PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
La Skhirra
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory, TRAPSA pilotage available throughout 24 hours. All vessels should report their arrival at La Skhira 48 hours in advance, messages should be sent to Rapetrol. Any significant change in ETA should be reported to the port authorities no later than 24 hours before arrival. Pilot boards 1-2nm S of the terminal, from a black and white boat, 0.6nm SW of No 5 Lightbuoy.
Key data
updated Nov 2022Size limits
LOA 300m, beam 50m, draught 15.24m, 165,500DWT.
Water density
1030.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range approx 0.7-1.6m; mean neap range approx 0.4m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAPSA | 15.24 m | 300 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2022Approach
Large vessels should steer for a position approx 2nm E of No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) moored off Tete de la Corne Sud, and situated 7nm SSE of Skhirra Khedima. Then steer W to pass S of this lightbuoy through Passe d'Entree.
When abreast No 1 Lightbuoy, steer WNW towards No 3 Lightbuoy (starboard hand), moored 6nm SSW of Skhirra Khedima, and No 4 Lightbuoy (port hand), moored 0.25nm NW of No 3 Lightbuoy.
Course should then be altered to pass between these buoys and towards No 5 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) moored 3.5nm NNE, taking care to pass E of the 12m shoal, at the S end of Banc Crevettes, situated 2.5nm SSW of the oil terminal.
Course should then be laid to pass NW of No 5 Lightbuoy.
A vessel approaching from the NE should steer for the position, approx 2nm E of No 1 Lightbuoy.
At night, or in bad visibility, a vessel should be guided by the soundings, observing that on the E side of the bank, the depths are very regular.
Having run down the E side of the bank, as soon as the 18.3m line, on the E side of a deep which runs in towards the S end of the bank, has been crossed, the vessel should steer approx 248° for 8nm, then steer 325°, to make the cliffs S of the village of La Skhirra.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained by tankers 0.5nm N of No 5 Lightbuoy in a depth of 18.0m or 0.8nm S of the lightbuoy in a depth of 23.0m. The holding ground is good, but the anchorage is dangerous in W gales.
A prohibited anchorage is established SW of the head of the spur in an area bounded on the S by the parallel of No 5 Lightbuoy, and on the E by a line bearing 170° from the head of the spur.
Prohibited anchorage: A circular area of radius 1.5nm, about 2.25nm E of Passe d' Entree.
Tugs
Compulsory. Up to 3 tugs can be made available.
Charts and publications
BA 9, 176, 3403. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or before leaving previous port and should include ship's particulars and ISPS pre-arrival information.
Communications
Trapsa Radio.
VHF: Harbour Office, Pilots and tugs: Ch 11, 12, 14, 16.
Health
Pratique should be applied for when vessel is berthing. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Merchant Marine and Ports Office.
Position: Merchant Marine and Port Officer.
Address: Batiment Administratif 2060, La Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia.
Tel: +216 7173 7556
Fax: +216 7173 8520
Mob: +216 9833 3089
Email: [email protected]
Telex: 15386
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
No repair facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: There are no facilities available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Gabes (60km).
Crew change
Crew change is possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Sfax (80km).
Nearest railway: Gabes (60km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About La Skhirra
updated Nov 2022Where it is
La Skhirra is approx 160nm SSE of Tunis in the Gulf of Gabes.
The port
The terminal is used exclusively for the export of crude oil and phosphoric acid. Two loading berths are situated on each side of the terminal platform. For safe manoeuvring tankers are recommended to arrive with up to 30% ballast of summer deadweight. Any vessel arriving or departing from loading berths is obliged to use two or three tugs according to deadweight.
Traffic
Approx 7,000,000t of cargo and 130 vessels handled annually.
Questions about La Skhirra
What are the pilot arrangements at La Skhirra?
Compulsory, TRAPSA pilotage available throughout 24 hours.
What time zone is La Skhirra in?
Local time at La Skhirra is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at La Skhirra?
The deepest berth listed is at TRAPSA: 15.24 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at La Skhirra?
1030.
Which load line zone is La Skhirra in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of La Skhirra?
The UN/LOCODE of La Skhirra is TNLSK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at La Skhirra 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.
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.