Sibu

1. Sibu boarding position 1: Kuala Paloh Pilot boards02°25.5′N 111°17.9′E

Size limits

LOA 99.9m, beam 22.2m, draught 8.5m, 6,918DWT.

Water density

1000-1005.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Tidal range 2.7m. Actual levels vary with the fresh water flow in the river and at times of floods may rise 1.8 to 2.4m above predicted levels. The velocity of the current alongside the wharf at Sibu is reported to be about 0.5kt.

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

Approach

The port is approached from the vicinity of position 2°30'N 111°09'E, through a buoyed channel (the buoys are fitted with radar reflectors and the Fairway Buoy is visible for a distance of 10nm)

which leads over the bar, which restricts draughts to 5.18m in the NE monsoon, or 6.1m in the summer months.

A conspicuous wreck in position 02°28'N 111°14.6'E with 2 posts above CD, serves as a good approach to the Paloh Channel entrance, and Tanjung Sedi which is on the N bank of the river is marked by a light beacon.

Paloh Channel: Vessels using this entrance are restricted to a LOA 152m and draughts of 6.1m during the SW monsoon which reduces to 5.0m during the NE monsoon. Vessels of 5.5m have entered the Paloh Channel but entrance depends on the state of the sea.

When crossing the Paloh Channel, strong currents and swell (especially during the NE monsoon period) are liable to be encountered thus necessitating caution.

An inner bar with a least depth of 3.7m exists where the Paloh Channel joins the Seredang at Tanjung Gelang. This crossing is marked by transits and is sheltered.

Rajang Entrances: Vessels intending to use the Rajang River to Sibu are restricted to 61m in length and 7.0m draught as after Tanjung Manis deepwater anchorage, the river is winding, narrow and shallow. The depth of the bar is 5.8m below CD. Two wrecks in position 02°07.6'N 111°7.25'E and another in position 02°8.7'N 111°14.2'E are marked by starboard hand buoys. There is a bar situated approx 3.0nm below Sarikei with at least depth of 3.9m below CD.

From Sarikei to Bintangor the river is winding with some shallow patches. Lebaan Corner which is 15nm below Sibu has a depth of 2.2m.

Port limits

Outer limit: An imaginary line drawn from the Land and Survey Trig Station "N54" on Munggu Tiga to the lighthouse of Tanjung Jerijeh, (02°09.40'N 111°09.79'E), then to the leading light tower at Kuala Igan (also known as Land and Survey Trig Station "TT10"), then proceeding approx E for 15,434m to the Land and Survey Trig Station "TT11" which is situated on the beach between Kuala Igan and Kuala Oya and then to a point at the HW mark on the S bank of the Sungai Kut Canal where it joins the Batang Igan.

Inner limit: An imaginary straight line drawn due N across the Batang Rajang from the Land and Survey Trig Station, "N90", which is on a prominent hill approx 914m E of the Kapit Bazaar to a point at the HW on the right bank of the Batang Rajang.

Anchorages

Anchorage for vessels waiting for the tide or pilot can be obtained in the vicinity of 02°30'N 111°40'E, 9.5nm WNW of Tanjung Sedi, in depths of 8.5m. If the bar is crossed, there is good anchorage 0.25nm S of Tanjung Sedi in depths of approx 10m.

Anchorage may be obtained in depth of 11.0m, 1nm ENE of Tanjung Pendam (02°17'N 111°40'E).

Prohibited anchorages: Anchorage is prohibited in the area SE of the entrance to Batang Igan.

There is a restricted anchorage for loading and discharging of dangerous cargoes, other than petroleum, off the NE side of Pulau Kerto.

Restrictions

Paloh Channel: Shoaling has been reported to a depth of 2.7m below CD at the middle of the fairway and inner buoy. Masters of vessels are advised to consult their tide tables before entering. There is an obstruction off Tanjung Ensurai approx 6.25nm upriver from Lebaan with a depth of 4.6m. Caution should also be exercised when rounding Tanjung Bunjei due to 3 shoals across the river, one of which has at least depth of 3.0m.

Vessels using this route to Sibu are advised to navigate with caution as tugs towing barges and logs of 100m or more are often encountered.

Charts and publications

BA 162, 3836, 1336. Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).

Communications

Singapore and Kuching Radio stations, which work throughout 24 hours, can be used for passing messages.

VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, 18. Email: [email protected].

Documents

Port Clearance documents are to be surrendered to the Customs and Excise Department when boarding.

Health documents, Vaccination Certificates and Cholera Inoculation Certificate to be examined by Health Inspector.

Health

Every vessel arriving in quarantine shall fly or show the appropriate International Quarantine signal and no person, other than a pilot, Port Officer, Port Health Officer, Immigration Officer or Customs Officer shall board the vessel and no person shall disembark until the vessel has been cleared by the Port Health Officer.

Customs and immigration

Available at Customs and Excise Department and Immigration Department, Malaysia.

Flags

See "No 8" of General notices and regulations below.

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

Major repairs available.

Dry docks

There are 8 shipyards with slipways, one of which can accommodate vessels up to 2,000GT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: DO available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Sibu Hospital (8km).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sibu (25km).

Working hours

Mon-Thu and Sat 0730-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs, 1730-2300hrs; Fri 0730-1130hrs, 1430-1700hrs, 1730-2300hrs.

Where it is

Sibu, Sarawak, is situated on the Rajang River, 82km from the sea.

The port

The port has facilities for container, general and bulk cargoes, which include timber and agro based products. Sibu is one of the major shipbuilding and ship repair ports in Sarawak.

Traffic

Approx 860 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Sibu?

The pilot boards at Sibu boarding position 1: Kuala Paloh, 02°25.5′N 111°17.9′E.

What time zone is Sibu in?

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

What is the water density at Sibu?

1000-1005.

Which load line zone is Sibu in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sibu?

Port State Control at Sibu: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sibu?

The UN/LOCODE of Sibu is MYSBW.

What crews who called at Sibu 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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