Massawa

Size limits

LOA 210m, draught 12m, beam 32.2m, 58,459DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.2m.

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

Approach

The fairway of the entrance channel is indicated by the alignment, on a bearing of 243.5°, of leading lights exhibited at the N end of Taulud from two white metal framework towers with black bands, on white square concrete bases, the front tower 10m in height, the rear 15m in height.

The least depth on the leading line through the entrance and through the middle of the harbour to the anchorage is over a wreck with a swept depth of 10.7m lying in the middle of the entrance, 0.2nm from the front leading light structure.

Danger Area: Vessels are advised not to enter the danger circle which lies 2nm E of Ras el Garara, owing to the presence of unexploded ordinance.

Port limits

Harbour limits are bounded by lines extending E from the coast from the vicinity of Ras el Garara (15°39'N 039°29'E), and from a position 15°35'N 039°27'E which lies on the coast on the S side of Hargigo Bahir Selate, through to the meridian of 39°30'E

Anchorages

1. The principal anchorage for the port of Massawa is 8 cables Eastward from the Eastern extremity of Massawa Island in depths of 32 meters.

2. Good anchorage in depths of 11-12 can be obtained in Khor Dakiliyat about 1.2 cable west-north-wests of the head of Marina Pier.

3. Small vessels can anchor in the north western corner of Khor Dekliyat in Depths of 7-8m.

The port of Massawa has four recognized anchorage areas:

1. The principal anchorage for the port of Massawa is 8 cables Eastward from Eastern extremity of Massawa Island in depth of 32 meters.

2. Good anchorage in depth of 11-12m can be obtained in Khor Dakiliyat about 1.2 cable west-north wests of the head of Marina Pier

3. Small vessels can anchor in the north western corner of Khor Dakiliyat in depths of 7-8 meters.

Restrictions

Only one vessel at a time may manoeuvre within the harbour.

Caution: Navigational aids are unreliable, they may be unlit, out of position, or missing.

Special regulations are in force for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

Tugs

Compulsory for all vessels over 300GT. There are 2 tugs available, 1 x 1,800HP and 1 x 2,600HP.

Mooring

The Master of a vessel must ensure that use of the engines does not damage the harbour bed or banks. Use of mooring men is compulsory for the handling of lines.

Vessels normally drop anchor before berthing.

Charts and publications

BA 168, 143. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Communications

No coast radio station currently in use. Massawa State Port Agency has fax communication facilities, with plans to install GMDSS radio in the future.

Port and pilots:

VHF: Ch 16, 14 and 24.

Tel: +291 8 534272, 291 7 123206 (24-hr mobile)

Email: [email protected]

Port authority contact:

Call sign: Massawa Port

VHF: CH 14, 16 and 24.

Tel: 291 1 552122, 291 1 551015, 291 1 552493

Fax: 291 1 552016

Email: [email protected]

Harbormaster contact:

Tel: 291 8 534272, 291 7 239866 (24-hr mobile)

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

Tendered during local office hours.

Documents

Customs Office inspect/receive documents pertaining to cargo and crew declaration. Immigration receive Crew Lists.

Standard forms can be used for the above. Special forms required by agent, relating to ship particulars and cargo details, are brought onboard by the boarding clerk on berthing.

Health

Vessels with an infection onboard should inform the port health officer by radio, and anchor within the quarantine anchorage. All crew members must hold a valid immunisation certificate for yellow fever. Pratique is not granted by radio. Free pratique is normally granted after the vessel has berthed. On rare occasions it may be granted at the anchorage.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be extended.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Sufficient cigarettes for the duration of the vessel's stay in port and 1 or 2 bottles of liquor.

Immigration: Passports are to be handed over to Immigration officials who will retain them until the ship's departure clearance. Shore pass is issued on payment of a fee for each crew, valid for the vessel's stay in port.

Flags

All vessels must hoist the Eritrean flag and keep it flying at all times whilst in port.

Notices and regulations

Special regulations are in force for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

Main engines must not be immobilised without permission from the Port Authority.

Sufficient crew must be kept onboard during the vessels stay to enable the vessel to be moved at any time.

Landing from ships' boats on the off-lying islands is strictly prohibited and boats approaching these islands may be fired on without warning.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Maritime Transport.

Address: PO Box 679, Asmara, Eritrea.

Tel: +291 1 121317.

Fax:+291 1 121316.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repairs possible. Slipway for vessels up to 914GT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, via road tankers.

Bunkering: Fuel available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital in Massawa city centre.

Crew change

To be arranged through ship's agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Massawa Airport, 7km.

Airport facilities: Connection flight to Asmara, 100km from Massawa.

Nearest railway: Massawa.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs, 2200-0600hrs. After 1800hrs overtime rates apply.

Where it is

Massawa is situated on the W bank of the southern Red Sea.

The port

The port handles mainly general and bulk cargo, use for port delivering food, grains, cement and a range of construction and consumer goods. Containers including refrigerated, hazardous goods and tankers.

What are the pilot arrangements at Massawa?

Compulsory for all vessels over 100GT.

What time zone is Massawa in?

Local time at Massawa is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Massawa?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Massawa: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Massawa?

1025.

Which load line zone is Massawa in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Massawa?

Port State Control at Massawa: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Massawa?

The UN/LOCODE of Massawa is ERMSW.

What crews who called at Massawa 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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