PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Sapele
Pilot
updated Oct 2018Pilotage is compulsory within the river. Pilotage is available during daylight hours only and should be arranged through the vessel's agent in the port of destination.
Key data
updated Oct 2018Size limits
LOA 170m; max draught 6.4m
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.8m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapele Terminal | 6.40 m | 170 m | 6 |
| Dutchess Energy Tank Farm | — | — | 1 |
| Nepal Tank Farm Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Prudent | — | — | 1 |
| Rainoil Depot Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Sapele Oil Terminal | — | 183 m | 1 |
| Sapele Tanker Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2018Approach
There is a dredged entrance channel leading to the anchorage abreast Munro Creek.
Port limits
Port limits are bounded by the parallels of 05°52'N and 05°57'N and the meridians of 005°38'E and 005°44'E.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained in a depth of 7.3m abeam the entrance to Munro Creek. Mooring buoys lie close to the SE end of Munro Island and extend along the N bank of the river to the entrance to the Jamieson River 0.7nm E. There are berths at these buoys for vessels up to 137m in length in depths of 4.7-7.6m.
Restrictions
A submarine cable, marked by beacons, extends across the river, about 300m E of SE end of Munro Island.
Charts and publications
BA 3307. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
The ship's agent in Lagos must be advised via Lagos Radio, 7, 4, 3, 2 and 1 days prior to arrival and the same information passed to the Harbour Master by the same means. On arrival the vessel should contact The signal station on VHF and they will request the following information from the vessel.
Communications
VHF: Port: Ch 16, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14. Available 24 hrs.
Telephone: 234-803-3002587; 234-705-5959229
Facsimile: 234-53-250840; 830-1772323 (INMARSAT)
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Nigeria Ports Authority.
Position: General Security Manager.
Address: 26/28 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234 1 264 5894
Fax: +234 1 264 5894
Mob: +234 80 3301 9750.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Oct 2018Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Diesel available locally, fuel oil available from Warri.
Medical
Lana Hospital in Sapele, 7.5km
Transport
Nearest airport: Benin Airport (70km).
Working hours
Normally throughout 24 hours.
About Sapele
updated Oct 2018Where it is
Sapele is situated over 100km from the sea, at the confluence of the Benin, Ethiope and Jamieson Rivers.
The port
The port of Sapele, part of the Delta Ports complex, is at Ogorode, near the flour mills, 6km downstream of the town. General cargo, petroleum products, dry bulk and container are handled.
Traffic
Approx 500,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Sapele
What are the pilot arrangements at Sapele?
Pilotage is compulsory within the river.
What time zone is Sapele in?
Local time at Sapele is UTC+1. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Sapele?
The deepest berth listed is at Sapele Terminal: 6.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Sapele?
1025.
Which load line zone is Sapele in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Sapele?
The UN/LOCODE of Sapele is NGSPL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Sapele 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.