Mina al Fahal

1. Mina al Fahl pilot boarding Pilot boards23°41.9′N 058°31.2′E

Size limits

LOA 339.76m, BCM 191.0m, draught (no restriction) and 554,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Spring tides rise about 3.0m. . No tidal restrictions on berthing and unberthing. Tidal currents in the area are predominantly E/W or W/E setting. Tidal information is based on Muscat.

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

Approach

Approach/departure channel: None, open approach. A distance of at least 1nm must be kept off Fahal Island.

Caution: Attention is drawn to the 14m patch on the eastern side close to Fahal Island.

Anchorages

Anchorage area is shown on Admiralty chart BA 3522 and Omani chart 255, W of Fahal Island.

Waiting Anchorage: A designated waiting anchorage area has been established and is shown on BA and Omani charts. This anchorage is for vessels awaiting orders within the territorial waters of the Sultanate of Oman and no other anchorage may be used. Special regulations are in force for all vessels using the waiting anchorage and such vessels are liable for harbour dues except for tankers waiting to proceed to the SBM moorings.

Restrictions

Loaded tankers calling for bunkers are berthed in daylight only, other berthing is by day and night. Berthing may be restricted in winter months due to swell and sea height.

A continuous forecastle watch must be maintained during the vessels stay to report the SBM position in relation to the ships bow; under certain conditions of wind and tide a vessel has a tendency to ride up to the buoy.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs available throughout 24 hours. This can be supplemented if required by additional tugs from Mina Sultan Qaboos. If the Master requires either option of additional tugs then a request should be made to "Fahal Pilots" via VHF Ch 12 or UHF Ch 1. Two tugs are used, one tug for berthing and one tug for hose handling.

If a vessel is deep draught (see "Max size") when berthing to SBM No 01, an additional tug will be on standby to assist as required.

On departure, to assist the vessel in manoeuvring clear from the SBM, a tug(s) may be instructed by the pilot to push on the port/starboard bow, and/or port/starboard stern. Tugs are equipped with fire fighting capabilities.

To secure tugs vessels are required to have available, prior to arrival, soft mooring ropes in excess of 80mm diameter, on the starboard shoulder forward and centre poop fairlead aft. If a vessel is fitted with mooring ropes in the range 72-80mm, then this will be acceptable, provided these are of a standard length of 220m.

Mooring

In order to comply with the above, as a minimum the vessel should have its propeller immersed with a max trim of 1.5%.

Vessels will not be permitted to berth if the above conditions cannot be followed at all times.

Berthing at SBM's: Vessels berth head on to a single buoy mooring system comprising two nylon grommet-type mooring lines which terminate with chafe chains for securing on board using the vessel's bow chain stoppers. Vessels which are not fitted with approved 76mm tongue or hinged type bow stoppers will not be accepted for crude/residue loading operations at Mina al Fahal SBM No 3 comprises of only one mooring line and chafe chain, but a second can be fitted as and when required.

Two suitable messengers of 28mm min diameter rigged to individual winches should be provided by the ship to lift the end of the two 80mm diameter polypropylene pick-up ropes from the tug. A pilot and Berthing Master Assistant will board the vessel for mooring and will advise the details of the mooring procedure.

Hose connections will be made on the port side amidships. Crude/residue loading ships should fit 2 x 16in reducers. The derrick/crane should be rigged with equipment in good condition and have min SWL of 10t.

White oil vessels berthing on SBM No 3 should fit 8in reducers. The crane or derrick should have a min SWL of 5t.

Hose connection and disconnection is carried out by the ship's crew with advice from the Berthing Master's Assistant.

Coastal tanker mooring: There is one inshore berth for coastal tankers. Pilotage is compulsory for berthing, whilst a tug must be in attendance for unberthing and escorting the coastal tanker clear from the port area. Berthing is only permitted in daylight, whilst unberthing is permitted day or night. Permission must be obtained from Fahal Pilot on VHF Ch 12 prior to departure.

Coastal tankers will not be berthed if wind is more than 10kts and/or sea wavelets are more than 0.5m in height.

The max draught permissible is 4.5m. Vessels moor using both anchors forward and ships mooring ropes to a buoy on each quarter. Vessels must have fully operational anchor equipment with minimum of 6 shackles on the cable. The stern manifold crane must have certified SWL of 2t.The hose is connected to the vessel's stern discharge line.

Tankers must arrive with clean ballast, lines and pumps. No shore ballast reception facilities are available. Private radio channels in the UHF band are used for ship/shore/tug communication during all operations.

The Berthing Master's Assistant, acting as shore representative, stays on board at the SBM. Vessels are requested to provide him with proper accommodation and meals. As Oman is a Muslim country, the appropriate type of food, that is no pork or pork products, should be supplied. Any failure to comply with this request will result in delays to vessel and complications with the local authorities.

Charts and publications

BA 3518, 3522. Omani 254, 255. US Publication 172. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

NB: Pilot will wish to inspect chain register/wire certificates on boarding or before hose connection.

Communications

VHF: "Fahal Control" or "Fahal Pilot": Ch 12.

Communications should be established as soon as possible, but at least 2 hours prior to arrival. A 24 hour watch is maintained on Ch 12 only. The range of the station is approx 50nm but may be reduced to 20nm when approaching from the E due to the screening effect of the mountains. This station may call ships on Ch 16 but a watch will not be maintained on Ch 16.

All vessels, when in port or lying off Mina al Fahal, should keep watch on Ch 12. The berthing tugs are also equipped with Ch 12.

During cargo operations: UHF radio Ch 01 is provided for communication between ship/shore/tug and is utilised throughout all operations. Cargo operations are conducted via Fahal Control on UHF Ch 01 with VHF Ch 12 as back up. All vessels must have Ch 12 available in their Cargo Control Room. As an alternative, hand held VHF radios under the control of the OOW are acceptable.

Vessels are required to give 1 hour, 30 min, 15 min, 5 min and "standby for stopping" notification prior to completion of cargo.

For vessels undertaking cargo operations on SBM 3 or loading fuel oil on SBM 2, communications are with Shell Oman Marketing on Ch 06, callsign "Shell Oman".

Notice of readiness

NOR usually accepted by pilot at boarding time, dependent on accepted date range of vessel.

Documents

Cargo documentation: One set of blank Bills of Lading will be signed by the Master. Once loading is completed the cargo figures will be advised to agents. If differences occur the Master can protest through the agents. If all is correct the Master authorises agents to sign on his behalf. Mina al Fahal (MAF) also operates early departure procedure (EDP). Agent can be authorised to sign Bill of Lading by Master.

PDO follow the early departure procedure for completion of cargo documents. The pilot on departure requires the ship's metric tonne cargo loaded figure within one and a half hours of completion of loading. The unberthing operation will commence immediately after the hoses are disconnected with the vessel being told to anchor until the vessel provides a ship figure if this is not made available prior to the pilot's departure.

On departure you will be given a provisional Certificate of Quantity and Quality with all shore figures entered. These shore figures are provisional only and may be subject to change by Government officials. Confirmation or any amendment will be telexed to you within 3 days of your departure and the figures should then be transferred to your cargo documents.

In order to comply with the EDP the Master is required to sign cargo documents with the cargo figures omitted as presented by the shore officials. These will include Bill of Lading and Cargo Manifest, some of which will be returned ashore for despatch as instructed by consignee/shipper. If the EDP is not required the Master may authorise the agent to sign the documents on his behalf. The original of this letter is to be returned to the pilot for use by the Terminal and Government officials whilst the Master retains a copy for the local agent.

Upon receipt of confirmation of the shore figures and if authorising the agent the Master is requested to contact the agent and instruct him to sign the cargo documents on his behalf.

Before the ship is released, the Master is required to return to the pilot the completed PDO Ullage Report, a copy of the Vessel's Experience Factor, the Berthing Master Assistants safety check lists, the ESD and UHF radio. The pilot will receive all Letters of Protest at the same time. The Berthing Master Assistant is instructed not to sign for any papers. The Chief Officer should also ensure that the UHF radio charger and spare battery have been returned to the Berthing Master Assistant after completion of cargo.

Customs and immigration

Two copies of Crew List and 1 copy of Bonded Stores List (Customs) required.

Notices and regulations

Anchorage regulations: Vessels wishing to carry out maintenance activities involving the disabling of the main engine and/or over side testing of lifeboat are advised to gain permission from the Director of Maritime Affairs via their agent and advise on completion of this work.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate of Ports and Maritime Affairs.

Position: Director of Maritime Affairs.

Address: PO Box 684, Muscat, 113, Oman.

Tel: +968 693530

Fax: +968 694224

Mob: +968 942 8103

Email: [email protected]

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available ex barge by special arrangement from Port Sultan Qaboos.

Bunkering: Marine fuel is available at SBM 01 and SBM 02. Diesel fuel is supplied at SBM 03. A wide range of marine lubricants is available, supplied in drums. Gas oil available ex barge.

Stores: Stores (fresh, frozen and bonded) are available but at least 24 hours notice to vessel's agent is required.

Medical

Nearest hospital: NMC Specialty Hospital in Ruwi, 9.2km.

Crew change

Repatriation may be carried out, but vessels are asked to give max notice to agents, in order that visas can be obtained (at least 10 days notice is advisable for personnel joining and leaving).

Transport

Nearest airport: Muscat International Airport, 26.3km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours a day.

Where it is

Mina al Fahal is situated approx 10km NW of Muscat on the Gulf of Oman.

The port

Mina al Fahal is an open sea port and the main oil export terminal for Oman, handling the export of crude and the import and export of gas oil and jet fuel. The port is also used as a bunker facility for loaded tankers departing the Gulf area.

Where does the pilot board at Mina al Fahal?

The pilot boards at Mina al Fahl pilot boarding, 23°41.9′N 058°31.2′E.

What time zone is Mina al Fahal in?

Local time at Mina al Fahal is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Mina al Fahal?

The deepest berth listed is at PDO Terminal: 4.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Mina al Fahal?

1025.

Which load line zone is Mina al Fahal in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Mina al Fahal?

Port State Control at Mina al Fahal: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Mina al Fahal?

The UN/LOCODE of Mina al Fahal is OMMFH.

What crews who called at Mina al Fahal 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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