PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Mina Saud
Pilot
updated Feb 2019Compulsory. Mooring Masters in their capacity as pilots board tankers in the anchorage area and pilot then to their berths. The pilots will supervise the mooring and unmooring and advice on loading procedures as Company Representative. Tankers should not close the loading berths without a pilot on board. The pilot boat is equipped with VHF.
Key data
updated Aug 2025Size limits
Habour: LOA 345.33m, beam 55m, 155,159DWT.
Offshore: Max LOA 370m, BCM 141.20m draught 17.6m and 400,000DWT
Water density
1025
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 2.5m (springs), 1.52m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mina Al Zour (Mina Saud) | 17.60 m | 370 m | 2 |
| Al Zour Refinery | 16.30 m | 277 m | 2 |
| LNG Import Terminal (LNGI) | — | 345 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2025Port limits
The port limits are defined by the inner anchorage, 1.5nm SE of the SPM berth.
Anchorages
Anchorage designated for waiting tankers is bounded by the following coordinates:
28°46.6'N 048°28.5'E
28°46.8'N 048°29.8'E
28°45.0'N 048°30.2'E
28°44.6'N 048°28.1'E
28°45.1'N 048°28.0'E
28°45.4'N 048°28.8'E.
An area in which anchoring is prohibited is established around the terminal, bounded by the following coordinates:
28°44.7'N 048°24.0'E (shore)
28°46.4'N 048°28.2'E
28°45.5'N 048°28.7'E
28°44.2'N 048°25.7'E
28°44.2'N 048°23.6'E (shore).
Restrictions
Deep draught tankers should avoid the shoals ESE of Ras az Zawr; when approaching the anchorage keep the refinery flare hearing less than 273°.
There are several oil fields with interconnecting submarine pipelines, along with numerous detached and charted dangers, lying off the coast of Kuwait.
Tugs
Two tugs are available, "Sarah 8" and "Sarah 9" with bollard pull of 60t. These tugs will stand by during berthing, throughout the loading operation and during unberthing of all vessels.
Mooring
A Mooring Master will board vessels in the tanker anchorage in position 28°45.8'N 048°29.4'E, about 5.0nm ENE of Ra's az Zawr.
Charts and publications
BA 1223, 3773. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Feb 2019Communications
Contact Information:
The terminal can be contacted, as follows:
1. Call sign: Mina az Zawr Marine
2. VHF: Ch 16
3. Facsimile: 965-23950078
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party.
Documents
1 copy of the Crew List is received by both customs and health, 2 copies are received by the agent of which 1 is submitted to immigration after attesting same from health authority.
Both copies of Vaccination List are received by health authority.
Both copies of the Crew List and Stores List are received by customs.
Customs and Health forms are delivered onboard by their respective officers. These are to be completed and returned to the boarding officers.
Health
Free pratique is granted after berthing.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed in Kuwait.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Alcohol is prohibited by law. Penalties for transgressors will be decided by a court and could result in a jail sentence.
Immigration: On arrival, agent will collect all Passports/Seaman's Books and these will be deposited with the immigration department for the period of the vessel's stay in port.
For the issuance of shore passes, a copy of the Crew List is to be submitted to the agent 3 working days prior to arrival in order to obtain approval from the immigration authorities. Each crew member requires a personal photograph.
Flags
Kuwait flag and "Q" flag must be displayed on arrival. Non compliance could result in a warning or monetary penalty.
Notices and regulations
Maximum arrival draught permitted must not exceed 13.0m and maximum departure draught 17.6m.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior, Port Security Department.
Position: Head of Port Security Department.
Tel: +965 484 3599.
Fax: +965 483 6334.
Mob: +965 902 6496
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2010Repairs
Major repair facilities available at Kuwait shipyard. Minor emergency repairs possible.
Dry docks
None.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available in small quantities by barge.
Bunkering: Available by bunker barge through vessel's agent.
Stores: Can be arranged through agent.
Medical
Medical facilities are available.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Kuwait International (90km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Mina Saud
updated Feb 2019Where it is
Mina Saud is situated on the S coast of Kuwait, in the Kuwaiti sector of the Partitioned Neutral Zone. Mina Saud Marine Terminal is located S of Ras Az Zour, approx 20nm x 244° from Madira Reef Light vessel.
The port
The port is an oil-loading terminal.
Questions about Mina Saud
What are the pilot arrangements at Mina Saud?
Compulsory. Mooring Masters in their capacity as pilots board tankers in the anchorage area and pilot then to their berths.
What time zone is Mina Saud in?
Local time at Mina Saud is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Mina Saud?
The deepest berth listed is at Mina Al Zour (Mina Saud): 17.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Mina Saud?
1025
Which load line zone is Mina Saud in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Mina Saud?
The UN/LOCODE of Mina Saud is KWMIS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Mina Saud 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.