Saldanha Bay

1. Saldanha Bay pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°06.4′S 017°49.9′E

Size limits

LOA 330.07m, beam 57.0m, draught 21.25m, 315,085DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.0m springs. Saldanha Bay is periodically affected by heavy swells particularly in the winter months. (At HW spring swells can often exceed 7.0m as monitored by a device moored in the entrance channel). This can sometimes affect vessels on the jetty, causing them to see-saw on the fenders and break lines. In extreme cases vessels have to be taken off the berth and go to anchor or stand out to sea. Vessels should therefore not immobilise their engines without written permission from the port captain and sufficient crew must always be kept onboard.

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

Approach

The depth of the navigation channel is 23.7m CD, width 400m, the turning basin situated seaward of the jetty has a diameter of 580m and a depth of 23.2m CD.

Leading lights are exhibited from a structure 0.4nm NE of Marcus Island Light and from the head of the ore loading jetty, 0.6nm farther NE. The front leading light is only exhibited when vessels are using the leading line. The lights in line, bearing 056°, lead towards a second pair of leading lights, 800m apart, situated 0.4nm ESE of Lynch Point. These lights in line, bearing 080° lead into Saldanha Bay through the entrance channel. A racon transmits from the rear beacon. East Lightbuoy (yellow, spherical) is moored on the leading line 2nm WSW of the front leading light.

Club Mykonos Marina situated 0.2nm SSE of Lynch Point, is formed by a breakwater extending 300m S from the S side of Lynch Point and by another extending NW from the shore to within 100m of the other. A light is exhibited from a white concrete structure on the head of each breakwater.

Port limits

The outer harbour limits are the area between Long Point to the N of North Head (33°03.0'S 017°54.7'E) extending 3nm seaward on a bearing 244° and Vondeling Point to the S of South Head (33°06.3'S 017°57.3'E) extending 3nm seawards on a bearing 231°.

Anchorages

The outer anchorage is very poor and the port authorities do not recommend anchoring other than at St Helena Bay, with SAMSA permission, which is situated approx 4 hours steaming NNE of Saldanha Bay. It provides good holding, but is exposed to N gales, heavy seas and swells in the winter. There is safe anchorage at the inner anchorage where a limited number of vessels can be accommodated at a time.

Prohibited anchorage: Tankers loaded/part loaded and in ballast of more than 150,000DWT shall not be permitted to anchor within the confines of the Port of Saldanha. Tankers of less than 150,000DWT will be permitted to anchor at harbour master's discretion provided in possession of gasfree certificate checked by a certified chemist plus any other conditions considered necessary.

Restrictions

Berthing: Vessels berthing at the ore facility with a draught of less than 14.0m are berthed and un-berthed at any time; bulk carriers of more than 14.0m draught and loaded tankers are berthed during daylight only. Vessels less than 100,000DWT berth port side to either on the W or E side of the ore loading terminal; vessels greater than 100,000DWT are berthed bow to sea. Vessels berthing at the Multipurpose Terminal are berthed between 0600 and 2200hrs. OBO's loading ore must be certified gas free by a chemist.

UKC: Vessels are required to have at least 1.0m on the tide gauge when passing down the channel. Incoming vessels with a draught of over 19.5m must have the equivalent of the excess over 19.5m on the tide gauge when turning in the basin. If the tide is ebbing, the pilot will decide whether there is sufficient time for the operation to be completed safely.

Min arrival draught: Vessels must be sufficiently ballasted to permit safe navigation within the harbour.

If a draught is too light, the docking of a vessel may be delayed in windy conditions or its safety may be prejudiced.

Navigational warnings: Masters of vessels are warned not to proceed too close to the shore line in the vicinity of Saldanha Bay Harbour, nor to cross the arrival line without a pilot. The arrival line is a straight line connecting the centres of the two lighthouses at North Head and South Head.

The "Wasserfall Bank", situated between the Jutten and Malgas Islands across the entrance to the outer bay, constitutes an unmarked hazard.

Prohibited Area: A prohibited area extending from 0.1 to 0.3nm offshore, surrounds the N extremity of Donkergat Peninsula (33°04.5'S 18°59.2'E), as far S as Riet Bay (33°05.4'S 18°0.0'E) on the E side and a position 1.5nm SE of South Head on the W side. Buoys mark the limits of this area in the approaches to Salamander, Donkergat and Riet Bay on the E side of the peninsula.

Tugs

Sailing tug requirements: Usually one tug is sufficient for vessels facing out to sea. Other vessels may require a second tug to assist. Pilots will use 2 tugs for deep draught vessels over 250,000DWT to minimise undercutting the quay.

Mooring

All tankers berthing at the oil jetty and all vessels with a draught of over 14.0m are berthed during daylight hours only. Movements for vessels with draught over 19.0m is tidal and daylight only.

Note: Vessels smaller than 100,000DWT are docked portside to, on E or W. Larger vessels are docked bow to sea. Under normal conditions a tanker will be required to put out 6 lines each end, 4 breasts and 4 springs. A launch will assist in running the longer lines.

Charts and publications

BA 1236, 8083, 4145, 4146, 4151. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

Communications

Radio RT: Port Control: 2182kHz.

VHF: Saldanha Bay Port Control/VTS: Ch 16, 11, 12, 14. Tel: +27 22 703 5310. Fax: +27 22 703 4116.

Tugs: Ch 09.

Helicopter: Ch 16, 10.

Customs and immigration

Customs and Immigration will collect these forms on berthing and put any undesirable or illegal material under seal.

Cargo documentation: The agent, tallymen and/or wharf foreman will complete the paper work before a vessel sails. The departure time will be booked by the agent via port control. The port authorities request a minimum of 2 hours notice of any changes to this time.

Customs and immigration officers will board all vessels arriving from foreign ports. No persons are allowed ashore until the above officers grant permission. Vessels should fly the international flag 'I' during daylight hours until permission is granted. All vessels at anchor shall not be allowed to have contact with shore personnel or local craft unless the vessels agent with the respective authorities properly arranges the same.

Flags

South African flag to be flown at all times. Before entering the port of Saldanha, every vessel shall hoist her national colours, the South African flag, the immigration and quarantine flags.

Notices and regulations

The regulations for the harbours of the Republic of South Africa are in force within the Harbour limits of Saldanha Bay, and W of a line drawn approx 000° from Hoedjies Point, which is under the jurisdiction of the department of industries.

Tankers: Pilots of vessels passing berthed tankers shall advise the tanker of shipping movements in the proximity and proceed at slow speed when passing.

Hazardous cargo: A certified chemist boards each vessel and checks the IG system prior to the vessel being permitted to COW. Vessels arriving to load must be fully inerted and are checked by the chemist at the pilot station.

Lead concentrates, when transported and handled, should remain covered at all times so as to prevent toxic emissions.

Cargo handling vehicles enter through a water trench to limit concentrate dust on vehicles caused by cargo handling.

Note: Vessels loading iron ore must issue a letter stating that their gangway has been inspected and is in good condition.

The letter must be submitted together with a valid certificate to Kumba Resources, the operators of Saldanha Bay Iron Ore Terminal (via the agent), either at the pre-plan meeting or before Notice of Readiness (NOR) is signed.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

Inspection of ships in South Africa

The Director, Shipping Competence, Department of Transport

Private Bag X193, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

Tel: +27 12 290 2904.

Fax: +27 12 290 2914.

ISPS

ISPS Compliance: SA Port Authority (TRANSNET)reports that South Africa's 7 commercial ports are fully compliant with the ISPS Code.

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

Head Office

Tel : (011) 351-9192

Fax: (011) 351-9196

Cell: 083 284 8210

ludwigb@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Richardsbay

Tel.: (035) 905-3146

Fax: (035) 905-3133

Cell: 083 417 2162

yogank@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Durban

Tel.: (031) 361-3771

Fax: (031) 361-3759

Cell: 083 286 2094

HennieST@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

East London

Tel.: (043) 700-2421

Fax: (043) 700-2070

Cell: 083 417 3920

grahamk@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Port Elizabeth

Tel.: (041) 507-1773

Fax: (086) 500-7478

Cell: 083 301 2659

[email protected]

Mossel Bay

Tel.: (044) 604-6273

Fax: (044) 604-6232

Cell: 072 708 4378

deringj@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Cape Town

Tel.: (021) 449-4270

Fax: (021) 449-2274

Cell: 083 376 8826

thembanig@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Saldanha

Tel.: (022) 701-4344/5

Fax: (022) 714-3017

Cell: 083 285 3505

Sonwabog@Transnet National Port Authority.co.za

Repairs

Minor repairs can be carried out at Saldanha but major repairs will have to be carried out at Cape Town. All the repair firms are based in Cape Town. There are three slipways in Smitswinkle Bay, the largest of which can accommodate vessels up to 1,200t, length 70m, breadth 11m and a draught of 5.0m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Freshwater: Can be supplied via pipeline at Bulk Terminal, Crude Oil Terminal and Multipurpose Terminal at approx 35tph.

Bunkers: No ex-pipeline bunkering service is available on the jetty. Heavy fuel oil is not available in this port. Small quantities of gas and diesel are available at the ore berths and are supplied from drums or road tankers that are based in Cape Town. All requests for bunkers must be forwarded through the vessel's agent. The majority of vessels calling at the port will usually take their bunkers in either Cape Town or Singapore before or after their arrival at Saldanha Bay.

Stores: Stores are available from Cape Town, from all chandlers.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Vredenburg Provincil Hospital, 17.0km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Saldanha Airport, 10.9km.

Working hours

Berthing and sailing throughout 24 hours.

The ore loading terminal and the Tanker Jetty work throughout 24 hours.

The general cargo quays work as follows: Mon to Fri, first shift: 0700-1900hrs and second shift: 1900-0700hrs, Sat 0700-1900hrs, Sun 0700-1500hrs.

Where it is

Saldanha Bay is situated on the W coast of South Africa, approx 60nm NNW of Cape Town.

The port

The port is situated in a natural harbour with a depth in the main entrance channel of over 23.0m. The principal exports the port handle are iron ore, lead, coiled and galvanised steel, copper and zinc ore concentrates, granite, pellets, anthracite, pig iron, salt and frozen fish while for the port imports LPG, through an MBM 900m E of the ore jetty, and crude oil. There is also a multipurpose terminal quay, with facilities for break bulk cargo handling.

Traffic

Approx. 74,000,000t including of 60,000,000t of iron ore cargo, 200 TEU and 600 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Saldanha Bay?

The pilot boards at Saldanha Bay pilot boarding place, 33°06.4′S 017°49.9′E.

What time zone is Saldanha Bay in?

Local time at Saldanha Bay is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Saldanha Bay?

The deepest berth listed is at Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal: 21.25 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Saldanha Bay?

1025.

Which load line zone is Saldanha Bay in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Saldanha Bay?

Port State Control at Saldanha Bay: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Saldanha Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Saldanha Bay is ZASDB.

What crews who called at Saldanha Bay 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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