PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Mohammedia
Pilot
updated May 2010- Mohammedia Oil Terminal boarding place Pilot boards33°46.0′N 007°22.5′W
- Mohammedia pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°43.5′N 007°22.2′W
Compulsory for vessels entering, leaving or shifting berth. The harbour pilot boards in position 33°43.5'N 007°22.2'W (E of harbour entrance), and for vessels bound for the Oil Terminal in position 33°46.2'N 007°23.0'W (in the vicinity of the approach lightbuoy). If the pilot is unable to board due to adverse weather, vessels should wait in the offing until conditions improve.
Advance notice of 24 hours must be given to the vessel's agents via Casablanca Radio. Pilots are available for vessels arriving during the night and wishing to enter the basin when conditions are possible. Pilotage for deep draught tankers is daytime only.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 277.17m, draught 17.0m, beam 48.0m, 158,409DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 3.7m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Terminal | 17.00 m | 277 m | 2 |
| Inland Port Terminal | 6.70 m | 121 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2017Approach
Vessels approaching Port de Mohammedia from W should do so on the alignment of the outer approach Leading Lights bearing 130°, which leads N of Basse de Mohammedia. These leading light structures are difficult to distinguish by day, but at night the front light is intensified between the bearing of 119.5° and 140.5°.
A can lightbuoy (special) 0.4nm N, helps identify the wave recorder lightbuoy and marks the N extent of the area.
The line bearing (130°) of the Outer Approach Leading Lights, leads within the entry prohibited area.
When the direction light near the water tower bears 205°, vessels should steer on this alignment, this light structure is difficult to distinguish by day.
Vessels approaching from N should do so on the 205° alignment, at night keeping within the white sector of the direction light between the bearings of 203° and 207°.
When the light structure standing at the head of Jetee Sud is in line with the tower of the Custom house, bearing 247.5°, course should be altered on to this line which leads to the entrance to the harbour.
The two lights situated on the W side of the harbour, in line bearing 265°, lead into the harbour.
Anchorages
Tankers usually anchor NW to N of the breakwater between a distance of 3-5nm from the head of the breakwater. In the case of heavy swell or strong wind it is safer for tankers in the anchorage area to leave their position and drift at least 20nm from the coast, watch should be maintained on VHF Ch 11 and 16.
Anchorage can be obtained 2nm NE of Cap de Mohammedia in depths of 16.0m. Anchorage can also be obtained in Baie de Mohammedia 0.65nm E of Cap de Mohammedia and S of the prohibited anchorage area, in a depth of 12.0m, good holding ground. In bad weather this anchorage becomes dangerous due to heavy swell and comparatively shallow water.
Prohibited Anchorage: An entry prohibited area, with a radius of 750m, has been established centred on a wave recorder lightbuoy, 1nm NNE of the head of Digue Principale.
Anchoring and fishing are prohibited in the area of the oil pipelines.
Submarine cables and pipelines: From the vicinity of Jetee Nord, four disused submarine pipelines and an underwater cable extend NE, into an anchorage and fishing prohibited area.
Restrictions
Berthing normally takes place during daylight and on high water if vessel is on max permissible draught. Vessels can unberth day and night.
Charts and publications
BA 8251, 859, 856. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Communications
Casablanca Radio and Tangier Radio are recommended for passing messages at long range, throughout 24 hours. Calling 2182kHz, receiving 2586kHz and 2663kHz.
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 11. Callsign "Mohammedia Port Radio".
Notice of readiness
NOR is tendered on arrival according to Charter Party.
Documents
CS = Customs; IM = Immigration; HA = Health Authorities.
Health
Pratique should be applied for immediately after berthing. In the event of any suspected diseases onboard, it is necessary to advise the Harbour Master's office and agent by radio, fax or telex 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.
The port conforms to the International Health Regulations 1969.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Notices and regulations
From the vicinity of Jetee Nord, four disused submarine pipelines and an underwater cable extend NE, into a prohibited area for anchorage and fishing.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere de L'Equipement et du Transport - Direction des Ports et du Domaine Public Maritime
Post: Director des Ports et du Domaine Public
Address: Direction des Ports et du Domaine Public, Hay Nahda II, Takadoum, B.P. 5131.
Tel: + 212 37 755758
Fax: + 212 37 750011
E-mail: [email protected]
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2017Repairs
Minor repairs can be carried out by a local shipyard; there is a slipway with a capacity of 250t.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker from Casablanca.
Medical
Hospital Moulay Abdellah in Mohammedia, 3.5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Mohammed V, Casablanca, 40km.
Nearest railway: Mohammedia.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1200hrs and 1400-1800hrs or 0700-1500hrs and 1500-2300hrs. Overtime available on request.
About Mohammedia
updated Jan 2023Where it is
Mohammedia is situated approx 20km NE of Casablanca.
The port
The port consists of a small protected harbour and a finger pier for large tankers, protected by an extensive breakwater. The port is mainly used by tankers, both large and small, fishing vessels and some general cargo vessels. The harbour is approached from the NE, the entrance width is 82m with a dredged channel depth of 7.6m, for general cargo and fishing vessels.
Safe anchorage can be obtained to the E/NE of the port, avoiding the buoys marking the underwater pipelines to the tanker pier; and also approx 3.5nm to the N. The tanker berths handle crude oil, fuel oil, LPG, naphtha and some products.
Traffic
Approx 5,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Mohammedia
Where does the pilot board at Mohammedia?
The pilot boards at Mohammedia Oil Terminal boarding place, 33°46.0′N 007°22.5′W. Mohammedia has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Mohammedia in?
Local time at Mohammedia is UTC+0. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Mohammedia?
The deepest berth listed is at Petroleum Terminal: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Mohammedia?
1025.
Which load line zone is Mohammedia in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Mohammedia?
The UN/LOCODE of Mohammedia is MAMOH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Mohammedia 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.