PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Okha
Pilot
updated May 2010- Okha pilot boarding Pilot boards22°30.5′N 069°04.7′E
Compulsory for all vessels over 350GT. The pilot boarding place is in position 22°30.6'N 069°04.7'E, 1.25nm NNW of Samiani Island Centre Light tower. Vessels should await the pilot, who boards during daylight hours only, at the pilot boarding place. A vessel should be in this position 1.5 hours before HW, or at LW, during the NE monsoon; and 30 minutes before HW or 1.5 hours before LW during the SW monsoon.
Key data
updated May 2025Size limits
LOA 190m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.0m, 58,710DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.
Tides
Range 3.35m springs, 2.74m neaps. Tidal streams in the channel used by coastal vessels, leading to Okha from W, set ESE with the flood and WNW with the ebb attaining a rate of 3.5kts at neaps.
To the N of Samiani Island and between it and Chandri Reef the streams set SE with the flood and WNW with the ebb; the flood stream attains a rate of 3kts at springs and the ebb stream of 2kts at neaps.
To the W of Samiani Island the flood stream is NE going and the ebb SW going at rates of 1.75kts at neaps; SE of the island the reverse is the case.
Round the S end of Samiani Island the flood stream sets strongly S and E and then S through Okha harbour curving towards E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar with a rate of 1.25kts to 1.5kts at neaps and of 2kts at springs.
The ebb stream, coming from E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar, reaches shoal water NW of Padmatirth Point and here divides into two streams; one setting along the W side of Okha Harbour and W of Samiani Island and the other N and NE between Samiani and Bet Shankhodhar and then WNW to the N of Samiani Island. The ebb stream has a rate of 1.25kts to 2kts at neaps.
Except at slack water there is a strong race N and S of Samiani Island and as tidal streams on each side of this island are fairly slack a vessel may take a sheer when entering or leaving the race; there is also a heavy tide-rip on all the shoals especially on the ebb stream.
Strong eddies form in the harbour at springs with both tidal streams and a confused sea occurs over the shallow ground NW of Padmatirth Point. There is a strong undertow at the anchorage off Okha Point.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Okha Terminal | 8.00 m | 190 m | 5 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2025Approach
The approach channel to Okha leads from NW, passing N of Samiani Shoal and then between Samiani North Light tower and the shoal ground extending NW from Bet Shankhodhar. The channel is well buoyed with a limiting draught of 8.0m.
A dangerous wreck lies in the approach channel, 0.7nm W of No 1 Buoy, and 0.3nm N of the pilot boarding position shown on the chart.
Port limits
Then to join the E coastline of the peninsula and follow it SW to position 22°26.2'N 069°03.2'E.
Anchorages
Vessels up to draught 9.0m and any length may anchor in the outer roadstead in depths of approx 12.0m, sand and broken shell, with Samiani Island Centre Lighthouse bearing 171° distant approx 1.2nm.
Vessels of draught not exceeding 5.0m may anchor SE of Okha Point but strong NE winds can make working cargo here difficult.
Restrictions
Max permissible beam of vessels 28.4m.
Tugs
There are 3 tugs of 382hp, 1,600hp and 3,400hp available.
Charts and publications
BA 39, 707. IN 203, 251, 2013, 2031, 2068. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be advised 24 hours before arrival, amending the time as necessary.
Communications
There is no coastal radio station in the port. Messages should be sent via Bahrain or Singapore Radio.
VHF: Port and Pilots: Ch 16; 01, 10, 14.
Gujarat Maritime Board,
Port Okha, Okha, 361350,
Gujarat, INdia
Phone: +91 2892 262001 / +91 2892 262039
Fax: +91 2892 262002
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
Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel.
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.
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 May 2018Repairs
Minor repairs only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Limited supply available by private barges.
Bunkering: Available with 3 days notice.
Stores: Limited quantities only.
Medical
Mithapur Hospital, 11.7km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Mithapur Airport located at Mithapur, 12.1km.
Nearest railway: The port is connected to the national broad gauge rail network.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs, 1900-2300hrs and 0001-0400hrs.
About Port Okha
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Port Okha is situated in western India, at the NW extremity of the Saurashtra Peninsula, Gulf of Kutch. It is between the North end of Okhamandal peninsula and Bet Shankondhar.
The port
The port provides some alongside berths and an anchorage which is exposed to the NE.
Imports include sulphur, wheat, fertiliser, limestone, coke and coal.
Principal exports are bauxite, clinker, chemicals and soda ash.
Traffic
Approx 4,900,000t cargo handled annually.
Questions about Port Okha
Where does the pilot board at Port Okha?
The pilot boards at Okha pilot boarding, 22°30.5′N 069°04.7′E.
What time zone is Port Okha in?
Local time at Port Okha is UTC+5:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Port Okha?
The deepest berth listed is at Port Okha Terminal: 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Port Okha?
1025.
Which load line zone is Port Okha 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 Port Okha?
Port State Control at Port Okha: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Okha?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Okha is INOKH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Okha 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.