PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ras Lanuf
Pilot
updated Feb 2022- Ras Lanuf boarding — anchorage Pilot boards30°31.7′N 018°37.9′E
- Ras Lanuf boarding — harbor Pilot boards30°30.7′N 018°37.8′E
- Ras Lanuf boarding — offshore terminal Pilot boards30°33.3′N 018°36.2′E
Compulsory. Board vessels which are proceeding to the harbor in the vicinity of the outer lighted buoy (30°30.7'N.,18°37.8'E.) or at the anchorage (30°31.7'N., 18°37.9'E.) can contact pilots on VHF channel 11, 14, or 16. Pilot is provided by the oil company who remains with the vessel during the whole port turn around.
Mooring masters will meet vessels in vicinity of the sea buoy, if under way, or in the anchorage area (30°33.3'N 018°36.2'E) NW of the terminal, if at anchor.
Key data
updated Feb 2022Size limits
Harbour: LOA 250m, beam 31m, draught 12.5m, 50,000DWT.
Offshore: LOA 277m, draught 22.86m, 300,000DWT.
Water density
1027.
Load line zone
Summer zone.
Tides
Tides are minimal, the largest observed in recent years being approx 45cm but more commonly 25cm. Currents are not predictable but appear to be greatly influenced by wind direction. Currents vary in strength from 1-3kts and persist for 12 to 24 hours after the wind ceases.
Currents: Currents, which appear to be mainly wind generated, vary from 1-3kts and continue for 12-24 hours after the wind has ceased.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ras Lanuf Offshore Terminal | 22.86 m | 277 m | 4 |
| Rasco Harbour Terminal | 12.50 m | 250 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2022Approach
The port is approached through the Approach Reporting Point.
The mooring area has been swept to a depth of 22.8m in Berths No 1 and 2 and 29.3m in Berths No 3 and 4. A suggested anchorage area is within 914m radius of 30°33.4'N 018°36.3'E in 27.4m of water.
Anchorages
The anchorage area is 0.5nm radius centred on position 30°33.4'N 018° 35.4'E.
Restrictions
Strict entry restrictions apply; contact oil terminal before arrival.
Tugs
7 tugs available, 2 x 2350hp, 2 x750hp and 3x145hp.
Mooring
The method of securing to a SPM buoy is as follows:
The vessel approaches the buoy from downwind, taking care to keep the wind exactly ahead (adequate ballast to be retained onboard to maintain manoeuvrability). A messenger line (preferably a vessel's mooring line) is led through a fairlead, large enough to permit the entry of a 96mm diameter chafing chain, on the bow down to the water's edge clear of the vessel's bow. The terminal's launch crew then make this fast to a 91.4m x 12in plaited polypropylene buoy approach rope and the vessel is then hove steadily towards the buoy until the chafing chain lies across the fairlead. The chafing chain is secured using vessel's AKD type chain stopper The 2 x 16in hoses are then picked up on the port side.
To unmoor from the buoy, the approach rope is taken to the windlass and the weight taken is then slacked into the water as the ship goes slowly astern from the buoy. The end is cast off and allowed to float free for the next vessel.
General berthing information: Turbine powered vessels when lying at the buoy must not turn their engines at more than 5rpm, preferably less, as this can cause the ship to ride up on the buoy and could cause considerable and expensive damage.
Charts and publications
BA 3343. Admiralty Pilot NP49, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2017Communications
Raf Lanuf Port Control contacts:
Call sign: Rasco Port Control, VHF: Ch 10, 16, 22 or 27.
FPSO: VHF: Ch 12.
Ras Lanuf Office contacts:
Tel: +218 21 3605177, +218 21 3605178, +218 21 3605179, +218 21 3605180, +218 21 3605182
Fax: +218 21 3605174
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.raslanuf.ly
Ras Lanuf Oil Terminal:
Call sign: Ra's Lanuf Oil Contro, VHF: Ch 11, 14 or 16.
Pilots: Email: [email protected]
VHF: Ras Lanuf Oil Control Centre keeps continuous watch on Ch 16, 14 and 11. Vessels approaching the terminal should make contact on Ch 16, 3-4 hours prior to arrival. Upon contact the vessel will be requested to switch to Ch 14 or 11. This channel will also be used by Terminal Marine Section for internal use and tanker mooring control.
Ch 11 is reserved for communications between vessels in mooring and Terminal Oil Movements Control Centre and should only be used for general purposes after obtaining clearance from Oil Movements Control on Ch 16. This is a safety measure, since oil flow to vessels is controlled through Ch 11 and therefore it must be clear at all times in case of the need to stop oil flow for any reason. Ch 16 is for calling and safety use only.
In case of failure of radio and/or radio telephone communications, daylight lamp signalling may be used with the control centre of the terminal administration building located on top of the ridge WSW of Ras Lanuf.
Company mooring master will have sole control of radio communications during the period a vessel is manoeuvring or moored in a berth. No radio transmissions will be permitted onboard ship except by the express permission of the mooring master. Only the mooring master may transmit on Ch 11 and 14, during the period he is onboard. He will have a VHF Radio Telephone.
Notice of readiness
Insufficient or inaccurate ETA messages may alter the order of berthing of vessels to the advantage of those vessels giving sufficient and accurate ETA messages.
Acceptance of NOR will also be affected by such insufficiency or inaccuracy.
Any vessel rejected due to dirty ballast or for causing sea pollution will automatically nullify its NOR and will lose any priority of position for loading.
The company will make every effort to load vessels upon arrival or as soon as a berth is available, if weather conditions permit.
NOR will not be accepted at time of arrival unless the vessel is in all respects ready to load. Arrival time will be taken as the time pilot/mooring master boards if the vessel is berthing on arrival, or the anchorage time, not EOP time.
Health
The vessel should have a clean Bill of Health or equivalent document from the last port of call. The vessel's master and all members of the crew should possess International Certificates of Health showing a valid Smallpox Vaccination Certificate.
Customs and immigration
Clearance from the last port of call will be required by the government authorities.
According to the Libyan "Boycott of Israel" Law, it is considered to be a violation for any vessel calling at Libyan terminals or ports to have onboard any item whatsoever of Israeli origin regardless of the country from which it was actually obtained. This law is strictly enforced and the min penalties will probably include a fine and confiscation of all such items.
Flags
During loading or unloading the international code flag "B" shall be displayed in accordance with the International Code Signal agreement.
Notices and regulations
Penalties: Fine, confiscation of goods and possibly more, the Libyan Government strictly enforces this law.
Inert Gas: All vessels shall have their cargo tanks in the inerted condition prior to berthing.
The berthing pilot shall check the contents of the tanks using vessel's equipment. If the oxygen content of the tank exceeds 8% by volume, the vessel shall not be berthed until the oxygen content of all tanks reaches the requirements.
Age of vessels: Any vessel over 20 years of age may, in accordance with Libyan Maritime Law, be rejected.
Berthing: Tenders by vessels to load crude oil cargo will be normally accepted and berths assigned to vessels in chronological order of arrival provided such vessels have current nomination for cargo valid at the time of tender, carry clean ballast, if any, and have cargo tanks in a fit condition to receive cargo. Also they must be in all respects properly equipped and ready to moor. Should berthing be delayed on account of bad weather, vessels will keep their position in line unless terminal storage warrants bringing in larger ships first, to bring storage tanks back to a safe level.
Vessels required to leave the area due to bad weather should keep in contact with the terminal via the company, on VHF Ch 16, in order that they may be available to resume terminal operations, when the weather is fit.
The Company reserves the right to load vessels out of turn following the return of good weather, to the extent that such loading out of turn does not materially delay the loading of other vessels in line. Further the company reserves the right to decline to moor a specific vessel if its condition or facilities are unsafe for mooring or loading even though the terminal may be open to other vessels.
The Company Marine Superintendent's decision on the above will be final.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya..
Address: PO Box 390, Tripoli, Libya.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Feb 2022Repairs
Not available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Ras Lanuf Hospital, 21.5km.
Crew change
Crew members cannot pay off or leave the vessel at Ras Lanuf except in cases of extreme emergency. Even in an emergency it should be noted that seaman's books are not valid under the Libyan Law. A valid passport is required. All costs of repatriating personnel will be charged to the ship's account.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ras Lanuf Airport, 5.9km .
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Ras Lanuf
updated Feb 2022Where it is
This port is currently in civil conflict area, caution is required.
Ras Lanuf is a point on the N Coast of Africa in the Gulf of Sidra.
The port
The port consist of a harbour, operated by the Harouge Oil Operations for an offshore oil export terminal that handles crude oil and RASCO who operates three finger jetties and a cargo quay that handles dry, break bulk, heavy load, CPP and LPG cargo at RASCO Harbour Terminal.
Caution: Due to the existence of a fish in this area known as the Weaver fish, vessels crew are advised to exercise caution if fishing in the port area. The fish has a dorsal fin with spines containing poisonous venom. The poison causes extreme pain and may lead to severe medical complications.
Questions about Ras Lanuf
Where does the pilot board at Ras Lanuf?
The pilot boards at Ras Lanuf boarding — anchorage, 30°31.7′N 018°37.9′E. Ras Lanuf has 3 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Ras Lanuf in?
Local time at Ras Lanuf is UTC+2. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Ras Lanuf?
The deepest berth listed is at Ras Lanuf Offshore Terminal: 22.86 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Ras Lanuf?
1027.
Which load line zone is Ras Lanuf in?
Summer zone.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ras Lanuf?
The UN/LOCODE of Ras Lanuf is LYRLA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ras Lanuf 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.