PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
King Abdullah Port
Pilot
updated Sep 2018- King Abdullah Port pilot boarding position – Pilotage Directions Rev 2.0 Pilot boards22°30.4′N 039°02.7′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 500GT and vessels less that 500GT carrying dangerous goods or harmful substances.
Vessel's should send pilotage request at least 48 hours in advance, stating LOA and draught. Confirmation should be made by VHF to the VTS no later that 1 hour prior to ETA at the pilot boarding station.
Pilot boards in position 22°29.30'N 039°02.15'E.
Key data
updated May 2024Size limits
LOA 399.99m, beam 61.51m, draught 16.51m, 281,456DWT.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Tidal range 0.4m at spring; 0.2m at neap.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Container Terminal | 16.50 m | 400 m | 4 |
| South Container Terminal | 16.50 m | 334 m | 2 |
| AMSTEEL Terminal | — | 240 m | 2 |
| Bulk Terminal | — | 230 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2021Approach
King Abdullah Port is separated from the Red Sea shipping routes by an extensive area of coral and shallow water. The landward side of the reef area drops sharply and steeply into deep water (450-550m) for 7-8nm and remains so until rising steeply until the mainland high-water line; a matter of a few hundred meters offshore.
King Abdullah Port Deepwater Route (DWR):
The route is entered at its southern end on a north easterly heading. (Latitude 22°16.5'N 038° 53.5' W) (BA chart 63). A starboard hand lateral mark Fl 10s 10m (22°18.7' N
038°53.0' W) is evident bearing approximately 350° at a distance of 2.1nm. After 2.5nm a precautionary area allowing for vessel movements at Mina 'al Qadimah is reached; the
precautionary area extends along the route for 2nm. On exiting the precautionary area on a NE'ly heading, vessels continue along the DWR; the channel forming the southern
section of the DWR and the precautionary area is 1.4nm wide and clear of obstructions to depths in excess of 450m. N of the reef named Qita 'al Kirsh to starboard, the DWR
widens to 1.9m and alters direction to the NE for approximately 5m before allowing access to the dredged channel into King Abdullah Port. This section of the route is clear of
obstructions to depths in excess of 350m.
King Abdullah Port Approch Channel:
Although the approach channel will eventually be dredged to 19.0m CD at a width of 300m, currently and until further notice it is dredged to 18.0m CD. The entrance to the approach channel, which is 700m in length, is on a heading of 055°.
Once inside the inner harbour, dredged depths are currently 17.0m CD in a 680m turning circle and 18.0m CD alongside the berths.
Port limits
Port limits extend to the W and SW of the port.
Traffic schemes and VTS
VTS is compulsory for all vessels over 500GT and vessels licence to carry 12 or more passengers.
All vessels in the area must maintain continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 14 and 16.
Vessels should report on anchoring and berthing and obtain permission before getting underway from anchor or leaving berth.
Reports must be sent before clearing an anchorage berth.
Anchorages
There are no designated anchorages as yet at King Abdullah Port.
Restrictions
Maximum speed limits in the approach channel and the inner harbour is 6kts.
Tugs
The port operates four ASD tugs, ranging from 85t-47t bollard pull, available for berthing and un-berthing vessels calling at the port.
A minimum of two tugs will be required for visiting vessels. Tugs must be ordered by visiting vessels through their agents who will liaise directly with the Marine Service Provider.
Charts and publications
BA 63, 158, 2659, 4704. US Publications 172. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETD details should be sent to VTS at least 2 hours prior to departure time (ETD will not be accepted more than 3 hours prior). Vessels must give 30 minutes confirmation of ETD
Communications
VHF: Port Operations: Ch 67, 69, 73.
Pilots: Ch 16, 73. Email: [email protected].
King Abdullah Port VTS: Ch 16, 14, 67, 69, 71. Tel: +966 54 914 8005. Email: [email protected].
Flags
The KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) flag must fly from the foremast of any visiting vessel 24 hours a day.
Notices and regulations
Movement of Regulated Vessels and Reporting Requirements:
All vessels entering the designated VTS area are to make the following requests for permissions and reports initially by VHF, email, or by agent. Vessels will be instructed by VTS Watch keepers on further reporting requirements as soon as they enter the VTS area, by VHF and by email, or via the agent.
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 Jun 2021Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: The port does not currently have a fixed fresh water supply but fresh water can be requested through vessel agent.
Bunkering: Bunker can be arranged through agents. There are no fixed bunker facilities at King Abdullah Port as yet, however, they are under construction.
Medical
Full hospital facilities are available in Jeddah and there is a local clinic is King Abdullah Economic City which is open on a 24/7 basis. Masters should make arrangement through their agents. The Port also has a fully equipped ambulance with medical staff, from the local clinic, in 24 hour attendance for emergencies only.
Crew change
Shore leave for ship's crew must be arranged through the agent. Any baggage/ personal belongings of crew members joining and leaving vessels will be inspected.
Transport
Nearest Airport: Jeddah International Airport is approximately 1.5 hours drive from King Abdullah Port.
About King Abdullah Port
updated Nov 2025Where it is
King Abdullah Port is located in King Abdullah Economic City, 25km N of Rabigh.
The port
The port is a fast growing container port also handling Ro-Ro, general cargo. Receiving the world’s largest vessels with the deepest draught in the region of 18.0m. The port is the kingdom's first to be owned and funded by the private sector.
Traffic
Approx 29,800,000t of cargo, 3,000,000TEU and 900 vessels handled annually.
Questions about King Abdullah Port
Where does the pilot board at King Abdullah Port?
The pilot boards at King Abdullah Port pilot boarding position – Pilotage Directions Rev 2.0, 22°30.4′N 039°02.7′E.
What time zone is King Abdullah Port in?
Local time at King Abdullah Port is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at King Abdullah Port?
The deepest berth listed is at North Container Terminal: 16.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is King Abdullah Port in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of King Abdullah Port?
The UN/LOCODE of King Abdullah Port is SAKAC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at King Abdullah 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.
Plan a route to King Abdullah Port →
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.