PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ras Isa Marine Terminal
Pilot
updated Aug 2010Vessels proceeding to and leaving the "Safer" (except for small launches and other craft specially authorised to operate within the marine terminal area) must utilise the service of a licensed pilot(s) provided by the General Corp for Ports & Marine Affairs, Al-Hodeidah, Yemen. The marine terminal will arrange for the pilot(s). Masters of vessels coming from sea may anchor or, if proceeding to sea, may leave from the holding anchorage without the assistance of a pilot(s).
For vessels not located alongside the "Safer", the pilot shall embark or disembark by means of an accommodation ladder.
If the pilot agrees, a pilot hoist may be used in lieu of an accommodation ladder and pilot ladder but a standard pilot ladder shall be immediately available in the event of a failure of the pilot hoist.
The export tanker's engines must be stopped while the pilot is transferring from the tug or launch to the vessel or vice versa. As a general rule, the pilot will board the vessel about 2nm S of Ras Isa Marine Terminal. If available and upon receiving permission for landing from the Master of the export tanker, a helicopter may be used for pilot boarding.
Master must sign the Pilot's Indemnity Certificate before the vessel gets underway or manoeuvring commences. Vessels calling at the marine terminal will be liable for any damage caused by the vessel to the marine terminal or to any marine terminal property or to any other vessel lying therein whether or not a pilot was assisting at the time.
Key data
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSO Safer | — | 351 m | 1 |
| FSO 'Yemen' Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Ras Isa Terminal | — | 236 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2025Approach
There is no fairway or channel to approach the anchorage.
Port limits
Port limits are as indicated on Admiralty Chart.
Anchorages
The holding anchorage is the only authorised anchorage available to vessels calling at the terminal. The terminal and the holding anchorage have a water depth of 37.0m. Vessels are not permitted to enter the Ras Isa Marine Terminal holding anchorage without prior approval from the terminal authorities.
Restrictions
A circular restricted area with a radius of 2nm has been established centred on the Loading Storage and Offloading vessel 'Safer'.
Only those vessels loading at the facility and with a pilot embarked may enter the restricted area.
Tugs
It is emphasised that the whistle signals form of communication between vessel and tugs is for emergency use only and that, if possible, manoeuvres should be aborted or suspended until VHF contact is again possible.
Mooring
The above wires/ropes are to be sent from the export tanker and run out from closed chocks (Panama or roller chocks). Synthetic ropes on bitts are not allowed.
Tandem mooring: The marine terminal currently has 2 tugs available to participate in the tandem mooring operations. One tug will be used to pass the hawser pick-up messenger to the export tanker and later to pass the hose string to the export tanker.
The second tug will normally be proceeding astern of the export tanker and made fast by a towline passed from the tug. The tug, as directed by the export tanker's master and assisted by the pilot, will maintain sufficient pull on the towline to prevent the export tanker from riding up to the stern of the "Safer". The tug will also assist in maintaining alignment between the export tanker and the "Safer".
It is the export tanker's responsibility to maintain a lookout on the bow to monitor the mooring throughout the period the export tanker is tandem moored to the "Safer". The marine terminal will also maintain a lookout at the stern mooring bracket of the "Safer".
Emergency towing wires: On completion of mooring alongside the marine terminal, the export tanker shall provide 2 emergency towing wires of adequate strength and condition. One towing wire shall be secured to the offside bow bollards and the other to the quarter bollards with eyes run out and maintained at or near the waterline.
Prohibited area: The area enclosed within a circle the radius of which is 2nm centring on Ras Isa Oil Terminal (14°07.0'N 042°36.0'E) is a prohibited area. No vessel is allowed to enter this area unless they have a Ras Isa terminal pilot onboard.
Charts and publications
BA 157, 143, 542, 548, 1995, 4704. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notification of ETA: Vessels calling at the Ras Isa Marine Terminal shall advise the marine terminal of their estimated time of arrival (ETA) upon departure from the last port or, if at sea, as soon as orders are received to proceed to the marine terminal. ETA shall be repeated to the marine terminal and to the port authority of the port of Hodeidah 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance of arrival via: Email: [email protected] and [email protected].
Vessels equipped with Inmarsat satellite communications may address their telex(es) to: Ras Isa Marine Terminal, Inmarsat Ocean satellite and shall call the marine terminal on VHF Ch 74 when within range.
The General Corp for Ports and Marine Affairs - Hodeidah Port Authority has an Email: [email protected].
A vessel wishing to call at the marine terminal that has received damage and/or is leaking oil must include details of same in the ETA advice so that vessel can be inspected by a marine terminal representative before entering the marine terminal area.
Communications
VHF: "Safer" working channel is Ch 74.
Communications with the marine terminal: After berthing, the marine terminal loading master will bring with him a portable UHF radio set ("walkie-talkie") which will remain onboard throughout the export tanker's stay in berth and which must be returned to the marine terminal loading master before departure.
The UHF set is to remain open so that the export tanker and the marine terminal can maintain radio contact on a dedicated radio frequency at all times. The set can also be used to advise times for ballast discharge, tank inspection, standby for loading and completion of loading, etc.
Standard messages
Signed
Ras Isa Marine Terminal.
unquote
Notice of readiness
The Notice of Readiness (NOR) for vessels arriving at the marine terminal will be signed "For Receipt Only" by a marine terminal representative, usually the cargo custody transfer co-ordinator. If it is subsequently found that the vessel was not in all respects ready to load due to, for example, high oxygen readings in inert gas in cargo tanks or excessive deballasting time or other preparation for the nominated cargo, a Note of Protest will be delivered to the vessel which will automatically cancel the marine terminal's initial acceptance of the NOR. In such cases, the vessel must prepare a revised NOR, cancelling the first one and stating a time tendered in accordance with its subsequent readiness.
Documents
All ship's certificates must be valid.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Crew Inoculation Certificate must be valid.
Notices and regulations
Note: Smit type brackets are not acceptable.
Special parameters and conditions Oct 1 to Apr 30:
In addition to the dimensional limitations and other technical requirements the following parameters and conditions will govern liftings of crude oil from the marine terminal during the period Oct 1 through Apr 30.
Special parameters and conditions May 1 to Sep 30:
In addition to the dimensional limitations and other technical requirements the maximum single parcel lifting from the marine terminal during the period May 1 through Sep 30 will be 2,000,000bbls.
OBO vessels - precautions in cargo and ballast handling:
In order to ensure that total free surface effect of cargo/ballast tanks (holds) is kept within safe limits onboard combination carriers, particular care should be exercised when loading cargo or discharging ballast. Stability data on loading along with deballasting instructions should be available onboard and should be discussed between the export tanker's master and the marine terminal representative.
Additionally, a pre-arrival plan of trim and transverse stability during cargo and ballast operations should be prepared by the master and cabled to Ras Isa Marine Terminal, FSO "Safer" upon request by the marine terminal. The plan of operations should include data on loading rate limitations, manifold size and characteristics, deballasting rates, and IGS operability.
It will be the master of the export tanker's responsibility not to permit the vessel to list while loading cargo or discharging ballast. Conventional safety measures for combination carriers shall apply and the master should refer to the ICS/OCIMF ISGOTT, chapter 11.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Yemen Coastguard
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that vessels arriving at US ports from any ports in Yemen, with the exception of Ash Shihr Terminal, Balhaf LNG Terminal and the Port of Hodeidah, will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures.
Questions about Ras Isa Marine Terminal
What are the pilot arrangements at Ras Isa Marine Terminal?
Vessels proceeding to and leaving the "Safer" (except for small launches and other craft specially authorised to operate within the marine terminal area) must utilise the service of a licensed pilot(s) provided by the General Corp for Ports & Marine Affairs, Al-Hodeidah, Yemen.
What time zone is Ras Isa Marine Terminal in?
Local time at Ras Isa Marine Terminal is UTC+3. No summer time.
Who carries out Port State Control at Ras Isa Marine Terminal?
Port State Control at Ras Isa Marine Terminal: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ras Isa Marine Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Ras Isa Marine Terminal is YERAI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ras Isa Marine Terminal 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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