Port Sudan

Size limits

LOA 294.51m, beam 40.3m, draught 14m, 83,456DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

The tidal range at Port Sudan is minimal at about 0.1m. There are seasonal variations of about 0.9m in water levels due to changes in barometric pressure. The set of currents in the Red Sea is extremely variable and is affected by several factors. Currents increase rapidly in the vicinity of off-lying reefs that surround Port Sudan and these reefs should be given a wide berth.

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

Approach

The harbour has a good entrance width of 258m with no hazards, protected from all directions. Depth at entrance decreases rapidly from 73.2m to 25.6m.

The main port is approached from seaward passing SSE of Sanganeb Reef light (19°44'N 037°27'E) then SSE of Silayet. A track should be taken W from the vicinity of the pilot boarding station and entered on the alignment of two leading lights, 305°. The entrance channel has depths of over 30m. The least charted depth on the leading line in the approaches to the berths is 22.0m. Care should be taken not to confuse the entrance leading lights with the leading lights used for anchoring within the harbour.

To enter Green Port, stay on a track leading NW from the pilot boarding position, the entry channel through the off-lying reef has a width of 180m. Light beacons and light buoys mark the channel and dredged areas within.

For the Al Khair Oil Terminal, the following markers should be noted: Buoy (green) in position 19°35.065'N 037°14.905'E and Port entrance lighthouse (red) in position 19°34.971'N 037°14.942'E. There is an unlit beacon at the end of the basin in position, 19°35.117'N 037°.14.878'E and lit markers on the starboard north east end of the basin, Fl(Q)W5s, and on the port north west end of the basin, Fl(Q)W10s.

Port limits

The harbour is bounded by lines drawn from Nimra Talata Light (19°39'N 037°19'E) NW to the coast and SSE from the light to Towartit Reefs, as shown on the charts. The limits include the NW corner of Towartit Reefs and extend across the Inner Channel to a position on the coast, about 2 miles S of Towartit Elbow (19°29'N 037°18'E), S of Port Sudan. The harbour includes Marsa Gwiyai.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained on soft coral and mud about 0.5nm within the harbour entrance. Leading lights: Front light, occasional, (19°36'N 37°13'E), rear light, occasional, 198m from front. When the port is full, vessels may be directed to the anchorage in Towartit Reefs (19°30'N 37°20'E ) during daylight hours only. This area contains a number of detached reefs and below-water rocks, mostly marked by light beacons. There is an another anchorage N of Silayet. Alternatively, vessels may drift about 17miles off. Lights exhibited from the port offices are also used as anchoring lights.

Prohibited anchorage: An area in which anchorage is prohibited lies between the SW side of Silayet and Marsa Gwiyai.

Restrictions

The Vessels leaving the port have right of way over those entering. In any part of the harbour or entrance, tugs, with or without tows, shall at all times keep clear of vessels with a deep draught.

The berthing of vessels, and the discharge, loading and storage of explosives, is regulated by the Port Manager.

Cargo is not worked from ships at anchor in the harbour during July and August due to weather conditions.

From June to September vessels not securely berthed alongside should always keep their main engines at short notice of readiness.

Vessels carrying petroleum, on approaching Port Sudan and during their period of stay in the port, should display a red flag by day, and, at night, a red light at the masthead. Further special regulations are in force and a copy of these should be obtained.

During a vessel's stay the main engines should not be immobilised without the permission of the Port Manager.

Vessels over 15 years old are required to produce a Seaworthiness Certificate which must include a statement that cargo handling equipment is capable of handling all the cargo onboard.

Traffic signals: Signals to indicate the port is busy and movements are taking place with in harbour are shown from the traffic signal station.

A submarine power cable, marked at each end by notice boards on the shore, is laid across the entrance of the harbour from close E of the end of No 15 berth to a position close NW of the light exhibited from the S end of the South Port quay. An area of disused cables lies in the entrance of the harbour, S of this power cable.

Al Khair Oil Terminal: Vessels using this facility should be no more than 20 years old. SBT tankers only, no dirty ballast may be discharged. There is no terminal facility for slops and/or dirty ballast.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Port Sudan: Steel mooring posts are situated on the NW shore of the harbour, to which the sterns of vessels can be secured after anchoring. There are also mooring buoys in the harbour. A dangerous wreck (isolated danger) lies close SE off the dolphins. A mooring buoy is laid in the N end of the harbour.

Al Khair Oil Terminal: Vessels moor at the dolphin berth day time only but can depart at any time.

Charts and publications

BA 3492, 82. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 14, 19. Call Port Sudan Port Control. Tel and Fax : +249 311 820544, email [email protected]

Pilots: Ch 14, available 24 hours.

Port Authority: Tel: +249 311 822061, Fax: +249 311 822258, Telex: +948 70012 RASMINA SD, available 24 hours.

Al Khair Oil Terminal: Call Port Control on Ch 14. Pilot: Ch 06.

Terminal Operation: Ch 67 and 68. Tel: +249 311 824892 and

+249 912361085 (Mobile). Fax: +249 311 824892, Email: [email protected]

Note: Vessels approaching the harbour are requested to maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 14 to receive instructions and to request pilot services from the Port Control (before reaching 2nm from the harbour). The watch should be maintained whilst at anchor outside the port and until the pilot has boarded.

All vessel movements within the harbour are strictly controlled and Masters of vessels departing or shifting berth should obtain permission from Port Control (on VHF Ch 14) before leaving their berth.

Vessels should maintain watch on Ch 14 from 2 hours before ETD until clear of the harbour.

Documents

Port Authority and Customs require the following documents to be presented to agents latest 7 days prior to vessel's arrival.

Customs and immigration

Customs gates are open on request from the cargo receivers from 0600-2100hrs daily. Customs clearing takes place day time only. Trucks, loaded during the third shift normally stay overnight inside the port premises. For special oil and project cargo and depending on the cargo receiver, the custom gates can be opened 24 hours.

Notices and regulations

Vessels approaching Port Sudan at night, and not wishing to enter the harbour until daybreak, should not close to within 20nm of the harbour until it is time to proceed at normal speed to arrive at the pilot boarding position at the arranged time.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Transport, Maritime Administration Directorate.

Address: Port of Sudan, Sudan.

Tel: +249 31 182560

Fax: +249 311 821276

Mob: +249 91 2 310997

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

Repairs

Available for minor repairs.

Dry docks

Slipways available to accommodate small vessels up to 500t displacement. Slipways used for tugs, pontoon barges and tenders.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from the quays and by barge (200t capacity) but very limited in summer. Al Khair Oil Terminal: Available at berth by arrangement.

Bunkering: A small bunkering jetty is situated SSE of Berth No 17. Fuel oil and marine diesel available by barge and road tanker at all berths.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Port Sudan Hospital, 2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Sudan Airport, 18km.

Airport facilities: Passenger service, limited freight service.

Nearest railway: 2km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, 3 shifts: 0700-1500hrs, 1500-2300hrs, 2300-0700hrs. During Ramadan: 0500-1100hrs, 1100-1700hrs, 1900-0100hrs.

Overtime is compulsory.

Where it is

Port Sudan is located in eastern Sudan on the Red Sea.

The port

Port Sudan, is the principal port of the Republic of Sudan. It is divided into East Town, West Town and South Town and is situated on both sides of an inlet extending NW. The port itself is well sheltered from the sea and swell, entry and exit being made with no particular difficulties. The harbour is divided between North Port and South Port. The new Green Port, also known as El-Alhadar, is located on the SE outer side of the harbour. The entry to this is through a cut in the coastal reef.

The port also operates the Al Khair Oil Terminal, approx 1.5nm SE of Port Sudan main entrance, built for the import/export of petroleum products and LPG.

Traffic

Approx 7,500,000t, 270,000TEU and 600 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Sudan?

Compulsory for all merchant vessels using the Port and Al Khair Oil Terminal.

What time zone is Port Sudan in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Port Sudan?

The deepest berth listed is at Green Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Sudan?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port Sudan in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Sudan?

Port State Control at Port Sudan: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Sudan?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Sudan is SDPZU.

What crews who called at Port Sudan 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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