Sikka

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 256.39m, draught 15m, beam 45m, 119,456DWT

Off Shore: LOA 339.76m, draught 22.1m, beam 60m, 323,860DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Tides

MHWS: 5.38m, MHWN: 4.35m, MLWN: 1.74m, MLWS: 0.71m, MSL: 3.0m

Within Sikka Creek, the tidal stream set is generally in a direction parallel to the axis of the channel, with a maximum rate of 2kts.

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

Approach

Sikka Creek is approached from the E end of the deep route 8nm NW, and entered between Narara Bet and Goos reefs.

The channel, marked on either hand by buoys (lateral) in accordance with the IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region "A"); it leads from the vicinity of the Sikka Pilot Boarding Position about 2nm SE then 1nm SE to close N of the ammonia berth, or 2nm E to the Ro-Ro berth. The channel to the ammonia berth is narrow with a least reported depth of about 8.2m, but it should be noted that shallower charted depths lie close outside the channel.

Caution: The outer buoys are reported liable to drag in strong winds.

SBM approach: Is directly from the E end of the deep water route, noting least depth of 28.0m in the approach to SBM-1.

Oil Jetty approach: The terminal is approached directly from the deep water route 8nm WNW of the pilot stations. The approach from the Fairway Lightbuoy is generally ESE then SE through a channel marked by lightbuoys between Goos and Munde Reefs.

Anchorages

VLCC anchorage: Situated between 2-6nm ENE of SPM-2, as shown on chart, in 28-36m of water. Anchorage is also available 3nm W of SPM-1 in 36m of water, and 3nm SSW of SPM-1, in the tanker anchorage in depths of 14.0-20.0m.

Outer anchorage: Vessels awaiting a berth anchor in the vicinity 22°31.4'N 069°46.0'E, in depths of 14.0-20.0m. This anchorage is exposed to the SW monsoon and reports indicate that it may be crowded.

Sikka Creek: provides sheltered anchorage in a depth of 11.0m about 0.5nm within the entrance between the SW side of the Goos Reef and Siri Reef.

Crude oil tankers anchorage:

22°39.00' N 069°53.5' E

22°41.80' N 069°58.3' E

22°40.00' N 069°58.3' E

22°37.30' N 069°53.5' E

Product tankers anchorage:

22°37.30' N 069°53.5' E

22°40.00' N 069°58.3' E

22°39.00' N 069°58.3' E

22°36.20' N 069°53.5' E

Other tankers anchorage:

22°33.05'N 069°44.8' E

22°33.05'N 069°45.8' E

22°30.55'N 069°45.8' E

22°30.55'N 069°44.8' E.

Restrictions

Berthing at SBM's is only permitted during daylight hours and during monsoon (May 1st-Sep 30th) only between 2 hours before and 2 hours after daylight HW.

Night berthing at Jetties permitted with reduced max LOA and max draught of 9.0m, night unberthing restricted to max LOA 230m at Berths C and D and max draught 12.5m at all berths.

Tugs

Tugs are compulsory for berthing at Reliance Jetty.

Jamnagar Terminal: SBM's have 4 x 52t bollard pull, Jetty tugs 4 x 40t bollard pull.

Sikka jetty: 1 x 15t bollard pull and 2 x 3t bollard pull.

Charts and publications

BA 1470; Indian 2083, 203. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA and relevant ISPS information should be sent along with a request for pilotage 48 hours in advance to port offices at Okha and Bedi Bandar.

Reliance Jamnagar Marine Terminal: 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours notice to be given in local time.

Communications

There is no coastal radio station in the port. Messages should be sent via Bahrain or Singapore Radio.

VHF: Sikka Pilots & Terminal: Ch 16, 11, 12, 13.

Jamnagar Pilots & Marine Terminal: 16, 68, 71. Call Reliance Port Control.

Tel: +91 288 6612600, Fax: +91 288 6612699, Email: [email protected].

All vessels are advised to maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 11 and 13 during oil lighterage operations between May and Oct.

Notice of readiness

NOR is not acceptable at the end of sea passage, only as above.

Health

Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: One bottle of liquor and one carton of cigarettes is allowed for each crew member per week.

Immigration: Immigration officials will check passports/CDC (Seaman's Books) and issue shore permits. Nationals from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China (mainland) will not be issued with landing permits.

Notices and regulations

Local weather and sea state:

SPM's: Berthing will be suspended when sustained wind speeds exceed 30kts or when significant wave height exceeds 1.8m.

In general when the sustained wind speed exceeds 35kts cargo operations should cease and the hoses be disconnected and hung off.

When making a decision to let go the pilot in conjunction with the master will assess the situation prevailing at the time and how the vessel is lying to the buoy. However, in sustained wind speeds exceeding 40kts, or significant wave height of 3m, the ship should be unmoored and taken to the anchorage.

Tanker berths: Under normal circumstances berthing will be suspended when sustained wind speeds are in excess of 25kts, or if any significant swell exists which will affect the operation of the tugs. This may be in the region of 1.3m.

While moored alongside, the loading arm parameters are set at 30kts and should be disconnected when the sustained wind speed exceeds the limit. Swell wave action and movement of the vessel may also necessitate the disconnection of the arms.

In rising winds exceeding a sustained speed of 35kts or significant wave height of 1.5m, consideration must be given to leaving the berth.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Director-General of Shipping.

Position: Nautical Adviser to the Government of India.

Address: Jahaz Bhavan, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001, India.

Tel: +91 22 2261 0606

Fax: +91 22 2269 4352

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.dgshipping.com

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

Repairs

Minor repairs only.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Limited amounts available by barge or road tanker.

Bunkers: Limited amounts available by barge or road tanker.

Jamnagar Terminal: No facilities available from berths but may be arranged through vessel's agent at anchorage.

Medical

Emergency medical treatment only available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Jamnagar, 25km.

Nearest railway: Sikka.

Working hours

Sikka Cement: Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available up until 0300hrs on request.

Jamnagar Terminal and Ammonia berth throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Sikka is located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch, on the NW Indian coastline.

The port

The port of Sikka comprises the Ammonia berth at the LCB Jetty, the SDCC cement lighterage wharf and the Lo-Lo/Ro-Ro jetty of RPL, approached through Sikka Creek. The Jamnagar Marine Terminal, operated by Reliance has 10 berths in total, which consists of 5 tanker berths and 5 SPM'S.

Imports: Phosphoric acid, liquid ammonia, coal, machinery, crude oil and propylene.

Exports: Clinker, cement and salt.

Traffic

Approx 127,000,000t of cargo and 1600 vessels are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sikka?

Send ETA at least 48 hours in advance, with request for pilotage, to the port officers at Okha and at Bedi Bandar.

What time zone is Sikka in?

Local time at Sikka is UTC+5:30. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Sikka?

The deepest berth listed is at Reliance Jamnagar Marine Terminal: 22.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sikka?

1025.

Which load line zone is Sikka in?

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sikka?

Port State Control at Sikka: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sikka?

The UN/LOCODE of Sikka is INSIK.

What crews who called at Sikka 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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