PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lome
Pilot
updated Jan 2015- Lome pilot boarding place Pilot boards06°05.4′N 001°19.9′E
Compulsory for vessels over 300GT, and is available on a 24 hour basis. However, vessels wishing to depart between midnight and 0600 must give written notice to the pilot office by 2200 the previous day. Vessels waiting for pilots must anchor approx 0.5nm to 1.0nm SSW off the main breakwater.
Pilots boards in position 06°07.32'N 001°17.52'E.
Key data
updated Sep 2026Size limits
LOA 399.99m, draught 15.90m, beam 61.51m, 281,456DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.20m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lome Container Terminal (LCT) | 15.90 m | 400 m | 3 |
| Mole 2 and 3 | 14.00 m | 304 m | 3 |
| Lome Ore | 13.30 m | 228 m | 1 |
| Lome STSL | 12.50 m | 250 m | 1 |
| Mole 1 | 12.00 m | 214 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Sep 2026Approach
Entrance through channel between breakwaters, 295m wide, 14.5m depth.
The harbour is protected to the S by main breakwater which is illuminated throughout its length; a light is exhibited from a red concrete tower at the head. A lightbuoy is moored 0.35nm E of the head of main breakwater.
East breakwater projects approx 0.5nm S from a position approx 0.5nm SE of the root of main breakwater. A light is exhibited from a green tower at the head of E breakwater.
Anchorages
The designated anchorage is in the white sector of "Baguida" Light bounded on the E by the alignment of the breakwater lights, from 0.5nm to 1nm from main breakwater in depths of 15.0m
Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited NE of a line drawn 154° from the main breakwater.
Restrictions
A submarine pipeline runs through the prohibited anchorage area.
Tugs
There are 3 tugs available, 1 tug is compulsory for all vessels over 500GT and 2 tugs are compulsory for all vessels over 10,000GT.
Charts and publications
BA 1384. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2015Communications
VTS: Port: Ch 16, 12, 14. Tel: +228 2227 0457. Fax: +228 2227 4169.
Pilots: Ch 16, 12, 14.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Capitainerie du Port Autonome de Lome.
Position: Port Facility Security Officer.
Tel: +228 227 4742
Fax: +228 227 4169
Mob: +228 904 7089
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Available, minor repairs only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
Available at Lome.
Transport
Nearest airport: Lome International, approx 6km.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Sat 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs. Sun 0600-1400hrs. Sat-Sun work is overtime.
About Lome
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Port of Lome is 5nm E of the town of Lome, situated 23nm NE of Cape Saint Paul.
The port
Lome is both the capital and principal port of Togo. The port is well sheltered by two breakwaters and has facilities to accommodate general cargo, bulk and container vessels, Ro-Ro's and tankers. The port is a transhipment port for Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso.
Traffic
Approx 29,000,000t of cargo and 1,900,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Lome
Where does the pilot board at Lome?
The pilot boards at Lome pilot boarding place, 06°05.4′N 001°19.9′E.
What time zone is Lome in?
Local time at Lome is UTC+0. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Lome?
The deepest berth listed is at Lome Container Terminal (LCT): 15.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Lome?
1025.
Which load line zone is Lome in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lome?
The UN/LOCODE of Lome is TGLFW.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lome 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.