Maputo

1. Maputo deep-draft pilot boarding place Pilot boards25°41.5′S 032°51.5′E
2. Maputo pilot boarding place Pilot boards25°55.5′S 032°46.9′E

Size limits

LOA 330m, beam 50m, draught 15.4m, 209,537DWT.

Water density

1015-1018.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range max 3.9m and min 0.2m.

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

Approach

Deep approach is via a buoyed channel 56km in length, through the Barra Norte then via the Polana/Xefina Channels. Up river is via the Matola channel to the bulk terminal.

There is one access channels from the open sea leading into Maputo Bay, the North Channel with a limiting depth of 14.3m (Canal do Norte). The channel passes to the North of Portuguese Island (Ilha dos Portugueses) and is well marked by light buoys.

The distance from the North Channel entrance at Buoy 1N to the Pilot Station at Buoy 6 is 25 miles. From the Pilot Station at Buoy 6 the Xefina, Polana and Matola Channels lead into the wharves and terminals.The South Channel has a depth of 8.0m and saves 26nm if arriving from the south to the pilot station, however caution is required, see restrictions below.

The approach channels are marked by leading lights and lightbuoys. It is reported that some buoys are unlit and not in position, also, that some of the leading lights are unlit.

Note: Currently the Harbour Master requires all fully loaded vessels arriving/departing to use the North Channel from N entrance to pilot station on a rising tide, for safety.

Anchorages

Outer Anchorage: Near Buoy No 1N.

Inner Anchorages: Located eastwards of Buoy No 6.

Anchorages at the mouth of Rio Espirito Santo:

Anchorage with good holding, may be obtained in depths from 5.0m to 7.0m in the vicinity of No 15 Lightbuoy, SE of Canal da Polana Leading Line.

Anchorage, also with good holding, may be obtained in depths from 11.0m with Harbour Office Pier Light structure bearing 350° distance approx 0.5nm.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring in the river is prohibited NW of a line passing through the Cathedral and a tide gauge on the N entrance point of the camber close N of Harbour Office Pier, except as instructed by a pilot.

Restrictions

Maputo-Catembe Bridge: Currently under construction. Vessels should check latest Notices on navigation for the area. When finished, there will be a 60m clearance for ships.

The principal limitations on entry are the depths in the approaches to Baia de Maputo; a vessel able to cross the bar in Canal do Norte and to transit Canal da Xefina and Canal da Polana is able to proceed to berths within Maputo.

To ensure the safety of vessels entering and sailing from Maputo the Harbour Master/Port Captain has ruled that until further notice vessels may only enter and sail in daylight.

Bars: Barra Sul, S bar, to be navigated with caution until further notice, contact the Harbour Master for up to date information.

Barra North, N bar, depth at the N bar is 10.1m at all states of tide.

A magnetic anomaly in Baia de Maputo causes the variation to change rapidly, giving deflections from -2° to +3° from the normal.

Tugs

Three tugs available. 1 x 40t and 2 x 60t bollard pull tugs available.

Mooring

Vessels with ramps on starboard side can berth with the ebb tide. Should the ramps be port side vessels berth with the flood tide.

Charts and publications

BA 644, 646. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should inform the Port Captain, through Maputo Radio of their ETA and draught up to 48, 24, 12 and 2 hours prior to arrival. All vessels must report by VHF to the Pilot Station (Port Control) before or on arrival at No 4 Buoy.

Communications

There is a Coast Radio Station and a Port Radio Station at Maputo.

VHF: Port, Ch 16, 14 and 12.

Pilots, Ch 16, 12.

Agent, Ch 10.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered as per Charter Party.

Documents

Immigration, Customs, Health and Maritime Administration require copies of relevant documents.

Pilot supplies an Arrival Report which is to be completed whilst proceeding to berth. A Crew List is to be attached to the report.

Health

Vessels requiring pratique should, at night, exhibit 1 green light when passing Cabo Inhaca signal station and again when passing Ponta Vermelha signal station.

The Health Officer boards mail and passenger vessels at all hours of the day and night and other vessels during the day until 2200 hours.

Customs and immigration

Customs: An allowance of tobacco and spirits is allowed for each crew member. The bonded store is sealed for the duration of the vessel's stay in port.

Immigration: Passengers require a visa (emergency visas can be issued on arrival).

Crew can obtain a shore pass against surrender of a passport or Seaman's Book at the Immigration office. Their documents are returned when the shore pass is surrendered on return to the vessel within shore leave hours. There are heavy penalties for non compliance.

The agency boarding clerk will advise current shore leave hours in force at time of arrival.

Flags

It is obligatory to display the Mozambican flag. It can be acquired locally.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: National Institute for Maritime Affairs.

Address: Av Marques de Pombal, 279, Maputo, Mozambique.

Tel: +258 1 320552.

Fax: +258 1 324007.

Mob: +258 82 303988.

Email: [email protected].

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available via the agent.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Central de Maputo (3.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Maputo International Airport (6km).

Nearest railway: Maputo Railway Station in Maputo (2km).

Working hours

Mon to Sat 0700-1500hrs; 1500-2300hrs and 2300-0700hrs. Vessels wishing to work on Sun at the main wharf, general cargo berths will have to apply for permission with a min of 48 hours pre-advice. A surcharge for Sun work will be levied as per tariffs in force. At the mechanical installations work is carried out 7 days a week throughout 24 hours, except on Christmas and New Year's Day.

Where it is

Maputo is the capital and principal port of Mozambique, situated in the extreme S of the country on the N bank of the Espirito Santos.

The port

The port, operated by Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) and includes the Matola Bulk Terminal (8km W) and provides a variety of facilities for the handling of various types of cargoes, including coal and chrome. Besides serving the S part of the country, it is the most adequate port to serve Swaziland, Zimbabwe and part of South Africa (Transvaal). It is the premier Mozambican port for handling citrus, grain, steel, asbestos, sugar, coal, ferro-alloys, containers and other bulk cargoes. The loading rates and the daily productivity achieved in many areas is good and therefore it is an attractive port to charterers, owners and the regular shipping line principals.

Maputo Corridor System: The Maputo Corridor System is managed by Caminhos de Ferro de Mozambique Sul, the national ports and railways corporation (CFM-S). The Maputo corridor mainly serves traffic from Swaziland, Zimbabwe and the NE Transvaal region of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and consists of 3 railway lines which link to the port of Maputo. The Ressano Garcia rail line (88km in length) links Maputo with the RSA and carries commodities such as coal, sugar, citrus and steel from both the RSA and Zimbabwe. The Goba line (74km in length) links Maputo with Swaziland and caters to sugar, coal, molasses and pulp traffic. The 3rd railway line is the 534km Limpopo line which links Maputo with the NRZ system in Zimbabwe.

Traffic

Approx 32,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Maputo?

The pilot boards at Maputo deep-draft pilot boarding place, 25°41.5′S 032°51.5′E. Maputo has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Maputo in?

Local time at Maputo is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Maputo?

The deepest berth listed is at Bulk Mineral Terminal: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Maputo?

1015-1018.

Which load line zone is Maputo in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Maputo?

Port State Control at Maputo: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Maputo?

The UN/LOCODE of Maputo is MZMPM.

What crews who called at Maputo 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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