PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Paradip
Pilot
updated Jul 2010- Paradip pilot boarding Pilot boards20°12.8′N 086°44.4′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels of more than 200GT and is available throughout 24 hours. Notice of ETA must be sent to the harbour master/traffic master or agent 24 hours prior to arrival in the roads. The pilot normally boards 2nm SE of harbour entrance, (20°14.6'N 086°42.8'E). A spherical lightbuoy (safe water) lies, 0.2nm SE of the pilot boarding station, in position 20°14.5'N 086°43.0'E. The pilot cutter is white and flies a pilot flag from the mast when a pilot is aboard. A vessel requiring a pilot for departure is required to give a minimum of 2 hours notice to port control on VHF Ch 16 and hoist "G" flag 1 hour in advance. There is no helicopter service available.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
Harbour: LOA 300m, draught 14.5m, beam 46m, 183,123DWT.
Offshore: LOA 370m, draught 23m, BCM 170.61m, 323,182DWT.
Water density
1018-1023.
Load line zone
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to April 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Tides
Mean Spring Range 1.9m; Mean Neap Range 0.7m.
Tidal steams set parallel to the coast. The ingoing stream setting NE and the outgoing stream SW. Max Spring Rate is approx 1.5kn.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradip | 23.00 m | 370 m | 7 |
| Iron Ore Terminal | 15.00 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Central Quay | 14.50 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Coal Handling Plant | 14.50 m | 300 m | 2 |
| East Quay | 14.50 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Multipurpose | 14.50 m | 235 m | 1 |
| Paradip Multipurpose Clean Cargo Terminal | 14.50 m | 300 m | 1 |
| South Quay | 12.50 m | 260 m | 1 |
| North Quay | — | 225 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 Apr 2025Approach
Approach is from the open sea. There is a Fairway Buoy in position 20°14.6'N 086°42.9'E (FL W 10s, RW vertical stripes), approx 2nm from the breakwater.
Two pairs of leading light beacons are situated about 0.85nm WNW and 1.3nm NNW of the head of South Breakwater.
The outer pair are in line bearing 300° and leading through the approach channel between the breakwater heads.
The inner pair at the head of the harbour are in line bearing 332°, leading to the centre of the turning circle. Pairs of red fixed lights near these leading light beacons indicate the dredged channel limits.
Port limits
To the 30m line of sounding in the Bay of Bengal off Paradip Port.
Anchorages
Anchoring is prohibited in the sectored area of 60° from the Fairway Buoy formed by limiting lines of 65° and 125° and extending up to 3nm from the buoy, marking a prohibited anchorage area.
Restrictions
Restricted Areas: There is a restricted area where entry is prohibited surrounding the SPMs (20°04.75'N 86°41.38'E, 20°05.00'N 86°43.56'E and 20°06.30'N 86°45.64'E) and the pipelines laid between the moorings and the shore 12.0nm NW.
Tugs
Total six tugs, 2 x 3,500-4,300ph and 4 x 4,500-5,000hp.
Mooring
Vessels having more than 12.0m draught can only enter during high water. All light vessels should have maximum quantity ballast prior to berthing during the monsoon, as a strong set is experienced near the entrance breakwater. Vessels of more than LOA 200m in length should have at least 7.0m mean draught.
The port has three Indian Oil Corporation SPMs located in restricted areas (20°04.75'N 86°41.38'E, 20°05.00'N 86°43.56'E and 20°06.30'N 86°45.64'E). Vessels up to 320,000DWT, LOA370m, 21m draught can be handled by these.
Charts and publications
Indian 3010, 3041,352. Admiralty Pilot NP21, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2010Notice of readiness
To be tendered as per terms and conditions of Charter Party. Generally, NOR tendered by master on vessel's arrival advising that vessel is ready to load/discharge the nominated cargo.
Documents
All vessels discharging ballast water in the port are required to complete a Ballast Water Reporting Form and send it to the harbour master/chief officer for onward transmission to the Director General of Shipping.
Health
Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Director-General of Shipping.
Position: Nautical Adviser to the Government of India.
Address: Jahaz Bhavan, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001, India.
Tel: +91 22 2261 0606
Fax: +91 22 2269 4352
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dgshipping.com
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
Port services
updated Apr 2025Repairs
Available. The Port has a 500t slipway along with workshop for repair and maintenance of Port crafts and
barges. A Wet Basin for Port crafts is available close to the Slipway.
There is a well-equipped Central Workshop for repair and maintenance of Port equipments.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at berth.
Bunkering: Bunkering facilities are available via road tanker.
Medical
There is a 64 bed hospital at the port, and a Government Hospital at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar which are 100km and 120km respectively from Paradip.
Crew change
Crew change can take place with restrictions on some nationals by immigration authorities. Vessels at anchorage are not permitted to change crew except in the case of medical emergencies.
SBM mooring: As the sea condition near the SPM site is normally rough during SW monsoon seasons, from June to September, it is suggested that Sign on/Sign off must be avoided during this period except for emergency cases. The Sign on/Sign off of supernumeraries/families must be completely avoided during this period.
However, in case of exigencies, the crew change may be allowed at anchorage area after completion of discharge of cargo at SPM. The entire risks & cost towards delays will be to the account of the Owners.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bhubaneswar, 120km.
Airport facilities: Daily flights to Delhi and direct connections to Calcutta, Nagpur Hyderabad, Mumbia, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.
Nearest railway: Cuttack, with connections to Chenna, Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai and Hydrabad. Improvements to the rail system are being made in the area.
Working hours
Normally 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs.
About Paradip
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Paradip is located on the western shore of the Bay of Bengal, approx 6.5nm from the mouth of the Mahanadi River, 210nm S of Kolkata.
The port
The port has an artificial lagoon harbour, protected by two rubble mound breakwaters. Cargoes handled by the port include crude oil, POL products, iron ore, thermal coal, chrome ore, coking coal, manganese ore, charge chrome, ferro chrome, ferro manganese, limestone, hard coke, ingot and moulds, billets, finished steel, scrap, fertiliser, fertilizer raw material, clinker, gypsum, project cargo and containers.
Traffic
Approx 156,450,000t of cargos ,12,700TEU and 2,700 vessels are handled annually.
Questions about Paradip
Where does the pilot board at Paradip?
The pilot boards at Paradip pilot boarding, 20°12.8′N 086°44.4′E.
What time zone is Paradip in?
Local time at Paradip is UTC+5:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Paradip?
The deepest berth listed is at Paradip: 23.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Paradip?
1018-1023.
Which load line zone is Paradip in?
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to April 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Who carries out Port State Control at Paradip?
Port State Control at Paradip: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Paradip?
The UN/LOCODE of Paradip is INPPT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Paradip 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.