Pipavav

Size limits

LOA 367m, beam 50m, draught 14.8m, 122959DWT.

Water density

1024. May reduce up to 1020 during monsoon.

Load line zone

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.7m; mean neap range 1.2m.

Tidal streams: The ebb stream, SW going S of Chanch Island, divides N of Bhensala Rock; one branch sets W through East Channel and then SW through West Channel attaining a rate of 2kts at springs and 1kt at neaps. The outer branch sets towards Savai Bet Reef and then W along the coast with a rate of 2-2.5kts at springs and 1.5kts at neaps.

The flood stream sets across the S approach to West Channel and then NE towards Chanch Island with a spring rate of 1.5-2.5kts and a rate of approx 1.5kts at neaps; the other branch sets ENE past Savai Bet Reef and then towards Bhensala Rock at a rate of 3kts at springs and of 2-3kts at neaps.

Strong eddies form in West Channel at HW and LW.

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

Approach

The port is approached from the S and entered through the buoyed West Channel.

If proceeding to anchor N of Shial Bet, vessels are recommended to use the West Channel because of greatly decreased depths in the East Channel.

West Channel: (recommended route) The channel leads W of Shial Bet Island from a position 0.3nm E of the W beacon, the 1.2km channel, depth 14.5m, marked by buoys (lateral) and leading lights, suitable for day and night navigation, leads NNE for 0.2nm then NE to a position off the berths at Pipavav Port. Turning basin depth 13.5m.

For anchorage alter course to bring the circular tower (20°56.5'N 071°31.7'E), standing on the WSW edge of a drying reef that extends WSW from Chanch Island, to bear 034° and steer on this bearing for the anchorages in the stream NW of the island.

It is proposed to lay a fairway buoy and additional channel buoys.

East Channel can only be used by shallow draught vessels with local knowledge and only at HW. If proceeding through this channel, steer to bring Chachuda Temple to bear 261° before Bhensala Rock bears 180°; keep on a course 261° until the mosque on Savai Bet bears 197° and then steer direct for the anchorage. The 261° bearing on the temple must be carefully maintained in order to keep in depths not less than 3.0m.

Anchorages

Vessels arriving should contact port control on VHF Ch 16, 71, who will guide the vessels to anchoring positions.

Outer anchorage: The port offers a good anchorage 1.5nm S of Shiyal Bet in depths of 9.0m, approx 3.8nm offshore with mud and sand bottom.

Prohibited anchorage: N of 20°52.5'N between meridians of 071°29.4'E and 071°30.4'E.

Vessels should anchor south/south east of Savai Bet Light House. Guidance may be obtained from Port Control.

Masters are advised that strong tidal currents are prevalent in the Gulf of Khambhat approaches and great caution must be exercised when dropping anchor.

Restrictions

Berthing/unberthing at LPG Jetty is during daylight hours only.

UKC: An UKC of 1m is possible on a draught of 12.5m CD.

Tugs

Four tugs are available, 1 x 3,676hp, 1 x 3,580hp, 1 x 4,000hp and 1 x ,48000hp.

Charts and publications

IN207, 253, 254, 292. BA1488.

Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4)..

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels are required to inform the port authority of their ETA at the pilot boarding area, 72 hours in advance and confirm 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

Vessels ETA must be updated every 12hrs in the last 24hrs.

Communications

There is no coastal radio station in the port. Messages should be sent via Bahrain or Singapore Radio, or email.

VHF: Port Control: Ch 16, 71. Tel: +91 279 428 6334, Fax: +91 279 430 2668. Throughout 24 hours. Email: [email protected].

Pilot request: [email protected]

Harbour master: [email protected]

Notice 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.

Health

Vessels arriving from foreign ports should send radio pratique message 48 hours prior to arrival, in standard format with Crew List in IMO prescribed format.

In case a vessel has been in contact with yellow fever area in the last 30 days agents should arrange PHO clearance prior to berthing. If no contact with yellow fever pilot may grant free pratique.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: One bottle of liquor and one carton of cigarettes is allowed for each crew member per week.

Immigration: Immigration officials will check passports/CDC (Seaman's Books) and issue shore permits. Nationals from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China (mainland) will not be issued with landing permits.

Notices and regulations

Vessels arriving should contact port control on VHF Ch 16, 71 at least 2 hours before arrival for required information regarding berthing/anchoring and maintain after anchoring. Vessels alongside should contact port control immediately on completion of cargo operations for departure details and instructions.

Vessels should not enter the buoyed channel without a pilot.

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.

Repairs

No repairs or maintenance should to be carried out on the main engines or other essential machinery without prior permission from harbour master. Dry dock for vessels 400,000DWT and below; ship building yard.

Dry docks

There is Pipavav Ship yard in this port that provides ship repair.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by road tankers.

Bunkers: Limited facilities for the supply of bunkers are available with prior arrangement.

Stores: Available with prior notice.

Medical

Available through the CHA at local trust hospital and port medical center.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Airport: Diu, Bhavnagar.

Railway: On quay container depot with connections to national network.

Working hours

Normally 0900-1800hrs. Overtime available on request.

Where it is

Pipavav is located in the state of Gujarat, 152nm northwest of Mumbai on the west coast of India.

The port

Port Pipavav is a modern all weather direct berthing private port providing around the clock operations and navigation for handling of bulk, breakbulk, liquid and containerised cargoes.

Imports: Coal, coke, iron fines, steel coils, liquids and LPG.

Exports: Cement, clinker, soda ash, wheat, rice and DOC.

Traffic

Approx 3,800,000t of cargo and 8100,000TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Pipavav?

Compulsory and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Pipavav in?

Local time at Pipavav is UTC+5:30. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Pipavav?

The deepest berth listed is at APM Terminals Pipavav: 14.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Pipavav?

1024. May reduce up to 1020 during monsoon.

Which load line zone is Pipavav in?

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Pipavav?

Port State Control at Pipavav: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Pipavav?

The UN/LOCODE of Pipavav is INPAV.

What crews who called at Pipavav 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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