Lobito

1. Lobito pilot boarding place Pilot boards12°19.7′S 013°34.8′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 258.91m, beam 36m, 64,195DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 184.06m, BCM 82.75m, draught 11m, 40,219DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

MHWS-MLWS 1.7m, MHWN-MLWN 1.3m.

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

Approach

The navigable width at the entrance to the bay is approx 0.2nm and within it increases to approx 0.65nm.

Controlling depths: The harbour has depths of 14m to 31m and is marked by buoys. There is a charted depth of 14.5m, 0.2nm NNE of the entrance to the buoyed channel. Depths of less than 10m encroach the SE side of the buoyed channel between No 2 and No 4 Lightbuoys (porthand).

Approach and entry: The port is approached from NNW and entered via a short buoyed channel between Ponta da Restinga (12°18.9'S 013°35.0'E), and a point on the shore 0.7nm E. When approaching Lobito from S, vessels should keep well off the coast until NNW of Lobito Light.

Caution: The buoys marking the seaward entrance of the harbour fairway are often moved and are not to be depended upon.

From a position offshore, NNW of Lobito Light, the track leads SSE to a position approx 0.5nm NNW of Lobito Light, passing (with positions relative to Lobito Light):

ENE of Ponta da Restinga (0.8nm WNW), from which a light (red metal framework tower, white bands, 11m in height) is exhibited. Then course is adjusted SW to enter the bay through a short buoyed channel approx 0.2nm wide and marked by lightbuoys (lateral), passing:

NW of Lobito Light, then SE of Ponta da Restinga (0.8nm WNW). Then, NW of No 4 Lightbuoy (0.6nm W).

Then the track leads to the vicinity of the pilot boarding position (1nm SW) between No 4 and 6 Lightbuoys.

Anchorages

The anchorage depths vary between 10.5 and 34m, with a maximum high tide of 2m and a minimum of 0.2m.

Outer anchorage: Waiting anchorage with good holding may be obtained in the harbour, in depths of between 13.9m and 27m, mud. It is recommended that large vessels avoid the SW part of this anchorage because it tends to be occupied by numerous small vessels.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the fairway between the waiting anchorage and the inshore side of the sand spit.

Restrictions

Vessels may only enter the harbour between 0730 and 2000hrs, unless special permission has been obtained from the Port Authority to enter at night.

The max speed permitted in the harbour is 8kts.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs available, 480-750hp. Compulsory for vessels over 500GT, and 2 required for vessels over 6,000GT.

Charts and publications

BA 1215, 308. US Publication 123. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival or 48 hours if it coincides with the weekend or a holiday.

Communications

VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, 09, Tel: + 244 27 222 2711, Fax: +244 27 222 2717, Email: [email protected]. Daylight hours only.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: National Directorate of Merchant Marine and Ports.

Contact person: National Director.

Address: CP 2393, Rua Rainha Ginga, No 74, 4 Andar, Luanda, Angola.

Tel: +244 2 390034.

Fax: +244 2 310375.

Mob: +244 92 439336/ +244 91 516620.

Telex: 3352 MARPORT AN

E-mail: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Repairs to engines, electrical equipment and other minor repairs can be affected. Divers available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by pipeline at berths, a water barge is also available.

Bunkering: Fuel and gas oil available.

Medical

Medical facilities are available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Catumbela, 13km and Benguela, 33km.

Nearest railway: The port is connected to the national rail network.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri: 0730-1200hrs, 1330-1700hrs. Overtime 1200-2400hrs, 0000-0730hrs. Sat-Sun and Holidays: 0730-2400hrs and 0000-0730hrs. Sun and holidays all work at overtime rates.

Where it is

Lobito is located on the west coast of the African continent.

The port

The port is formed by a sand spit 4.8km in length, with an approach depth of 18.3m. There are facilities for general cargo, bulk, tanker and container vessels.

Traffic

Approx 1,300,000t of cargo, 49,000TEU and 300 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Lobito?

The pilot boards at Lobito pilot boarding place, 12°19.7′S 013°34.8′E.

What time zone is Lobito in?

Local time at Lobito is UTC+1. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Lobito?

The deepest berth listed is at Lobito Ocean Terminal (TOL): 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lobito?

1025.

Which load line zone is Lobito in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lobito?

The UN/LOCODE of Lobito is AOLOB.

What crews who called at Lobito 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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