PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Plaju & Sungai Gerong
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage, which is available throughout 24 hours, is compulsory within Sungai Palembang (Air Musi) and in the harbours. Vessels should send ETA 24 hours in advance (ETD 6 hours in advance). Messages can be sent through Palembang (PKC).
River pilot boards N of the outer river bar approx 0.5nm N of the approach red and white lightbuoy (02°11.4'S 104°57.0'E approx).
Note: Palembang provides pilotage for Plaju, including the Pusri Fertiliser Jetty and Sungai Gerong.
Key data
updated Aug 2010Size limits
LOA 160m, draught 9.0m,18,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range, min 2.2m and max 3.0m. CD is 1.9m below MLWS.
The flood tide (18 hours) is W'ly at 1.5kts, the ebb (6 hours) is E'ly at 2.0kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pertamina Refinery Unit III Plaju Terminal | — | 160 m | 7 |
| Pertamina Refinery Unit III Sungai Gerong Terminal | — | 160 m | 7 |
| Sinar Alam Permai Terminal (SAP) | — | — | 2 |
| Aspal Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2018Anchorages
Vessels anchor between Kundur and Plaju while awaiting berths at Plaju and Sungai Gerong. As many as six vessels may be at this anchorage where they may have to spend several days while waiting to berth at the wharves or while waiting for a favourable tide before proceeding down river. The anchorage is also for rubber loading and unloading via lighters. In this anchorage the depths are from 6.0-10.0m, mud and sand, providing good holding ground, but if the anchorage is congested, large vessels may lack swinging room. Violent squalls are common occurrences during the late afternoon and vessels are liable to drag their anchors at these times.
Outer anchorage: Vessels awaiting the pilot at the outer bar may obtain anchorage in a depth of 17.0m, approx 4nm NE of a prohibited anchorage area of 0.3nm radius, with its centre situated 6nm NNE of Tanjung Carat (02°17'S 104°55'E). Dangerous wrecks lie 0.5nm NE and 0.4nm E from the centre of the prohibited anchorage.
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.
Restrictions
An under keel clearance of 0.3m is required.
Tugs
There are 10 tugs available, 1 x 1,450hp, 1 x 960hp, 1 x 650hp, 2 x 450hp, 2 x 220hp, 3 x 165hp.
Mooring
Arriving ships are assigned in accordance with time of arrival, product to be loaded/discharged, size of vessel and loaded draught.
Charts and publications
BA 3476, 3471; Indonesian 160. Admiralty Pilot NP36, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be advised to agent 72 hours prior to arrival at Plaju and Sungai Gerong, via Pertamina's Coastal Radio Stations both to Plaju Radio callsign "PKC-2" and Jakarta Radio "PKI-2". They should also confirm or amend them 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
Pertamina own and operate Plaju Radio (callsign "PKC 2").
VHF: Palembang Radio (callsign "PKC 2") calls on Ch 16 and works Ch 09, 19, throughout 24 hours. Port: Call "PKC 27", Ch 16, 12, 14. Pilots: Call "PKC 26", Ch 16, 12, 14.
Health
In order to obtain free pratique a vessel must send a cable stating the name and nationality of the vessel, ports of call during the voyage, number of crew and passengers (if any), port of destination and agent, condition of health of all onboard with details of any sickness and whether everyone vaccinated. Officials will board with the pilot and Interco flags "Q" and "N" must be flown until clearance is granted.
Customs and immigration
It is strictly prohibited to take undeclared foreign currency ashore. It is recommended that Masters consult their agent about local, prevailing Customs regulations with regard to currency, cigarettes, spirits, etc to prevent unnecessary difficulties and eventual fines.
Flags
In accordance with the practice in Indonesian ports, the vessel's national flag, Indonesian courtesy ensign and relevant Interco flags must be displayed by a vessel approaching the port.
Inspections
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.
Port services
updated May 2018Repairs
Minor repairs generally available.
Dry docks
There is a small floating dock and a dry dock available for small coastal vessels.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at rates of 5-10tph.
Bunkering: Available by barge. Delivery rate is approx 100kl/hr.
Stores: Fresh and dry provisions are available.
Medical
General Hospital Pertamina UP III Plaju, 0.5km.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport located at Palembang, 24.4km.
Nearest railway: Palembangm 5.4km.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1400hrs (office hours). The port works throughout 24 hours.
About Plaju & Sungai Gerong
updated May 2018Where it is
Plaju and Sungai Gerong are situated on the E side of the mouth of Ajer Komering.
The port
Facilities available at Plaju and Sungai Gerong are for tankers operated by Pertamina. With special permit from Pertamina, general cargoes can be handled at the Plaju, Sungai Gerong and SAP Terminal .
Questions about Plaju & Sungai Gerong
What are the pilot arrangements at Plaju & Sungai Gerong?
Pilotage, which is available throughout 24 hours, is compulsory within Sungai Palembang (Air Musi) and in the harbours.
What time zone is Plaju & Sungai Gerong in?
Local time at Plaju & Sungai Gerong is UTC+7. No summer time.
What is the water density at Plaju & Sungai Gerong?
1025.
Which load line zone is Plaju & Sungai Gerong in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Plaju & Sungai Gerong?
Port State Control at Plaju & Sungai Gerong: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Plaju & Sungai Gerong?
The UN/LOCODE of Plaju & Sungai Gerong is IDPLA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Plaju & Sungai Gerong 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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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.