going stream, there is a tidal race which attains great strength over the spit extending 0.75nm E from the NE extremity of Jazireh-ye Khark.
In the channel between Jazireh-ye Khark and Jazireh-ye Kharku, the streams set WNW and ESE at rates up to 2.5kts.
Off the head of the main oil loading jetty, on the E side of Jazireh-ye Khark, the streams set N and S at rates of up to 0.5kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azarpad Sea Island Terminal | 29.87 m | 340 m | 3 |
| Kharg Island Oil Terminal - T Jetty | 20.73 m | 340 m | 6 |
| STS Terminal | 19.00 m | 274 m | 1 |
| Darius Terminal | 18.30 m | 67 m | 1 |
| Khemco Terminal | 11.20 m | 230 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2024Approach
All vessels proceed E of the East Harbour Limit to anchor and await the berthing master. Only vessels wishing to moor/unmoor are allowed to transit the area. All vessels approaching from the W and requiring to anchor E of Jazireh-ye Khark must pass S of the island. All vessels approaching the island from the S are required to keep at least 2.1nm E of the island, whereas all vessels from the N must keep W of the island and outside the Restricted Area. All vessels must not pass between the islands.
Anchorages
Prohibited anchorage areas: Vessels are advised not to anchor in the area, 5nm wide in which submarine oil pipelines are laid from the N side of Jazireh-ye Khark to, and W of, Jazireh-ye Kharku, and then NNE to the mainland. Notice boards mark the landing places of the pipelines. Mariners should also beware of large unlit mooring buoys within the prohibited anchorage area between 2.5nm and 9nm NNE of Jazireh-ye Kharku.
Anchorage is prohibited within the submarine pipeline area, encompassing Darius Oilfield, off the SW side of Jazireh-ye Khark, and within 1nm each side of the pipelines extending from the S point of the island, SW to Feridoon Oilfield and to the Ardeshir Oilfield.
Anchoring is prohibited anywhere within the harbour limits, surrounding the terminals, E, W and S of Jazireh-ye Khark. The N and S limits of the prohibited anchorage area around the Sea Island Terminal off the W side of the island, are marked, respectively, by the alignment of pairs of beacons and light beacons; each pair being in line bearing 090°.
Tankers arriving for loading, including those bound for Sea Island Terminal, should proceed to an anchorage approx 2nm E of Jazireh-ye Khark, keeping outside the harbour limits and then await arrival of the berthing master.
Directions: If approaching Jazireh-ye Khark, keep at least 2.25nm E of the island and then to anchorage. If approaching from W or N, keep well W outside the limits of Darius Oilfield and then proceed S and E of the island to the anchorage.
Cargo vessels: In summer the most convenient anchorage, sheltered from the shamal (NW wind), is off the NE part of Jazireh-ye Khark, approx 0.5nm offshore and 0.5nm SE of the NE extremity of the island, in a depth of 12.8m.
In winter, anchorage should be obtained farther offshore; the holding ground is good. This is the normal anchorage for cargo vessels which discharge into lighters. This anchorage also affords good shelter when the outer anchorage off Bushehr is untenable owing to bad weather.
Dry cargo vessels anchor, in at least 21.9m, approx 0.5nm SE of Darius Terminal. Anchorage off the E side of Jazireh-ye Khark is sheltered when the outer anchorage at Bashehr is untenable due to the weather. Dry cargo vessels anchor on good holding ground NE of the Naval Boat Harbour (29°15.N., 050°20'E) and discharge cargo in barges.
Restrictions
No restrictions for night berthing/unberthing.
Restrictions: Oil rigs and submarine pipelines are prevalent throughout the approach to the port and harbour areas. Submarine cables are best seen SW coast of Jazireh-ye Khark whilst others are found from the S end of the island SW to the Feridoon Oil Field and the Ardeshir Oil Field.
Prohibited Zones: All areas within the harbour limits are defined as a prohibited anchorage and restricted manoeuvrability zone, only vessels to the port and wishing to moor/unmoor are allowed to transit the aforementioned areas.
Wrecks: There are dangerous wrecks located between the S extremity of Jazirat-ye Khark and the Iranian coast. These wrecks are marked by lighted buoys and are best seen on the chart.
Tugs
Tugs are available.
Mooring
Ten mooring wires forward and 10 aft are compulsory. Wires should be connected with a minimum of 10m of rope tail.
Under normal conditions 16 lines used to moor vessels at "T" Jetty, (aft: 8 lines, fore: 8 lines).
Forward: 3 head lines/3 breast lines and 2 springs.
Aft: 3 stern lines/3 breast lines and 2 springs.
During winter, vessels larger than 250,000DWT, up to 20 lines should be used.
All wires must be connected with minimum 10m rope tails.
For vessels to the Sea Island Terminal, tending mooring lines must be done one line at a time and under the supervision of a vessels officer.
All berths associated with the Azarpad Sea Island Terminal are equipped with advanced navigation system, automatic and semi-automatic fire extinguishing, and rotating/heating systems for clotting prevention.
Charts and publications
BA Charts 11, 2882. US Publication 172. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels are informed not to use VHF Ch 10, 12, 16 and 77 for VHF intership traffic while in the anchorage and alongside.
Communications
Pilot contact info
VHF: Ch 10, 112, 16, 77
Telephone: +98 93 332381
Karg Island Oil Terminal contact info
Call Sign: IOOC Marin
VHF: Ch 4, 12, 14, 16, 20
Telex: 88 212707
Telephone: +98 212 2664296; +98 212 3942865; +98 212 1239383 (mobile emergency)
Facsimile: +98 212 2664295
Email: [email protected]
Note: Vessels are informed not to use VHF Ch 10, 12, 16 and 77 for VHF intership traffic while in the anchorage and alongside. A port radio station is located at Jazireh-ye Khark. Vessels are required to use this VHF/RT when within range of the harbour, using standard frequencies. In the event of poor visibility, radiotelephone is used to avoid delay in berthing when a vessels approach may not be observed from shore.
Health
Pratique may be requested 72hrs prior to arrival and the Standard Quarantine Message should be sent to the âPort Health Officer Khargiran.â Regulations generally pertain to all terminals within Kharg Island. Free pratique issued at berth, also by radio, but subject to officers boarding the vessel to carry out their investigation.
Flags
All vessels to display the Iranian national flag within Iranian territorial waters (12nm seaward of land and adjacent islands) and harbour limits during daylight hours.
Notices and regulations
Vessels are required to maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16 whilst at anchorage.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ports and Shipping Organization.
Position: Port Security Senior Officer.
Address: 751 Enghlab Av, Tehran 1599661464, Iran.
Tel: +98 21 849 32051.
Fax: +98 21 880 9329.
Mob: +98 91 238 42649.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that vessels arriving at US ports from Iran will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures.
Port services
updated Jul 2024Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Not available.
Bunkering: Available from "T" Jetty and Sea Island simultaneous with loading.
Stores: Limited provisions available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Facilities available at medical clinic on the island. Serious cases must be sent by air to Abadan.
Crew change
Crew change is not available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Khark Airport (3.15km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Kharg Island
updated Jul 2024Where it is
Kharg Island also known as Jazireh-ye Khark is an oil terminal located some 30km off the mainland coast of Iran.
The port
Kharg Island is the principal crude oil loading terminal in Iran with facilities to support sulphur, LNG and LPG. The port is strategically located to the nearby oilfields and is widely recognised as the most suitable location for crude oil exports and loading. The port installations lie to the SE and SW of the Island, the crude oil being piped from the mainland oil fields.
Questions about Kharg Island
Where does the pilot board at Kharg Island?
The pilot boards at Kharg Island Oil Terminal berthing master boarding, 29°13.5′N 050°18.6′E.
What time zone is Kharg Island in?
Local time at Kharg Island is UTC+3:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Kharg Island?
The deepest berth listed is at Azarpad Sea Island Terminal: 29.87 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kharg Island?
1030.
Which load line zone is Kharg Island in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kharg Island?
Port State Control at Kharg Island: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kharg Island?
The UN/LOCODE of Kharg Island is IRKHK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kharg Island 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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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.