Palembang

1. Sungai Palembang (Air Musi) pilot boarding Pilot boards02°10.3′S 104°58.7′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 187.3m, beam 32.2m, draught 6.8m, 48,369DWT.

Off shore: LOA 201.8m, draught 19.0m, 62,053DWT.

Water density

1007.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean max range at Outer Bar 2.2m and at Sungsang, close to the Inner Bar 1.9m.

Current: Minimum velocity of tide current is 0.6kt in N'ly direction, while the maximum velocity of 2.3kts in 177° direction.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

From E of Tanjung Carat, the track for in-going vessels leads to the W of Pulau Payung initially leads S, passing E of the pilot station at Tanjung Buyut, with a prominent radio mast, then E of a light buoy (starboard hand) (2° 20.32'S 104 °54.66'E) following the alignment of two pairs of leading lights for 9nm to the entrance of the river.

Between Pulau Payung and Palembang the channels in Sungai Palembang lead a further 48nm upriver and are lighted and buoyed, marked by beacons, some of which are lit.

Local knowledge is essential as the channels within the river are subject to frequent change.

Port limits

The port limits are defined by the area of Sungai Palembang contained between Kundur, a point 6nm below the bridge at Palembang, and Kramasan, a point 2.5nm above the bridge.

Anchorages

Vessels anchor between Kundur (02°59'S 104°52'E) and Plaju, in depths of 6.0-10.0m, mud and sand, while awaiting berths at Plaju, Sungai Gerong or Palembang; frequently there may be as many as six vessels at this anchorage where they may have to spend several days while waiting to berth at the wharves or waiting for a favourable tide before proceeding down river.

In this anchorage the holding ground is good but if it becomes congested, large vessels lack swinging room.

Violent squalls are common occurrences during the late afternoon and vessels are liable to drag their anchors at these times.

Smaller vessels proceeding to Palembang or Kertapati may anchor anywhere in the channel except in the prohibited anchorages.

Prohibited anchorages: Submarine pipelines and cables cross Sungai Palembang 1.5nm below and 2.5nm above the mouth of Sungai Ayerkomering (02°59.4'S 104°50.0'E), and also in the vicinity of Ampera Bridge. Their landing places are marked by notice boards and anchorage is prohibited in their vicinity.

Muara Banyu Coal Loading Anchorage (2°10.1'S 104°57.4'E): The depth at the anchorage is approx 20m LWS and loading is by ships cranes and grabs. Pilotage not compulsory. Max loading rate 8,000tpd. The distance the barges steam from Kertapati Coal Port approx 70nm.

Restrictions

Outer Bar: There are traffic regulations for all vessels inbound and outbound using the channel W of Pulau Payung and the light buoy moored off the entrance to Sungai Telang, the E channel is not used.

Road bridge: Ampera Bridge, a road bridge which connects the two commercial parts of the town, has a central lifting section of 71.9m in length. Vertical clearance above normal water level when section closed is 9.0m, passage width 60m. When raised, the section offers a max clearance height of 44.5m above normal water level.

Tugs

There are 6 tugs available, 2 x 900hp, 2 x 1,650hp, 2 x 1,200hp.

Charts and publications

BA 1312, 3471, 3476, 4508. Admiralty Pilot NP36, NP286(4).

Port State Control here: Tokyo 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: Directorate of Marine Safety and Seafarers, Directorate General of Sea Communications.

Position: Director

Address: Karya Building, 12th Floor, JI Merdeka Barat 8, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia.

Tel: +62 21 350 5705.

Fax: +62 21 350 5705.

Mob: +62 811 960640.

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

ISPS compliance: The US Coast Guard has determined (12/2012) that the Republic of Indonesia is now maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in their ports. The Republic of Indonesia is removed from the list of the Countries Affected in paragraph B of the Port Security Advisory. Therefore, actions required in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory are no longer required for vessels that arrive in the United States after visiting ports in the Republic of Indonesia.

In a further effort to combat piracy, the Indonesian Government are allocating Piracy Anchor Safe Zones within some of their ports. These will be patrolled by the Indonesian Marine Police. Individual Port Authorities should be contacted about the latest information concerning these.

Repairs

Minor repairs available. PT Intan Sengkunyit provide ship repairs for vessels up to 4,200DWT.

Dry docks

Patent slips are available, the largest 200m in length, breadth 96.7m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all wharves and by barge if necessary.

Bunkering: Fuel, light diesel and gas oil obtainable at all berths.

Medical

Palembang Harbour Hospital, 0.21km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport located at Sukarami, 16.2km (domestic only).

Nearest railway: Kertapati.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Thu 0800-1600hrs. Fri 0800-1130hrs. Sat 0800-1400hrs. Overtime possible at all times.

Where it is

Palembang is situated in the SE sector of Sumatera some 100km from open sea on the River Musi.

The port

This important river port handles both general and bulk cargoes including oil, fertiliser and coal. Main exports are oil products, rubber, coffee, timber and fertiliser; imports include construction materials and general cargo. There are facilities for handling containerised cargo.

The coal terminal loads by barges to deliver to the offshore coal loading anchorage of Muara Banyu Asin.

Traffic

Approx 11,000,000t of cargo, 86,000TEU and 3,600 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Palembang?

The pilot boards at Sungai Palembang (Air Musi) pilot boarding, 02°10.3′S 104°58.7′E.

What time zone is Palembang in?

Local time at Palembang is UTC+7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Palembang?

The deepest berth listed is at Muara Banyu Asin Anchorage: 19.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Palembang?

1007.

Which load line zone is Palembang in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Palembang?

Port State Control at Palembang: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Palembang?

The UN/LOCODE of Palembang is IDPLM.

What crews who called at Palembang 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.

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