Port Kamsar

Size limits

Harbour: Draught 10.0m, LOA 229m, 82,300DWT, beam 32.26m.

Offshore: Draught 19.0m, LOA 300m, 211,000DWT.

Water density

The density of the Rio Nunez at the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth varies between 1007 during the rainy season to 1022 during the dry season at HW.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

The tide, in the proximity of the buoyed channels, runs NNE and SSW at 2.5kts under normal conditions, but can reach 4.5kts during spring tides in the rainy season.

The flood tide runs parallel with the line of the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth at a speed up to 4.0kts. The ebb tide, augmented by water coming out of Dougoufissa Creek, runs through the bauxite wharf at an angle of approx 20° at a speed of up to 7.0kts on spring tides in the rainy season, tending to set the vessel off the wharf. It is, therefore absolutely essential to tend the mooring lines to an even tension and watch them continuously, particularly on the stern of a loaded vessel.

Sea and swell: In the Rio Nunez approach area, waves up to 4.0m can be encountered. At the entrance to the fairway or channel, they are generally less than 1.0m high during the rainy season and less than 0.5m high in the dry season. Waves and swell in the inner channel and harbour are generally very moderate.

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

Approach

Rio Nunez transit: The channel, from the mouth of Rio Nunez to the Bauxite Loading Wharf (BLW) at Port Kamsar, is 17km in length and has a minimum width of 120m.

The channel is marked by 23 lightbuoys. The channel is subdivided into an outer and inner channel, the bottom of which consists of mud and sand.

The whole channel starting from Buoys No 1 and 2, up to BLW, has a depth of 9.0m below reference data level (RDL), which is defined at +0.15m above the LW register.

The turning basin for inbound vessels is dredged to a minimum of 7.0m below RDL and extends westwards 360m from the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth. The bottom is mainly mud.

Port limits

The port limits are defined as follows:

From position 10°24.0'N 014°41.0'W, follow a line due W to a position 10°24.0'N 014°48.0'W.

Then a line due N to a point 10°38.0'N 141°48.0'W. From this position, follow a line due E to Point Kembuto.

From that point, follow the Rio Nunez shore line in a NE direction, past Point Malaouine to a position 10°44.0'N 014°37.2'W.

From there, a line due E to the eastern shore of the Rio Nunez, 10°44.0'N 014°34.5'W.

From this position, in a S'ly direction following the Rio Nunez shoreline, pass Pointe du Zebre, to Port Kamsar, to Point de l'Amarante, then follow the shoreline, cross the Dougoubona to Koufen Island, follow its shoreline to Point Dapiar, then the shoreline to Point Bencer, then the shoreline to the extreme southern end of Gonzales Island, then a straight line to position 10°24.0'N 014°41.0'W.

Port Inner Area: This area starts at the northern limit of the general cargo storage land filled area. It includes the discharging area, the Quai Francais, the workshops, sheds in Quai Italien, the Nautical Club, the jetty and the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth. This port area is limited by the harbour road and a fence. Excluded from this area is the CBG Engineering Offices, Personnel and workshop.

On the E of the harbour road, the port area includes the fenced land of the shore radio antennae, the offices of the Port Administration, the Customs Offices and transit sheds.

Anchorages

If the berth is occupied, the vessel will normally be anchored in the anchorage waiting area to await berth availability. The anchorage area is in approx position 050° x 0.5nm from the S end of the Bauxite Loading Wharf. The bottom is mainly mud with good holding.

Restrictions

The maximum loading draught will be between 11.9m for neap tides and 13.8m for spring tides.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Vessels berth at the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth with bows S, arriving at HW slack and leaving on the flood tide not later than 1 hour before HW.

Mooring: Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth

Charts and publications

BA 1562, 1560, 611, 612. Admiralty Pilot NP1. NP286(8).

ISPS

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

Repairs

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available in limited quantities on an emergency basis.

Provisions: These are scarce and therefore are not available to calling vessels.

Medical

Kamsar (emergency basis only). Emergency medical evacuation to Conakry is possible by means of a private aircraft from the bauxite plant.

Transport

Nearest airport: Conakry Airport is approx 280km from Port Kamsar (approx 3 hours by road). There are daily services to/from Europe.

Nearest railway: There is a rail link into Port Kamsar.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Port Kamsar, formerly known as Kakande, is located on the E bank of the Rio Nunez River, approx 17km from the sea.

The port

Port Kamsar handles bauxite, general cargo and liquid cargo.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Kamsar?

Pilotage service is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 45m.

What time zone is Port Kamsar in?

Local time at Port Kamsar is UTC+0. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Port Kamsar?

The deepest berth listed is at Bauxite STS Transhipment Area: 19.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Kamsar?

The density of the Rio Nunez at the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee Berth varies between 1007 during the rainy season to 1022 during the dry season at HW.

Which load line zone is Port Kamsar in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Kamsar?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Kamsar is GNKMR.

What crews who called at Port Kamsar 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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