PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Mongla
Pilot
updated Aug 2010- Mongla (Pusur River) boarding, fair weather Pilot boards21°52.5′N 089°34.2′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels entering Zulfiquar Channel and no attempt should be made to navigate Pussur River without a pilot.
Requests for a pilot should be made 24 hours in advance to the Mongla port authorities at Khulna and the Hiran Point pilot station by radio, direct to the pilot station or via Khulna coast radio station, stating the following information: ETA at Mongla Fairway Lightbuoy, fresh water draught, speed available, length, tonnage and the quantity of fresh water required.
On approaching the river, the vessel will receive instructions from the pilot station as to the course to be followed and the depth of water on the bar. Vessels anchor SE of Hiran Point to await the pilot and may not proceed N of Mongla Lightbuoy without a pilot. The pilot vessel is equipped with radio. Vessels should have a boat rope and pilot ladder with hand ropes ready on the lee side.
Day and night pilotage is available, however night pilotage is restricted for vessels under LOA 145m, draught 6.5m and speed below 10kts.
There are 5 pilots based at Mongla, 57nm from the entrance of the river.
Key data
updated Oct 2020Size limits
Max LOA 182.98m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.5m, 50,806DWT.
Water density
Outer Bar 1005-1025, Mongla 1002-1015.
Load line zone
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Tides
MHWN 3.43m; MLWN 1.19m; MHWS 4.30m; MLWS 0.33m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omera Petroleum Limited | — | 119 m | 1 |
| Mongla Port | 8.50 m | 183 m | 5 |
| Holcim Bangladesh Limited | — | — | 1 |
| Meghna Cement Mills and LPG Ltd Terminal | 6.50 m | 118 m | 1 |
| Mongla Cement Factory | 6.10 m | — | 1 |
| Dubai Bangladesh Cement Mills Limited | — | — | 1 |
| Beximco LPG Unit – 1 Plant | — | — | 1 |
| BM Energy (BD) Ltd. - Khulna Mother Plant, Chalna | — | — | 1 |
| Delta LPG - Mongla LPG Storage and Bottling Plant | — | — | 1 |
| LAUGFS Gas | — | 120 m | 1 |
| Orion Gas | — | 106 m | 1 |
| Petromax Terminal | — | 120 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2020Approach
Pussur River between Akram Point (21°59'N 089°32'E) and Mongla, approx 40nm N, is fairly broad and easily navigable. The river is buoyed, however the buoys are likely to be altered without notice due to changes in the channel.
Vessels wishing to enter on a particular tide should arrive at Mongla Fairway Lightbuoy, approx 65nm from the port, at least 3 hours before HW. They should make for the lightbuoy but are warned not to attempt to cross the bar without detailed instructions, these will be passed by radio from the pilot station and must be carefully followed.
Entrance to the Pussur River, has an approx width of 2nm at the mouth and has a bar approx 5nm from the Fairway Buoy where the min depth is 6.2m.
Vessels drawing up to 7.0m can cross the bar in all seasons. During monsoons vessels up to 8.0m can cross the outer bar on the spring tide.
Anchorages
A further 9 vessels can anchor at the Hiron Point anchorage near Buoy B-18 in position 21°46.6'N 089°30.0'E. Depth of water at these anchorages is up to 10.0m. Bottom consist of soft mud and fine sand.
River Anchorages: Max depths of 8.5m CD at these anchorages. Vessels of up to 7.0m draught may use the anchorage and of slightly greater draught in the flood season. Vessels may also secure to mooring buoys, depth 8.0m CD. Cargo is transferred to inland river barges using Vessel's own gear.
Restrictions
Vessels up to max LOA 140m, and draught 6.5m may navigate inward and outward at night.
Tugs
There are 3 tugs available, including 1 tug for fire fighting.
Mooring
Vessels can moor to 8 mooring buoys in the river.
Charts and publications
IN 31. BA 90, 732. Admiralty Pilot NP21, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Incoming vessels must present themselves at Mongla Fairway Buoy at least 3 hours before HW at Hiron Point.
The master should send the following information to port control via Khulna Radio callsign "S3E" and Hiron Point pilot station callsign "S3K", 24 hours prior to arrival at Mongla Fairway Buoy.
Communications
VHF: Port Control/Harbour Control/Hiron Point: Ch 16, 11. Callsign "S3J" Khulna; "S3H" Mongla; "S3K" Hiron Point.
Health
On arrival at the Fairway Buoy, masters of vessels are required to send health report to port health, Khulna.
Notices and regulations
Crew members are not allowed to paint vessels while in the port. This is to be done by licensed contractors.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Shipping.
Position: Director General.
Address: 141-143, Motijheel C/A (8th Floor), Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.
Tel: +880 2 955 5128.
Fax: +880 2 716 8363.
Mob: +880 173 110137.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Oct 2020Repairs
Minor repairs can be arranged through Khulna shipyard and other private workshops.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available, by barges.
Bunkering: Fuel oil can be arranged, in limited quantities, if 48 hours advance notice is given.
Medical
Mongla Port Hospital, 0.8km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Jessore, 110km.
Nearest railway: Khulna.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Mongla
updated May 2021Where it is
Mongla is a river port located on the E bank of the Pussur River, in the Ganges Delta in SW Bangladesh.
The port
The port is well protected by a natural mangrove forest of Sunderbans. The port consist of different terminals and private jetties to handle mainly containers, breakbulk, cement, clinker, fly ash, LPG and bulk condensate oil. Lighters and barges are used to transfer grains from bulk carriers to a silo storage with capacity of 50,000t adjacent to a jetty located at Joymonirgol, 17km S of Mongla Port.
Traffic
Approx 11,000,000t of cargo, 60,000TEU and 1,200 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Mongla
Where does the pilot board at Mongla?
The pilot boards at Mongla (Pusur River) boarding, fair weather, 21°52.5′N 089°34.2′E.
What time zone is Mongla in?
Local time at Mongla is UTC+6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Mongla?
The deepest berth listed is at Mongla Port: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Mongla?
Outer Bar 1005-1025, Mongla 1002-1015.
Which load line zone is Mongla in?
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Who carries out Port State Control at Mongla?
Port State Control at Mongla: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Mongla?
The UN/LOCODE of Mongla is BDMGL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Mongla 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.