PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Olbia
Pilot
updated May 2010- Olbia pilot boarding Pilot boards40°55.2′N 009°35.3′E
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT. Vessels should request a pilot at least 2 hours in advance. Pilotage is available throughout 24 hours. Pilot boards about 1nm from Isola Bocca Light.
Key data
updated May 2020Size limits
LOA 210m, beam 30m, draught 9.0m, 14,413DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.60m at springs. Strong offshore winds will reduce predicted tidal heights, conversely strong onshore winds increase predicted heights. The tidal stream can attain rates of 3-5kts in the vicinity of Isola Bocca but is negligible at the head of the harbour.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isola Bianca | 9.00 m | 210 m | 11 |
| Inner Port | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2020Approach
From a position 0.25nm SE of Capo Figari (40°59.7'N 009°39.9'E) the track leads WSW, through the TSS, passing, with positions relative to the headland:
NW of Punta Timone (5nm SE), the N extremity of Isola Tavolara, from which a light is exhibited. Then:
SSE of Capo Figaro Signal Station (0.55nm WNW), then:
SSE of Isolatto de Figarolo (1.25nm SW). Then:
NNW of Capo Ceraso (4.5nm SSW), surmounted by a tower. Shoals extend 0.4nm from the E side of the headland and are marked at the NE extremity by a buoy (E cardinal). Isolotto Barca Sconcia and an unnamed islet, marked by a beacon (white truncated pyramid, 4.0m in height), stand on the shoal bank. Then:
N of a lightbuoy (N cardinal) (4.25nm SSW), marking a shoal bank, on which stand numerous rocks and islets. Then:
To a position at the inner end of the inbound traffic lane. The track then leads SW passing:
SE of Punta delle Casette (3.75nm WSW), then:
NW of Punta Ruia (0.5nm SSW), high, prominent surmounted by a beacon (white, pyramidal), then:
SE of Secca dei Porri (4.5nm SW), a shoal with a depth of 3.5m over it. Then:
To a position N of Punta Saline (6.75nm SW).
The track now leads W between the light beacons marking the entrance channel.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Traffic Separation Scheme: A TSS leads WSW through Rada de Olbia into Golfo di Olbia. A traffic separation zone separates it from the TSS leading to and from Golfo degli Aranci.
The TSS is not IMO adopted. The Italian authorities advise that the principles for the use of the routeing system defined in Rule 10 of The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea apply.
Vessel Traffic Service Scheme: A mandatory VTSS is in operation, for the control of shipping, for all HSC and any vessel of 50GT or greater entering and leaving the port. The following reporting points have been established:
The line joining Capo Figari (40°59.7'N 009°39.9'E) and Punta Timone (40°55.6'N 009°44.2'E).
Longitude 009°39.7'E.
Longitude 009°37.5'E.
Outer end of the marked approach channel (40°55.3'N 009°34.3'E).
Reports are to be made to Olbia Harbour Master using VHF and to include vessel speed.
Anchorages
An anchorage has depths to 22.0m in good holding ground.
Possible anchorage at Golfo Aranci. Launch service is available upon request.
Outer anchorages: Anchorage can be obtained at berths A, B and C. The anchorages are restricted to vessels of less than LOA 100m. Vessels intending to anchor or weigh anchor within Golfo de Olbia are to advise Olbia Harbour Master on VHF Ch 16 and Pilot Station using Ch 14.
Tugs
A tug is available and vessels of 1,600t or greater are required to use a tug when berthing and unberthing.
Charts and publications
BA 1210, 1211, 1992. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
Permission for loading vehicles containing dangerous liquids and gas should be requested at least 24 hours in advance from the Harbour Master.
Communications
Roma Radio throughout 24 hours on frequency 521.5-4292kHz. Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Port: Ch 16; 11. Tel: +39 0789 21243. Fax: +39 0789 27737. Email: [email protected].
Port Authority: Tel: +39 0789 204179.
Pilots: Ch 16, 12. Tel/Fax: +39 0789 22274. Email: [email protected].
Tugs/Mooring: Ch 14.
Documents
Arrival Report and Departure Form to be completed as per Italian regulations.
Health
If a vessel is coming from a non EU country, pratique can be applied for through "Sanimare Porto Torres" Tel: +39 079 514155; Telex 790175. Radio pratique can be obtained.
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed through "Sanimare Porto Torres".
Customs and immigration
The customs allowance is 50 cigarettes for each officer and crew.
Notices and regulations
To load vehicles containing dangerous liquids and gas a request should be made to the harbour master at least 24 hours before loading.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris 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: Italian Coast Guard Headquarters, Legal Department.
Address: Viale dell'Arte 16, I-00146 Rome, Italy.
Tel: +39 06 590 841 87.
Fax: +39 06 596 482 93.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Medical
In town. Hospital available, 3km from ferry terminal.
Transport
Nearest airport: Costa Esmiralda (Olbia), 3km.
Nearest railway: In town.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1330-1730hrs (weekdays); overtime available on request.
About Olbia
updated May 2020Where it is
Olbia is situated in NE Sardinia.
The port
The port handles general cargo, container, Ro-Ro, cruise and passengers.
Traffic
Approx 6,000,000t of cargo and 5,000,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Olbia
Where does the pilot board at Olbia?
The pilot boards at Olbia pilot boarding, 40°55.2′N 009°35.3′E.
What time zone is Olbia in?
Local time at Olbia is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Olbia?
The deepest berth listed is at Isola Bianca: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Olbia?
1025.
Which load line zone is Olbia in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Olbia?
Port State Control at Olbia: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Olbia?
The UN/LOCODE of Olbia is ITOLB.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Olbia 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.