Skikda

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 256.39m, beam 45m, draught 14.5m, 119,456DWT

Off Shore: LOA 219.5m, 39,520DWT.

Water density

1023.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

There is no tide to be considered (maximum 0.50m). However, winds from the W may raise the level of water in the Skikda Harbour by as much as 0.3m, and E winds lower the level or water by approximately the same amount.

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

Port limits

South of a line joining Ras Filfila and Sirgina Island.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A TSS is in operation in the NW and N approaches to Skikda and is shown on the chart. These use of these is mandatory.

Anchorages

There is good shelter from the West in the Baie de Stora but not from North West winds. In bad weather heavy seas roll into the Baie. Large vessels may anchor in good weather SE of Ilot des Singes in depths of 17m, sand.

In winter vessels should anchor further out in depths between 20m and 22m. Small vessels are allowed to anchor approx 0.175nm off the village of Stora in depths between 6.0m and 8.0m.

An anchorage for tankers is situated 1nm NE of Skikda in depths of over 20m. Vessels should not obstruct the N and NE approaches to the harbour entrance.

Anchorage is prohibited in an area extending NE from Ilot des Singes.

Restrictions

There are no restrictions except during bad weather conditions when, over F7 Beaufort scale, the Old Port will be closed.

Old Port Turning Basin: Diameter 360m, depth 11m.

Depths, including those areas which have been dredged where the depth is known, should be checked with the Port Authority.

Tankers, LNG carriers and LPG carriers can berth throughout 24 hours. Sailing vessels have priority over berthing vessels.

Swell from N has caused sufficient movement at the berths to stop cargo operations.

Mooring

Departing vessels have priority over arriving vessels.

All LNG and LPG carriers must use 4 headlines, 4 sternlines, 2 springs and 2 breast lines. All other vessels (general cargo, container ship, Ro-Ro, bulk carriers) must have 2/3 headlines, 2 or 3 sternlines and 1 or 2 springs.

Charts and publications

BA 855, 252. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival to Skikda Port Control by fax: +213 28 755148. ETA should include details of LOA, draught, nature of cargo and tonnage.

Standard messages

None.

Documents

Harbour Master's Office:

Inward Declarations to be completed and kept available for agent and Port Authority.

Health

Free pratique is granted by the Maritime Health Brigade on arrival, provided no illness has been recorded onboard. Pratique is automatic for vessels coming from other Algerian ports.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

Attention should be paid to the counting of Bonded Stores, such as cigarettes, spirits, etc. Beer is not sealed. Crew are allowed 200 cigarettes plus 1 bottle of wine or spirits each per week. Further allowances can be requested weekly upon an application form via ship's agent.

Flags

Vessels must display Algerian flag, yellow flag (pratique), red flag (dangerous cargo), company flag and the flag of the nationality of the vessel as required.

Notices and regulations

Gangway/Deck Watchmen: Not compulsory but recommended.

The Harbour Master may recommend a guard on vessels carrying certain categories of hazardous cargoes.

The accommodation ladder is to be raised onboard at night.

Safety Regulations: In case of emergency, any Master, Officer on duty or watchman should give the alarm.

If there is a shore telephone onboard, dial 14 for Fireman (fire, flooding, injured persons) or call the Central Watch Tower by VHF Ch 16 to get the assistance of the Police (disturbance), via Harbour Master's, or draw attention by repeated siren or whistle calls, the burning of a red flare, or any other authorised distress signal.

It is strictly forbidden for ships to use their whistles or sirens in the harbour, except when vessel is under way for preventing collisions. Strictly forbidden to call Pilot by means of whistle or to use it without any reason.

It is strictly forbidden to carry out deballasting operations in the harbour waters, before a systematic appraisal has been made by the Master, the Dock Master or a Surveyor and approved by the Harbour Master representative, proving that ballast water is clean.

Any repairs being made to the hull of the vessel, scraping, painting, painting of Load Line marks must be authorised by the Harbour Master Representatives.

Trials of the engines can only be done with an authorisation from the Harbour Master Representatives.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Direction de la Marine Marchande.

Address: 119 rue Didouche Mourad, Algiers, Algeria.

Tel: +213 21 747572.

Fax: +213 21 743395.

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Class NK.

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Class NK.

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

Where it is

Skikda is situated 400km E of Algiers.

The port

There are two port areas, Skikda (Old Port) and Port Methanier (New Port) a sub-port which is 1nm E of Skikda. Both ports use the same traffic control and anchorage areas.

Skikda port is protected to the North by a long outer breakwater, the Grande Jetee du Nord, extending 1,615m in length with an entrance 100m wide to the NW. A wider, more substantial breakwater extends 0.2nm from the shoreline towards the head of the Grande Jetee du Nord. A broad jetty approximately half way down the shoreline, extends North East from the South Quay and splits the port into two distinctive areas, the outer and inner harbour. The total length of quayage is over 2,400m, with maximum permissible draught alongside 14.0m.

There are three tanker berths along the inside of Grande Jetee du Nord.

The port handles bulk grain, containers, Ro-Ro's, general cargo and oil products.

The new port area is used exclusively for oil, petroleum products, LPG and LNG. There is also a general cargo wharf and offshore, two SBM buoys. The harbour comprises 2 breakwaters projecting NE for 1,737m, NW for 650m. The entrance faces ENE. Within the basin there is a turning circle 550m in diameter with a depth 16.0m

Traffic

Approx 22,000,000t of cargo (including 1,000,000t of grain), 150,000TEU, 3,000 passengers and 2,500 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Skikda?

Pilotage is compulsory in Golfe de Stora SW of a line joining Le Lionceau and Cap Skikda, for vessels of 500GT and over, during day and night.

What time zone is Skikda in?

Local time at Skikda is UTC+1. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Skikda?

The deepest berth listed is at Sonatrach / New Port: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Skikda?

1023.

Which load line zone is Skikda in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Skikda?

The UN/LOCODE of Skikda is DZSKI.

What crews who called at Skikda 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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