PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lahad Datu
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 199.9m, beam 36m, draught 20m, 63,498DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.8m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| POIC Liquid Bulk Terminal | 20.00 m | 274 m | 7 |
| POIC Container Terminal | 15.00 m | 162 m | 1 |
| POIC Dry Bulk Terminal | 12.80 m | 200 m | 4 |
| Lahad Datu Port Terminal | — | 200 m | 5 |
| Kwantas Refinery Terminal | — | 148 m | 1 |
| Cement Industries (Sabah) Sdn Bhd BulkTerminal | — | — | 1 |
| Pengkalan Polis Marin Lahad Datu Sabah | — | — | 4 |
| POIC Barge Jetty Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Asphalt Terminal | — | 105 m | 1 |
| Felda Wilayah Sahabat Terminal | — | 184 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 Apr 2019Approach
Telukan Lahad Datu is approached through Teluk Darvel and entered W of Terumbu Malandong.
From a position not less than 1.5nm S of Darvel peninsula, steer W until the summit of Pulau Adal (04°45'N 118°31'E) is in line with the SW peak of Mount Sirongol (04°38'N 118°34'E), bearing 153°. Then keep that alignment astern, until the 218m summit of Pulau Sakar is in line with Mount Silam, bearing 269°. Then alter course N to bring the NE extremity of Pulau Adal in line with the SW peak of Mount Sirongol, which will lead NE of the reef extending from the E end of Pulau Sakar.
Having passed the reef, alter course WNW to pass midway between Terumbu Belasu (04°59.7'N 118°21.7'E) and Tinggeri Reef Beacons. When the S of the 2 radio masts at Lahad Datu is in line with the light structure on the wharf, bearing 326°, alter course NW for the anchorage.
Port limits
The port limits are within the area N of a line joining the following points:
4°55.4'N 118°27.8'E
4°56.6'N 118°17.5'E.
Anchorages
There is an inner anchorage for vessels up to 90m in length, between Gray Reef, Lahad Datu Wharf and Gosungan Reef, in a depth of 9.0m, with the light structure on the wharf bearing 325° and Gray Rock Beacon bearing 215°.
Larger vessels should anchor with the light structure bearing 333° and Tinggeri Reef Beacon bearing 080°, in a depth of 11.0m.
There is an outer anchorage N of Pulau Sakar in depths of 13.0-25.0m with good holding ground.
Anchorage is prohibited for vessels carrying explosives or dangerous petroleum in the fairway of the approach or within 1,200m of the pierhead.
Restrictions
Berthing can take place throughout 24 hours with requests sent to the agent.
Tugs
Tugs are available if ordered well in advance.
Charts and publications
BA 1679, 1680. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2014ETA 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 are recommended for passing messages. Singapore Radio works throughout 24 hours; Kota Kinabalu works from 0800-1600hrs weekdays and 0800-1200hrs on Sat.
VHF: 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 handed to the agent, together with a copy of the Crew List and a copy of the Passenger List.
The vessel should contact 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 and Exemption Certificates can be renewed for a 3 month period.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Allowance per person per day is 142ml of spirit or 1,136ml of wine, beer or stout, 1,136ml, 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.
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: 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
Port services
updated Jan 2023Repairs
Not available.
Dry docks
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available if ordered in advance.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Lahad Datu Hospital (4km).
Crew change
Not possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Lahad Datu Airport (3km).
Working hours
Normally 0730-1130hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Overtime available on request.
About Lahad Datu
updated Mar 2023Where it is
The port is situated on the N shore of Darvel Bay in E Sabah.
The port
It is a major port in the area, sheltered with 2 small anchorages, engaged in the export of copra, palm oil, cocoa and timber. There are also facilities for handling containers and tankers. The private operators (POIC) maintain the large bulk palm oil storage facilities in the port's adjacent area. The port is marked for major development of palm oil and the biomass/fertiliser trade from palm tree waste.
Traffic
Approx 4,000,000 of cargo and 4 TEU are handled annually.
Questions about Lahad Datu
What are the pilot arrangements at Lahad Datu?
Not compulsory.
What time zone is Lahad Datu in?
Local time at Lahad Datu is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Lahad Datu?
The deepest berth listed is at POIC Liquid Bulk Terminal: 20.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Lahad Datu?
1025.
Which load line zone is Lahad Datu in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Lahad Datu?
Port State Control at Lahad Datu: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lahad Datu?
The UN/LOCODE of Lahad Datu is MYLDU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lahad Datu 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.