Sandakan

Size limits

Offshore: LOA 250m, beam 20m, draught 9.3m, 102,000DWT

Harbour: LOA 250m, beam 20m, draught 9.3m, 102,000DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean max range 1.5m, mean min range 0.3m.

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

Approach

Deep draught vessels are recommended to follow the track for Malawali Channel and the outer approach to Sandakan Harbour.

From the lightbuoy marking the outer limits of the bar, moored 8.5nm NE of Berhala Lighthouse, steer 216° for the Inner Bar Lightbuoy, moored 5nm SW, which leads over the bar with min depth of 7.6m (CD). When in depths of more than 11.0m steer slightly S to pass 0.5nm SE of the S end of Pulau Berhala (05°51'N 118°09'E) and then to the anchorage or as required, avoiding Atjeh Rock.

Port limits

The port limits are defined by lines joining the following positions:

05°52.8'N 118°06.1'E

05°53.5'N 118°08.2'E

05°50.5'N 118°14.0'E.

Anchorages

There is anchorage anywhere S of Atjeh Rock, in depths of 13.0-17.0m, mud. The holding ground is good, but it is advisable to lie to a long scope of cable due to the strong tidal streams and the possibility of sudden squalls.

A large number of small craft are usually anchored within the 5m line W of Sandakan town.

Discharging Anchorage: Unless it is intended to come alongside the wharf, vessels discharging should

anchor 0.4nm due S of the wharf. If discharging into lighters and loading timber simultaneously, vessels should proceed to the Timber Anchorage.

Timber Anchorage is marked by a buoy off Allard Bank. Vessels should anchor close NE or E of the buoy.

Anchorage is prohibited in an area, within a radius of 610m of Government Wharf.

The Quarantine anchorage and Explosive anchorage are areas, adjacent to each other, 1.5nm ESE of Government Wharf.

Vessels with dangerous petroleum onboard must anchor S of these areas.

Restrictions

There is a depth of 7.6m at the bar making some vessels tide bound.

Tugs

One tug of 636hp available.

Charts and publications

BA 1649, 2576, 950. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 24 hours in advance together with request for pilotage, number of passengers, health situation, manifest and quantity of (fresh) water required. Messages may be sent through Singapore (9VG).

The message should include the need for a pilot and the intended boarding area, either at the bar light buoy or within the harbour.

Communications

Singapore or Kota Kinabalu Radio are recommended for passing messages. Singapore Radio works throughout 24 hours; Kota Kinabalu works from 0800-1600hrs weekdays and 0800-1200hrs on Sat.

There is a coast radio station and a port radio station at Sandakan.

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12. Hours Pilots: 0530 to 2000hrs.

Pilots and Port: Tel: +60(0)89 612411, Fax: +60(0)89 612975

Port Manager’s Office :

Sandakan Port

Wisma Pelabuhan

Jalan Kamunting

P.O. Box 1368

90715 Sandakan

Sabah, Malaysia

Phone : +6 089-612411

Fax : +6 089-612975

Port Email : [email protected]

Health

The Sabah Government are signatories to the World Health Organisation convention on quarantine regulations. The Port Health Doctor will not board unless the vessel is arriving from an infected port. A Maritime Declaration of Health is to be completed and handed to the agent, together with a copy of the Crew List and a copy of the Passenger List.

The vessel should telex its agent prior to arrival advising the last port of call and whether vessel is healthy.

Pratique is normally granted by radio and vessels should only proceed to the quarantine anchorage if arriving from an infected area.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed for a 3 month period.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Allowance per person per day is 142ml of spirit or 1,136ml of wine, beer or stout, 1,136ml, cigarettes, 25 or cigars, 8 or tobacco, 28.3gm or snuff, 28.3gm. Up to 3 days allowance issued at a time.

Immigration: Immigration Officer boards vessel on arrival and clears the ship inwards. The officer requires 2 copies each of the Crew List and Passenger List.

Notices and regulations

Vessels should not berth after dark without special permission, but they may leave the berth having given prior notice.

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: Marine Industrial Control Division.

Contact person: Director.

Address: PO Box 12, 42007 Port Klang, Malaysia.

Tel: +60 3 3346 7777.

Fax: +60 3 3168 4454.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.marine.gov.my

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

Repairs

Small repairs can be undertaken. There are several patent slips.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from Government Wharf at about 20tph.

Bunkering: Marine diesel fuel oils can be obtained from Karamunting Oil Jetties.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan (6km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Sandakan Airport (9km).

Working hours

Normally First Shift 0800-1600hrs, Second Shift 1600-2400hrs, third shift 0000-0800hrs (overtime, upon application).

Where it is

The port of Sandakan is situated in NE Sabah, facing the Sulu Sea.

Its entrance is marked on the NW side by Pulau Berhala (5°52.21'N 118°08.70'E)

The port

Sandakan port is the second busies port in Sabah, Malaysia. It is located at the East Coast of Sabah. The port handles general cargo, container, passenger, Ro-Ro, bulk palm oil and crude oil cargoes. Four berths are on an island pier which extends SE of the main port complex, a recent development. Timber vessels are loaded from anchorage and Palm oil tankers are berthed to the W of the port area.

Traffic

35,500,000t of cargo and 353,000 TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sandakan?

Pilotage is compulsory and available 24 hours a day.

What time zone is Sandakan in?

Local time at Sandakan is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Sandakan?

The deepest berth listed is at Mowtas Oil Terminal: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sandakan?

1025.

Which load line zone is Sandakan in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sandakan?

Port State Control at Sandakan: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sandakan?

The UN/LOCODE of Sandakan is MYSDK.

What crews who called at Sandakan 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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