PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Nacala
Pilot
updated May 2010- Porto de Nacala pilot boarding place Pilot boards14°25.7′S 040°40.2′E
Pilotage is compulsory for berthing and unberthing, available 24 hours a day. Request for Nacala pilots should be made via VHF Ch 16 and then change over to Ch 12 or 27.
Advance notice should be sent at least 24 hours prior to arrival and then 4 hours prior to entering Fernao Veloso Bay.
The normal boarding area is 2nm from the entrance, except during strong winds from NE to SE, then the pilot will embark inside the bay, which will require a permit from the Port Authority.
The usual requirements for ladders are in force, the pilot requires the ladder to be approx 0.9-1.2m above the waterline.
Key data
updated May 2021Size limits
LOA 299.95m, beam 50m, draught 14m, 208,962DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 4.0m (springs), 2.7m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container Terminal | 14.00 m | 240 m | 2 |
| Nacala Oil Terminal | 10.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| North Quay | 9.70 m | 239 m | 3 |
| Nacala a Velha | — | 300 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 May 2021Approach
The entrance to Porto de Nacala presents no difficulty.
When approx 1.5nm NE of Nacala Light and Sacamulo Light is just open W of Ponta Zuani Light bearing 177°, steer S on this alignment for approx 0.5nm.
When Imade Chali Leading Lights, situated 1.5nm SSE of Ponta Naarenque, come in line bearing 155.5° alter course to this alignment:
Front light, Q R, 40m in height; Rear light, Iso R, 45.8m in height.
These light structures are difficult to distinguish by day.
When Sacamulo Light is abeam to starboard, alter course to keep Ponta Namuaxi Light ahead bearing approx 197° until Ponta Zuani Light is abeam to port. Course should then be altered to 180° with the W extremity of Ponta Maiaia ahead.
When Ponta Namuaxi Light comes abeam to starboard, alter course as necessary for the selected anchorage in Baia de Bengo.
Caution: Care is necessary when approaching or leaving the North and South Quays as there is a shoal area close off the point.
Port limits
The line joining Ilha Goman to Cabo Columulomo Lighthouse at the entrance of Bay Fernao Veloso.
The territorial limit of the port is 12nm from the shore line.
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Good anchorage may be obtained anywhere within Baia de Nacala and the inner bay of Bengo. The outer anchorage is well sheltered for lightering operations of large tankers and bulk carriers. Anchoring position should be away from the middle fairway to the harbour. The max size for vessels in the outer anchorage area is approx 130,000DWT, draught 18m.
Baia de Bengo is very sheltered with excellent holding ground. The recommended anchorage is 0.3nm SSW of Ponta Maiaia, in depths from 10.0-12.0m, 1.1nm SW of Ponta Maiaia. Small vessels may obtain anchorage in depths from 5.5-7.5m, approx 0.2nm SE of the town of Nacala a Velha, 14°33'S 040°38'E.
Tugs
Two tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 2926, 3877, 3878. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA should be sent to the agent, 5 days prior to arrival stating deepest arrival draught, last port of call, Master's name and cargo plan. Further ETA's should be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival and include any change in draught.
Communications
Cape Town Radio or Inmarsat are recommended for passing messages at long range.
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12, 27, available throughout 24 hours.
Tel: +258 26 526279, Fax: +258 26 526281.
Notice of readiness
NOR is tendered as per Charter Party.
Documents
The pilot supplies an Arrival Report which is to be completed whilst proceeding to the berth. A Crew List is to be attached to the report.
Health
Pratique is granted once alongside as part of the port clearance formalities.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs: An allowance of tobacco and spirits is allowed for each crew member. The bonded store is sealed for the duration of the vessel's stay in port.
Immigration: Passengers require a visa (emergency visas can be issued on arrival). Crew can obtain a shore pass against surrender of a passport or Seaman's Book at the Immigration Office. Documents are returned when the shore pass is surrendered on return to the vessel within shore leave hours. There are heavy penalties for non compliance. The agency boarding clerk will advise current shore leave hours in force at time of arrival.
Flags
It is obligatory to display the Mozambican flag.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: National Institute for Maritime Affairs.
Address: Av Marques de Pombal, 279, Maputo, Mozambique.
Tel: +258 1 320552.
Fax: +258 1 324007.
Mob: +258 82 303988.
Email: [email protected].
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2021Repairs
There are no repair facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available in limited quantities.
Bunkering: Marine diesel available.
Some delay is to be expected in bunkering operations due to lack of road tankers. A new 6in line has been placed alongside the North Quay for bunkering.
Medical
Nacala Hospital, 5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Nampula, 193km. There is a military air base used by civil aircraft upon request.
Airport facilities: There are 5 weekly domestic flights to Maputo.
Nearest railway: Nacala. The port of Nacala is linked with Entre-Lagos at the Malawi border, 615km. The actual capacity per train is 800GT.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1500hrs, 1500-2300hrs and 2300-0700hrs. Overtime is charged from 1100-0700hrs on Sat, Sun and public holidays and must be ordered 48 hours prior to arrival.
About Nacala
updated May 2021Where it is
The port of Nacala is situated in northern Mozambique at the S end of the Baia de Bengo.
The port
Nacala has a natural deep water harbour, sheltered from the ocean, the entrance width is 800m and the depth is 60m. Nacala handles a great deal of the foreign trade of Malawi including containers, grain, fertilisers, steel product, general cargo, gas oil, gasoline, aviation fuel, fuel product and vegetable oils. Main commodity handle at port is coal export which operated by Vale and contributed to the most cargo volume handled at port since the company decided to switch all its coal export activity to Nacala a Velha facility in year 2016. The lightering of large bulk carriers and tankers is possible in the outer anchorage. The port facilities are being upgraded to enable a greater volume of traffic to be handled.
Traffic
Approx 11,400,000t of cargo (including 8,600,000t of coal and 224,000t of grain), 86,000TEU and 500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Nacala
Where does the pilot board at Nacala?
The pilot boards at Porto de Nacala pilot boarding place, 14°25.7′S 040°40.2′E.
What time zone is Nacala in?
Local time at Nacala is UTC+2. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Nacala?
The deepest berth listed is at Container Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Nacala?
1025.
Which load line zone is Nacala in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Nacala?
Port State Control at Nacala: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Nacala?
The UN/LOCODE of Nacala is MZMNC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Nacala 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.