PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Oran
Pilot
updated May 2010- Oran pilot boarding place Pilot boards35°43.7′N 000°37.6′W
Pilotage is compulsory, and available throughout 24 hours. Request for a pilot should be made 3 hours prior to arrival by VHF. Pilots board approx 0.5nm N of the entrance to the port. During N gales special care is necessary.
A vessel in the port or in the roadstead, requiring a pilot should make the following signals:
By day, display "G" and sound 3 long blasts.
At night, exhibit 2 red lights, displayed vertically 2m apart and sound 3 long blasts.
Key data
updated Feb 2021Size limits
LOA 199.99m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.0m, 63,948DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.4m. Levels are raised by W'ly winds and lowered by E'ly winds, the difference between the two levels may be up to 1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entreprise Portuaire Oran (EPO) | 11.00 m | 200 m | 14 |
| Container Terminal | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2020Approach
The eastern approach channel is 150m wide with a depth of 24.0m.
The entrance to the harbour lies between a spur projecting SSE from a position 0.1nm inside the head of Jetee du Large and Traverse du Large which extends NNW from the coast.
At night, during very bad weather, owing to possible congestion in the harbour area a vessel should keep clear until daylight.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Traffic signals are displayed to indicate the port is closed from a tower on the NE end of Mole du Ravin-Blanc. By day, a red flag and by night, a red light.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained in the roads outside the harbour, in depths over 40m. Anchorage is prohibited in an area extending approx 0.5nm NE from the entrance to Avant Port.
Restrictions
During W gales a current sets across the port entrance.
Tugs
There are 2 tugs of 1,500hp and 2,000hp available.
Charts and publications
BA 812, 822, 1909, 2437. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Direction de la Marine Marchande.
Address: 119 rue Didouche Mourad, Algiers, Algeria.
Tel: +213 21 747572.
Fax: +213 21 743395.
Recognised Security Organisations:
RSO - ISSC Issue: Class NK.
RSO - Security Consultant Services: Class NK.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Nov 2025Repairs
Available for minor repairs.
Dry docks
ECRN Shipbuilding servicing for commercial and naval fleet for conversion, repairs and various shipbuilding.
There are 3 slipways, the largest of which has a capacity of 1,000t.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Fuel, diesel and gas oil are available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Clinique Laribere in Oran, 4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Oran International Airport Ahmed Ben Ahmed in Es-Senia, 17km.
Nearest railway: The berths are connected to the national rail network.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1300hrs, 1300-1900hrs and 2100-0300hrs. During Ramadan, 0700-1200hrs, 1200-1700hrs and 2100-0300hrs.
About Oran
updated Jan 2017Where it is
Oran is situated 400km W of Algiers.
The port
Oran is a major commercial harbour with extensive facilities available for handling most types of cargo including general cargo, liquid petroleum products, ore and grain, containers and Ro-Ro/ passengers traffic.
Traffic
Approx 5,500,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Oran
Where does the pilot board at Oran?
The pilot boards at Oran pilot boarding place, 35°43.7′N 000°37.6′W.
What time zone is Oran in?
Local time at Oran is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Oran?
The deepest berth listed is at Entreprise Portuaire Oran (EPO): 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Oran?
1025.
Which load line zone is Oran in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Oran?
The UN/LOCODE of Oran is DZORN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Oran 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.