Port Elizabeth

1. Port Elizabeth pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°55.6′S 025°40.9′E

Size limits

LOA 330m, draught 12.8m, beam 48.4m, 181,338DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Tidal range 1.7m (springs); 0.5m (neaps).

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

Approach

Fairway Buoy (RWVS topmark, red and white Iso 15s).

Leading lights, in line bearing 238°, lead from seaward to a position 0.6nm NNW of the head of South Breakwater. These lights should be brought into line well before entering the approach channel. A lightbuoy (safe water) moored 2nm NE of the harbour entrance, marks the approach to the leading line.

The entrance channel has a depth of 14.5m CD and a width of 310m. Vessels intending to anchor in the bay must keep clear of the approach channel.

Port limits

The area within which Portnet has jurisdiction at this harbour is bounded on the southward by a line drawn from Cape Recife, 090° to a point in the Indian Ocean, distance of 0.9nm, on the N by a line drawn from the extreme point of the E bank of the Zwartkops River, 090° distance of 0.9m, on the E by a line drawn between these two points and shall embrace the foreshore between HW and LW marks from Cape Recife Lighthouse to the aforesaid line at the E bank of the Zwartkops River, including that portion of the said river which lies on the seaward side of the bridge carrying the railway line to Alicedale, together with the jetties, harbour works and all harbour lands vested in the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The VTS will provide the vessel with up to date information on berthing arrangements, pilots and relevant traffic movements in the area.

Anchorages

Sheltered anchorage is available in Algoa Bay, anchor 1nm to N or S of Fairway Buoy, but clear of channel. Any vessel that needs to anchor in Algoa Bay must obtain permission from its agent, port control and marine division of department of transport.

Foul area: A 12t anchor and 13 shackles of chain were lost in position 33°54.2'S 025°42.1'E, mariners are advised to avoid this area.

Restrictions

Tankers are berthed during daylight only.

Ore Carriers: Maximum sailing draught is stated at 11.5m, but with the port captain's permission, vessels can load to 12.1m on a rising tide.

Max permissible length normally 251.5m. Vessels of up to 259m may be permitted, but are only allowed to dock port side to quay.

Max permissible beam, 36.6m due to outreach of loading arms, outreach 17.8m beyond fenders.

Airdraught from top of hatch coaming to waterline not to exceed 13.7m at any time.

Tugs

Three twin Z-peller tugs and one Voith Schneider tug are stationed at the port for assisting with docking and undocking operations. Each tug has a bollard pull of 50t and is maintained to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) standards. The tugs are equipped with radar, echo sounders, direction finders, telephone radio transmitters, salvage and fire fighting equipment. The port also operates a pilot boat, work boat and launch. All boats can be used for general purposes such as supplying stores to vessels not entering the port and transferring sick or injured people from vessels off limits.

Mooring

Vessels up to LOA 225m are berthed starboard side alongside, over 225m are berthed port side alongside.

Charts and publications

BA 641, 2085. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be sent to agents approx every 24 hours after departure last port, advising arrival draught.

ETA should be sent to the port authorities 72 and 12 hours in advance, 96 hours for vessels with dangerous goods onboard.

Port Control should be contacted by VHF when 50nm off the port and confirmation given when within VHF range and when 16nm E of the breakwater (vessels approaching from the E) or 3.5nm S of Cape Recife (vessels approaching from the W).

Communications

Port Elizabeth Radio can be contacted throughout 24 hours.

Port Elizabeth Port Control:

VHF: Ch 16, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Tel: +27 41 507 1909, +27 41 5071910, +27 41 5071911(Emergency) Mon-Fri: 0600-1800hrs. Sat: 0600-1300hrs.

Pilots: Tel: +27 41 507 1980.

Port Elizabeth Port Control (VTS): Ch 12.

Standard messages

Agents will advise vessel of berthing prospects, etc.

Notice of readiness

NOR tendered on arrival of vessel.

Documents

Pilot provides Arrival Form which is to be completed.

Cargo documents: Completed by agents/clearing agents.

Health

Radio pratique should be requested from "Port Health", 24 hours prior to arrival.

Customs and immigration

Immigration has standard forms and require: Crew List, Crew Effects Declaration and Stores List.

Customs allow all crew 200 cigarettes, officers 1 bottle of spirits and 6 beers. Crew are not allowed liquor out of bond. Immigration does not require shore passes for ship's personnel. Vessels will be boarded by authorities once alongside.

Flags

National flag has to be flown in port and international code "H", "B", "G", "Q" as appropriate.

Notices and regulations

South African Harbour Regulations apply.

Loaded tankers are docked during daylight hours only.

Vessels are required to be sufficiently ballasted to permit safe navigation within the port.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

Inspection of ships in South Africa

The Director, Shipping Competence, Department of Transport

Private Bag X193, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

Tel: +27 12 290 2904.

Fax: +27 12 290 2914.

ISPS

ISPS Compliance: SA Port Authority (TRANSNET)reports that South Africa's 7 commercial ports are fully compliant with the ISPS Code.

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

Head Office

Tel : (011) 351-9192

Fax: (011) 351-9196

Cell: 083 284 8210

ludwigb@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Richardsbay

Tel.: (035) 905-3146

Fax: (035) 905-3133

Cell: 083 417 2162

yogank@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Durban

Tel.: (031) 361-3771

Fax: (031) 361-3759

Cell: 083 286 2094

HennieST@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

East London

Tel.: (043) 700-2421

Fax: (043) 700-2070

Cell: 083 417 3920

grahamk@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Port Elizabeth

Tel.: (041) 507-1773

Fax: (086) 500-7478

Cell: 083 301 2659

[email protected]

Mossel Bay

Tel.: (044) 604-6273

Fax: (044) 604-6232

Cell: 072 708 4378

deringj@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Cape Town

Tel.: (021) 449-4270

Fax: (021) 449-2274

Cell: 083 376 8826

thembanig@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Saldanha

Tel.: (022) 701-4344/5

Fax: (022) 714-3017

Cell: 083 285 3505

Sonwabog@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Repairs

Repair facilities available for marine navigational equipment, engine repairs, electrical repairs, reefer repairs. Divers available for underwater inspections.

Dry docks

One slipway length 247m, width 84m with a capacity of 1,200t is available. Situated 0.1nm S of No 3 Quay.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh water available by pipeline at all berths.

Bunkering: HFO (maximum 150 Cst) is available at Berths 13, 14 and at the Tanker Berth. ADO (automotive diesel oil) is available at Dom Pedro Quay, Berths 13, 14 and at any commercial berth by means of bulk road tanker, but not at the Tanker Berth. No blending fuels are available. The HFO has a pumping rate of 200tph and ADO 50,000 litre/ph.

Stores: Available from ship chandlers.

Offshore Bunkers: Offshore Bunkering available at Algoa Bay provided by Minerva Bunkering (Previously known as Aegean Marine Petroleum)

Medical

There are 4 Provincial hospitals.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Elizabeth Airport, Port Elizabeth (4km).

Airport facilities: Regular services to Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Nearest railway: The port is connected to the national rail network.

Working hours

General cargo berths and Bulk Ore Quay: Mon-Fri 0600-1400hrs and 1400-2200hrs. Sat and Sun 0600-1800hrs.

Container Terminal: Throughout 24 hours.

Dry Bulk Terminal: Mon-Fri 0600-2200hrs.

Pilotage, tug and berthing services are available 0600-2200hrs during week days. Limited service during weekends.

Where it is

Port Elizabeth is situated in Algoa Bay on the SE coast of South Africa.

The port

The port is the 5th largest in Southern Africa, based on tonnage handled, and is approached via an entrance channel 1.6nm in length. The harbour is protected by a breakwater 1,200m in length and covers a water area of 115ha.

The principal imports are machinery, chemicals and general cargo.

The main exports comprises agricultural products, timber, wool, textiles, ore, skins and hides in containers as well as palletised citrus fruits. Motor industry related products and steel are also exported.

A development programme is underway to regenerate portside facilities and improve cargo handling to help compensate for the loss of Port Elizabeth's manganese processing facilities to the new mega manganese terminal at Ngqura.

Traffic

Approx 11,000,000t of cargo, 150,000TEU and 1,000vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Elizabeth?

The pilot boards at Port Elizabeth pilot boarding place, 33°55.6′S 025°40.9′E.

What time zone is Port Elizabeth in?

Local time at Port Elizabeth is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port Elizabeth?

The deepest berth listed is at Dry Bulk Terminal: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Elizabeth?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port Elizabeth in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Elizabeth?

Port State Control at Port Elizabeth: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Elizabeth?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Elizabeth is ZAPLZ.

What crews who called at Port Elizabeth 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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