PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Malabo
Pilot
updated Dec 2010- Malabo pilot boarding place Pilot boards03°46.6′N 008°46.3′E
Compulsory for berthing but not available for unberthing. The pilot boards 0.1nm off the berth.
Contact pilot on VHF Ch 14 or 16. The pilot boat has a white superstructure and blue hull.
Key data
updated Apr 2021Size limits
LOA 175m, draught 8.0m, 15,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
HW: 1.76m
LW: 0.3m
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malabo MBM | 10.00 m | 130 m | 1 |
| K5 Oil Centre (Malabo New Port) | — | 175 m | 5 |
| Malabo Terminal | — | 175 m | 6 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2013Approach
The port is approached between Punta de la Unidad Africana (03°45.7'N 008°47.1'E) and Islotes de Enrique, 0.45nm SW.
Anchorages
There are anchorages available 1.5nm from the entrance to the port. A recommended anchorage is approx 0.55nm of Punta Pilon, in depths of 29.0m, mud.
Restrictions
Berthing during day light hours only.
Tugs
One tug, the "Cabo Nchaso", with a capacity of 330hp is available.
Charts and publications
BA 1321. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Advise agent of ETA 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 14 and 16. Tel: +240 9 2669.
Standard messages
Messages are sent by the port to an arriving vessel.
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered to the agent immediately on arrival of the vessel.
Documents
Cargo documentation: Completion of paperwork is carried out onboard the vessel when docked. The documents are then handed to the agent by the ship's Master for delivery to the port authorities, customs, etc. This enables unloading and loading work to commence and sailing to occur immediately upon completion.
Health
Local regulations, relating to health matters, undertaken when the vessel has berthed.
Customs and immigration
Customs check the crew's cabins according to the Personal Crew Effects List presented to them.
Flags
The agent can arrange for the national flag to be supplied, which is very important, otherwise a fine will have to be paid.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio de Communicaciones & Malabo, Directorate General of Transports and Civil Aviation.
Address: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Tel: +240 92605.
Fax: +240 92515.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that vessels arriving at US ports from ports in Equatorial Guinea, with the exception of Ceiba, K-5 Oil Center, Luba, Punta Europa Terminal and Zafiro Marine Terminal, will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures.
Port services
updated Mar 2021Repairs
Small repairs only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker in New Port and pipeline in Old Port.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hospital General de Malabo (1km), Malabo Public Regional Hospital (2km)
Transport
Nearest airport: Malabo International Airport (7km)
Working hours
Stevedore shifts: Mon-Fri 0800-1500hrs. Sat 0800-1200hrs.
About Malabo
updated Jun 2020Where it is
Malabo is located on the N of the Island of Bioko, Gulf of Guinea, in the Atlantic Ocean.
The port
Malabo, also known as Rey Malabo, is the capital of Equatorial Guinea. The port has facilities for general and break bulk cargoes and tanker vessels but also services the offshore industry.
An MBM is located close West of the main port area. A refinery and LNG terminal are located at Punta Europa Terminal, 10km to the West (see separate entry).
Main imports: Include food products, construction materials, used vehicles, used clothing. Exports: Include Cocoa beans, timber and crude oil.
Questions about Malabo
Where does the pilot board at Malabo?
The pilot boards at Malabo pilot boarding place, 03°46.6′N 008°46.3′E.
What time zone is Malabo in?
Local time at Malabo is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Malabo?
The deepest berth listed is at Malabo MBM: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Malabo?
1025.
Which load line zone is Malabo in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Malabo?
The UN/LOCODE of Malabo is GQSSG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Malabo 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.