Miri

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 78.1m, beam 16m, 3,000DWT.

Offshore: LOA 251.56m, BCM 44m, draught 17.01m, 116,337DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.5m.

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

Approach

The port is approached from seaward through the dredged channel of the new mouth of Sungai Miri.

The entrance channel has a width of 140m and a minimum dredged depth on the centreline of 3.0m. When the channel is dredged to 5.0m, vessels of up to 5,000t will be able to enter the port.

Approach from W: From a position E of Takau Shoal, the track leads E towards the oil tanks at Miri (04°24.4'N 113°59.4'E) to the anchorage and pilot boarding position for Lutong Terminal or the Miri anchorage. In reduced visibility keep in depths greater than 22m until Tanjung Lobang is sighted. At night the white oil tanks generally show up well.

Approach from N: When approaching Tanjung Baram from N, a distance of at least 6nm should be given to the point of the shoals to the W. From a position E or W Bakau Oil Field, the track leads S direction passing W of West Lutong Oil Field and Lutong Oil Terminal, then to the anchorages or pilot boarding station.

Caution: SBM No 5 (04°26.8'N 113°53.8'E) at the SW corner of the Oil Terminal is unlit.

Entry: From the vicinity of 04°24.1'N 113°56.4'E and the anchorages the approach leads E passing N of two dangerous wrecks with depths of 5.3m over them, N of a dangerous wreck (04°23.4'N 113°57.4'E), and N of a second dangerous wreck lying 0.5nm farther E.

The entrance channel to Sungai Miri, marked on the N side of the entrance by a beacon (04°24.1'N 113°58.4'E) leads E for about 0.6nm into the river.

Caution: Navigation is restricted and mariners are advised to exercise care when using this channel; daylight navigation is recommended and departing vessels have priority.

Port limits

All navigable waters up to the HW mark and all land from the HW mark to the land boundary within the following limits:

Inner limit: Batang Baram with the HW lines, from the line delineating the coastal HW line at the river mouth, upstream to the geographical parallel across the river at 03°45.00'N.

Outer limit: From a point on the coastal HW line on the Sarawak/Brunei International boundary, approx 04°00.3'N 114°36.45'E. Then along a line drawn in a 324° direction to its intersection with the limit of the Sarawak territorial sea, 04°48.5'N 113°57.2'E, approx. Then NE along the boundary of Sarawak territorial sea to its intersection with the International boundary between Sarawak and Brunei on the continental shelf approx 04°48.6'N 113°57.2'E. Then along the same International boundary to the initial point defined above.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: Anchorage may be obtained in depths of 9.0m, 3nm NNW of Tanjung Lobang (04°22.0'N 113°58.0'E). Loading and discharging of cargo is carried out from lighters of 25 to 150t capacity. When at anchor off Miri, even in a gale with a high sea, vessels always lie head to the tidal stream with the swell on their beam. Swell often restrict cargo work to the landward side only.

SBM: There is a designated anchorage outside the SW limit of the oil field, 2nm S of SBM No 5.

Caution: Vessels are cautioned against anchoring within West Lutong Oil Field, an area extending 7nm W of Lutong. Numerous uncharted pipelines and oil wells exist in this area.

When approaching Miri in thick weather and if unable to reach either anchorage, vessels are recommended to anchor further W in 18.0-23.0m, rather than remain underway.

Restrictions

The Miri Bar is shallow with a narrow channel which changes course seasonally and should not be crossed without local knowledge or pilot.

Vessels with immigrants should anchor 3.5nm NNW of Tanjung Lobang and 2nm offshore.

Tugs

Available from private companies or the Miri Lighter Association.

Mooring

Port mooring gangs will assist in the berthing of vessels.

Charts and publications

BA 1949, 2109, 3838. Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Master of vessel should advise ETA at intervals of 96, 72 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Accurate ETA can be provided via Sarawak Shell VHF station (Lutong Radio) which operates throughout 24 hours on VHF Ch 18 and 22 via Lutong Radio Tower. (The vessel's agent should give notice of ETA at least 36 hours in advance to the Port Authorities.)

Communications

Singapore and Kuching Radio stations, which work throughout 24 hours, can be used for passing messages. There is no radio station at Lutong.

VHF: Ch 16, calling and safety; Ch 20, Marine Department (port operations);

Ch 25 and 27, public correspondence.

Lutong Oil Terminal: Ch 18, 22.

Pilot vessel & launches: Ch 18.

Health

The Bill of Health should be advised at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Quarantine signal must be shown on arrival. If vessel comes from an infected port or if state of health is suspect, the Medical Officer may board in order to inspect crew and relevant International Medical Certificates. Medical treatment of an urgent nature is available ashore subject to weather conditions, at the Government Hospital. The Master must give notice of his medical requirements.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Each crew member is allowed 25 cigarettes and 1,135ml of alcoholic drink per day.

Notices and regulations

As per MPA By-Laws.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Marine Industrial Control Division.

Contact person: Director.

Address: PO Box 12, 42007 Port Klang, Malaysia.

Tel: +60 3 3346 7777.

Fax: +60 3 3168 4454.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.marine.gov.my

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

Repairs

Small repairs of an urgent nature can be undertaken in the Authority workshop.

Dry docks

There is a private dockyard located upstream on the Miri River.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Supplied through the Miri Water Authority mains pipeline to vessels alongside the Authority's wharf.

Lutong Oil Terminal: No fresh water or boiler water available.

Bunkering: Fuel oil can be arranged at the Shell and Esso stations upstream of the port area.

Stores: Lutong Oil Terminal: Limited supply of provisions, 72 hours notice should be given.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Miri Government Hospital (3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Miri Airport (13km).

Working hours

Mon-Thu 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Fri 0800-1130hrs and 1430-1700hrs. Sat 0800-1200hrs. Overtime: The Authority allows working of vessels after office hours. This can be arranged with prior approval from the Port and Royal Customs Department.

Where it is

The port of Miri is situated on the NW coast of Sarawak.

The port

Miri is a shallow, general cargo port with offshore tanker facilities at Lutong. The Miri Port Authority plan a dredging programme to increase the port's potential.

Vessels may anchor off the port at Kuala Baram in 9.0m of water where they are worked by lighters from the Miri Lighter Association.

The major commodities handled are iron and steel, household goods and electrical appliances, machinery and heavy tractors, foodstuff and cereals, timber/sawn timber, container, petroleum and petroleum products.

Traffic

Approx 3,300,000t of cargo, 23, 000TEU and 5,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Miri?

Compulsory only for vessels loading crude oil at the SBM, available 24 hours.

What time zone is Miri in?

Local time at Miri is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Miri?

The deepest berth listed is at Miri Crude Oil Terminal (MCOT): 17.01 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Miri?

1025.

Which load line zone is Miri in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Miri?

Port State Control at Miri: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Miri?

The UN/LOCODE of Miri is MYMYY.

What crews who called at Miri 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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