PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Owendo
Pilot
updated May 2010- Port Owendo pilot boarding place Pilot boards00°17.0′N 009°27.0′E
Pilotage, available throughout 24 hours, is compulsory for vessels over 500GT. Pilotage should be ordered 24 hours in advance, with confirmation 12 hours in advance, through the agent. Pilot boards from a tug 2-3nm W of Pointe Owendo or 1nm S of the Mangan (manganese ore) berth.
Key data
updated Sep 2020Size limits
LOA 300m, draught 11.0m, beam 37.4m, 64,942DWT.
Water density
1020-1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 2.4m (springs), 1.9m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese Ore Terminal | 11.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| New Owendo International Port (NOIP) | 10.00 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Owendo Commercial Terminal | 9.50 m | 268 m | 3 |
| Owendo Oil Terminal | 9.50 m | 130 m | 1 |
| GSEZ Mineral Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| STS Anchorage | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
The entrance channel in a depth of 11.0m, through Estuaire du Gabon approaches.
Anchorages
Anchoring is prohibited within the area between the meridians of 009°28'E and 009°23'E, and N of the parallel 00°16.3'N. Vessels should anchor from 0.5nm to 2nm SE of Pointe Owendo in 7.0-8.5m sand and mud, good holding and sheltered from the swell.
Vessels loading logs should anchor within the designated anchorage, 1nm SSE of Point Owendo Light, in a depth of 8.0-10.0m. The river current runs strongly in this position. An outer anchorage lies about 3.0nm W of Pointe Owendo and has a depth of 11.0m (mud).
Vessels waiting to load magnesium, anchor outside this area.
Restrictions
Vessels must announce their arrival by early morning for berthing in the afternoon, or by 1800 hours local time for berthing at night or the next morning.
Tugs
Compulsory, tugs of up to 1,200hp are used.
Mooring
Vessels are berthed and unberthed at slack water, by day or at night.
New berths have fendering systems.
Charts and publications
BA 3325, 3328. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be sent to port authorities and agent at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Documentation required: Manifest, Cargo Plan, List of Dangerous Cargoes.
Communications
VHF: Ch 12, 16.
Tel: +241 704306, Fax: +241 704305.
National Port Authority, Tel: +241 700048, +241 701759, Fax: +241 703735.
Email: [email protected].
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere de la Marine Marchande.
Position: Joint Secretary General
Address: BP 6795, Libreville, Gabon
Tel: +241 74 78 40 or +241 89 61 91
Fax: +241 74 78 40
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available in small quantities. Nearest bunkers are at Port Gentil, approx 200km S.
Transport
Nearest airport: Libreville, 30km.
Nearest railway: Owendo.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs.
About Owendo
updated Apr 2018Where it is
Owendo is located 15km S of Libreville.
The port
The port is the largest Gabonese commercial port, handles general cargo, container, grain, manganese ore, dry bulk, liquid cargo and LPG.
Questions about Owendo
Where does the pilot board at Owendo?
The pilot boards at Port Owendo pilot boarding place, 00°17.0′N 009°27.0′E.
What time zone is Owendo in?
Local time at Owendo is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Owendo?
The deepest berth listed is at Manganese Ore Terminal: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Owendo?
1020-1025.
Which load line zone is Owendo in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Owendo?
The UN/LOCODE of Owendo is GAOWE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Owendo 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.