PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Khorramshahr
Pilot
updated May 2010- Khorramshahr pilot boarding place Pilot boards29°50.2′N 048°47.1′E
Compulsory. ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding position ESE of Kafka No 1 Lightbuoy (29°50.3'N 048°46.8'E); on arrival at the pilot station vessels should contact Khorramshahr Coast Radio Station on VHF 16 to obtain berthing information.
Key data
updated Jul 2026Size limits
LOA 100.67m, beam 21.80m, draught 25.0m, 5,934DWT.
Water density
1030.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 3.4m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Khorramshahr Special Economic Zone (PKSEZ) | 25.00 m | 101 m | 4 |
| Passenger Terminal | 4.50 m | 45 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 Jan 2020Anchorages
Outer anchorage for up to 5 vessels may be obtained off Harteh Point (30°22.0'N 048°11.0E). The anchorage is used by vessels lightering and waiting to cross Karun Bar.
Anchorage No 1: 29°49.12'N 048°47.18'E, depth 12.0m.
Anchorage No 2: 29°50.40'N 048°46.24'E, depth 7.0m.
Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of the submarine pipeline laid across the river close above Karun Bar, notice boards mark its landing on both banks; and in the area of submarine cables laid across the river between the entrance to Haffar Channel and Umm ar Rasas; a notice board on Umm ar Rasas indicates the area.
Restrictions
Berthing is usually daytime only.
Engine speed must be reduced well in advance so that the vessel's speed, when passing jetties at Khorramshahr will not exceed 3.5kts for vessels with more than 4.1m draught and 5kts for all vessels over 100GT.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 2847, 3845. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2020Communications
Via radio callsign "EQK" (24 hours).
VHF: Pilots/Port/VTS/Tugs: Ch 16. Listening watch 24 hours a day, except Port 10 hours daily.
Khorramshahr Coast Radio Station, VHF: Ch 13, 16, 18, 25. Callsign "Khorramshahr Port Radio".
Tel: +98 63242 24096. Fax: +98 63242 13422.
Documents
All ships certificates should be valid. Oil tanker check list should be completed by port inspector and master.
Health
The Iraqi Port Health Officer at Fao, at the entrance to the Waterway, will grant pratique; upon arrival at the port, an Iranian Quarantine Officer will board to grant pratique for Iran and check the ship's Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC).
Customs and immigration
Customs check all vessels when alongside the berth.
Notices and regulations
Once at the port, passenger vessels receive priority, often followed by vessels with dangerous cargo; but if the port is congested, a vessel, upon requesting her "turn" at the Outer Bar, may be cleared to proceed to any of the other Waterway ports.
Customs officials remain onboard throughout the vessel's stay and food and accommodation must be provided for them.
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 Jan 2020Repairs
Minor repairs available.
Divers: Available.
Dry docks
Drydock available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by barge throughout the waterway from the National Iranian Oil Company.
Stores: Provisions and spares available.
Medical
Private doctors and hospitals located in the town for medical and dental treatment and hospitalisation. Arrangements for patients to visit the doctor, dentists or hospital should be made by agent, upon request.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Abadan, 12km.
Nearest railway: Khorramshahr, 3km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Khorramshahr
updated Apr 2023Where it is
Khorramshahr is situated at the junction of the Shatt-al-Arab waterway and the Karun river.
The port
Khorramshahr is the terminus for the Iranian Railway system and a regular rail service is available to the rest of the country. Good asphalt roads connect Khorramshahr to other major cities in the country. The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, Ro-Ro and passengers.
Traffic
Approx 3,000,000t of cargo, 21,000TEU, 1,900 vessels and 118,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Khorramshahr
Where does the pilot board at Khorramshahr?
The pilot boards at Khorramshahr pilot boarding place, 29°50.2′N 048°47.1′E.
What time zone is Khorramshahr in?
Local time at Khorramshahr is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Khorramshahr?
The deepest berth listed is at Port of Khorramshahr Special Economic Zone (PKSEZ): 25.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Khorramshahr?
1030.
Which load line zone is Khorramshahr in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Khorramshahr?
Port State Control at Khorramshahr: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Khorramshahr?
The UN/LOCODE of Khorramshahr is IRKHO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Khorramshahr 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.