Kunak

Size limits

LOA 183m, beam 32.2m, draught 17.0m, 49,990DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range approx 1.8m, mean neap range approx 0.4m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Kunak should be approached from NE, passing 0.5nm from the NW extremity of Pulau Tabawan (04°49'N 118°21'E) on a course of 212°. This course passes 1nm NW of the beacons marking Dawson Reef and McKinlay Reef (04°43'N 118°20'E) and 0.8nm NW of the N end of Merritt Reefs.

Mount Wullerstorf (04°28'N 118°09'E), bearing 210.25°, leads between Pulau Tabawan and Pulau Bohayan.

There are two different approaches depending on whether vessel is berthing port side or starboard side alongside the palm oil berth.

Caution: The edges of the reefs are usually clearly visible, particularly if Polaroid glasses are worn, but there are certain conditions in which they do not show.

Port limits

The port limits shall be a line drawn from the point (headland) on the mainland south of Wise Hill to the most easterly point of Pulau Sakar, then in SSE direction to the most easterly point of Pulau Bohihan, and thence in a SSW direction to the peak of Mt Cook at a point where the line intersects the coastline, including rivers entering the same for a distance of 300m inland from the mouth of the river.

Anchorages

Anchorage off Rashleigh Reefs (4°44'N 118°17'E) is reported as good holding ground.

Restrictions

Berthing can take place throughout 24 hours when requested through the agent.

Hazard: There are numerous fish traps, constructed of heavy logs, in the approaches to Kunak.

Tugs

Not available.

Charts and publications

BA 1680, 1686. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent 7 days prior to the vessel's arrival followed by a further ETA 36 hours prior to arrival. In addition to the date/time of arrival the message should also include arrival draughts, pilot requirements and any other requirements of the vessel.

Communications

Radio: Singapore or Kota Kinabalu Radio is recommended for passing messages. Singapore Radio works throughout 24 hours; Kota Kinabalu works from 0800-1600hrs weekdays and 0800-1200hrs on Sat.

VHF: Port: Ch 16.

Health

The Sabah Government are signatories to the World Health Organisation convention on quarantine regulations. The Port Health Doctor will not board unless the vessel is arriving from an infected port. A Maritime Declaration of Health is to be completed and is to be handed to the agent, for the health department, together with a copy of the Crew List and a copy of the Passenger List.

The vessel should telex its agent prior to arrival advising the last port of call and whether vessel is healthy.

Pratique is normally granted by radio and vessels should only proceed to the quarantine anchorage if arriving from an infected area.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed for a 3 month period.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Daily allowance per person is 142ml of spirit or 1,136ml of wine, beer or stout, 1,136ml per man per day, cigarettes, 25 or cigars, 8 or tobacco, 28.3gm or snuff, 28.3gm. Up to 3 days allowance issued at a time.

Immigration: Immigration Officer boards vessel on arrival and clears the ship inwards. The officer requires 2 copies each of the Crew List and Passenger List.

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

Repairs

No facilities available.

Dry docks

None available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Water: Available

Medical

Nearest hospital: Kunak Hospital (3.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Lapangan Terbang Semporna (46km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours when operational.

Where it is

Kunak is situated on the E coast of Sabah.

The port

The port serves the hinterland with general cargo and exports palm oil. The port has a simple landing jetty for loading and unloading small volumes of essential commodities for the people living in the surrounding areas. There is also an oil jetty for tankers that call regularly to collect the palm oil from the two privately owned estates. Due to the establishment of the road link from Tawau to Lahad Datu, the use of the port's jetty for dry cargo loading has diminished. Timber, tobacco and hemp are exported.

Traffic

Approx 1,300,000t of cargo and 200 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Kunak?

Pilotage is not compulsory but is recommended.

What time zone is Kunak in?

Local time at Kunak is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Kunak?

The deepest berth listed is at Kunak Oil Jetty: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kunak?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kunak in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Kunak?

Port State Control at Kunak: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kunak?

The UN/LOCODE of Kunak is MYKUN.

What crews who called at Kunak 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.

Read and add tips for Kunak →