PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kuala Tanjung
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory and should be ordered through the agent. All communications are made through Belawan "PKB".
Note: Station is owned and operated by Perum Pelabuhan.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
LOA 261.31m, beam 35m, draught 13.0m, 55,634DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Tide is semi diurnal and low water (ZO) is 1.6m under MSL.
Current: The current flows at a rate of 1.5kts, NW on flood water and SE on ebb water.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNA Terminal | 13.00 m | 185 m | 2 |
| Kuala Tanjung Multipurpose Terminal (KTMT) | 12.80 m | 261 m | 1 |
| INALUM Terminal | 10.70 m | 183 m | 3 |
| PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantations Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2020Approach
Directions for Kuala Tanjung: The pier at Kuala Tanjung is approached by passing NW of Kuala Tanjung Approach Light Beacon (03°25'N 099°29'E). The port channel is approx 2nm in length, 3,500m wide, with depths from 7.0m to 12.0m.
If approaching from E, the following marks may be useful:
Pulau Pandang and light (03°25'N 099°45'E)
Pulau Salahnama and light (03°21'N 099°43'E)
Gosong Mati Luar Lightbuoy (03°24'N 099°38'E).
Depths in the port basin vary between 6.0m and 15.0m.
Anchorages
A circular anchorage area, with a radius of 500m, is centred 1nm W of Kuala Tanjung Approach Light Beacon.
Restrictions
There may be restrictions on the type of vessel that can enter the port.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 3584, 3921. Admiralty Pilot NP44, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be advised to agent at 10, 3, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the Master should also advise the estimated draught on arrival.
Communications
Radio: All radio messages are through Belawan Coastal Radio Station.
It is recommended to use Jakarta Radio for passing messages at long range, callsign "PKX". Working hours are 0000-0400hrs UTC on 8542kHz and 0000-1200hrs UTC on 8752kHz.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12 and 14.
Documents
The agent will deliver the special forms onboard the vessel when alongside.
Health
Free pratique is granted on arrival.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) can be renewed at the major ports.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: All crew members must have a valid travel document. Crews from communist countries are not allowed to disembark whilst in port.
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: Directorate of Marine Safety and Seafarers, Directorate General of Sea Communications.
Position: Director
Address: Karya Building, 12th Floor, JI Merdeka Barat 8, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia.
Tel: +62 21 350 5705.
Fax: +62 21 350 5705.
Mob: +62 811 960640.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS compliance: The US Coast Guard has determined (12/2012) that the Republic of Indonesia is now maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in their ports. The Republic of Indonesia is removed from the list of the Countries Affected in paragraph B of the Port Security Advisory. Therefore, actions required in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory are no longer required for vessels that arrive in the United States after visiting ports in the Republic of Indonesia.
In a further effort to combat piracy, the Indonesian Government are allocating Piracy Anchor Safe Zones within some of their ports. These will be patrolled by the Indonesian Marine Police. Individual Port Authorities should be contacted about the latest information concerning these.
Port services
updated Feb 2020Repairs
Minor repairs can be carried out.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh Water: Available by pipeline, max. 400t.
Bunkering: Not available.
Medical
General Hospital Inalum Tanjung Gading, 18.2km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kualanamu International Airport located at Kuala Namu, 98.3km.
Working hours
The port operates throughout 24 hours.
About Kuala Tanjung
updated Apr 2026Where it is
Kuala Tanjung is situated on the NE coast of Sumatera.
The port
The port is a commercial port open to foreign trade and the main cargoes handled are aluminium, container and vegetable oil.
Traffic
Approx 400,000TEU and 240 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Kuala Tanjung
What are the pilot arrangements at Kuala Tanjung?
Pilotage is compulsory and should be ordered through the agent.
What time zone is Kuala Tanjung in?
Local time at Kuala Tanjung is UTC+7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Kuala Tanjung?
The deepest berth listed is at MNA Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kuala Tanjung?
1025.
Which load line zone is Kuala Tanjung in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kuala Tanjung?
Port State Control at Kuala Tanjung: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kuala Tanjung?
The UN/LOCODE of Kuala Tanjung is IDKTJ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kuala Tanjung 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.