PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Samarinda
Pilot
updated Mar 2013Compulsory for vessels during daylight only. Send ETA at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Pilot boards in the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy (00°59.6'S 117°20.4'E) in Muara Pegah.
For the anchorage areas:
Maura Berau - centred on position 01°03.0'S 117°31.0'E.
Muara Jawa (Alpha) - 01°15.0'S 117°07.0'E,
Muara Jawa (Bravo) - 01°15.0'S 117°23.0'E.
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 233.26m, beam 42.6m, draught 6.0m, 94,225DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.9-1.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samarinda Port Terminal | — | 233 m | 3 |
| Samarinda Logistic Hub Terminal | 7.00 m | 112 m | 3 |
| Pertamina Samarinda Terminal | — | 109 m | 2 |
| TPK Palaran Container Terminal | — | 124 m | 1 |
| Adimitra Baratama Nusantara Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Anugerah Bara Kaltim Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Bukit Baiduri Energi Terminal | — | 90 m | 2 |
| Indocement Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Kalimanis Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Kayu Alam Perkasa Raya Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Muara Berau Anchorage Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Muara Jawa Anchorage Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| PT Punj Llyod Terminal | — | 84 m | 1 |
| PT Syam Surya Mandiri Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Semen Bosowa Terminal | — | 91 m | 1 |
All 23 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wana Hijau Pesaguan Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Palaran Terminal | — | 112 m | 1 |
| Sarana Abadi Lestari Terminal | — | 90 m | 4 |
| AKR Corporindo Palaran Terminal | — | 112 m | 3 |
| Astiku Sakti Terminal | — | 109 m | 2 |
| Lakosta Indah Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Pro Tank Terminal | — | 90 m | 1 |
| Sarana Aspal Nusantara Terminal | — | 107 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2026Approach
The entrance channel is 76m in width at its narrowest point and has a depth of 6.7m. There is ample water off Samarinda port to turn a vessel by the use of an anchor. Distance should be kept from the S shore to allow for swinging due to the sediment fill.
Port limits
Samarinda is bounded by the meridians of the notice boards on the left bank of the river in 117°06.3'E and 117°09.7'E. Each notice board bears the inscription "Batas Pelabuhan".
Charts and publications
BA 2639, 2893. Admiralty Pilot NP34, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be advised at least 24 hours prior to arrival. In addition to date and time of arrival the Master should also advise the estimated draught on arrival.
Communications
Radio: It is recommended to use Jakarta Radio for passing messages at long range, callsign "PKX". Working hours are 0001-0400hrs UTC on 8542kHz and 0001-1200hrs UTC on 8752kHz.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12, 14. Pilot Station, callsign "PKN3" works throughout 24 hours.
Documents
The agent will deliver the special forms onboard the vessel when alongside.
Note: When calling at Indonesian ports and terminals, all crew members must have valid passports. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry in the port. Non compliance may result in crew members being repatriated.
Health
Free pratique is granted on arrival.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) can be renewed at the major ports.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: All crew members must have a valid travel document.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate of Marine Safety and Seafarers, Directorate General of Sea Communications.
Position: Director
Address: Karya Building, 12th Floor, JI Merdeka Barat 8, Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia.
Tel: +62 21 350 5705.
Fax: +62 21 350 5705.
Mob: +62 811 960640.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.
ISPS compliance: The US Coast Guard has determined (12/2012) that the Republic of Indonesia is now maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in their ports. The Republic of Indonesia is removed from the list of the Countries Affected in paragraph B of the Port Security Advisory. Therefore, actions required in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory are no longer required for vessels that arrive in the United States after visiting ports in the Republic of Indonesia.
In a further effort to combat piracy, the Indonesian Government are allocating Piracy Anchor Safe Zones within some of their ports. These will be patrolled by the Indonesian Marine Police. Individual Port Authorities should be contacted about the latest information concerning these.
Port services
updated Jan 2023Repairs
Minor repairs can be effected.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by barge.
Stores: Limited provisions available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Abdul Wahab Sjahranie Hospital (3km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto International Airport (25.2km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours in three shifts.
Mon-Thu 0730-1630hrs. Fri 0730-1130hrs.
About Samarinda
updated Mar 2013Where it is
Samarinda is situated on the Mahakam River, approx 60km from the outer bar, in eastern Borneo.
The port
Samarinda is the principal trading place of the E coast of Kalimantan and is an important administrative centre. The port mainly handles timber from several large timber mills in various locations on the river, supplying logs and sawn timber for export. Coal, from various upriver regional mines, is regularly exported from the Muara Jawa or Muara Berau anchorages. There is also an oil jetty.
Questions about Samarinda
What are the pilot arrangements at Samarinda?
Compulsory for vessels during daylight only.
What time zone is Samarinda in?
Local time at Samarinda is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Samarinda?
The deepest berth listed is at Samarinda Logistic Hub Terminal: 7.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Samarinda?
1000.
Which load line zone is Samarinda in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Samarinda?
Port State Control at Samarinda: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Samarinda?
The UN/LOCODE of Samarinda is IDSRI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Samarinda 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.