Sochi

Size limits

LOA 300m, draught 8.5m.

Water density

1005.

Load line zone

Summer.

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

Approach

Outer approach routes: An approach channel leading into the port is of 100m wide and 1.5nm long with a depth of 9.7m. The channel is subject to one way navigation. The direction of movement shall be established by the Traffic Control Post. The W and S approach routes lead through waters clear of dangers to the seaward end of the final approach channel, approx 0.3nm S of the breakwater entrance.

Final approach channel: The alignment (356.75°) of a pair of light beacons: (mast, 10m in height) (43°34.9'N 039°43.0'E).

Rear light (white rectangle, black stripe on black metal framework structure, 17m in height) (540m from front light).

Leading lights (356.75°) lead along the centre of the channel through the breakwater entrance.

The E and W limits of the channel are marked by the alignments (354.25° and 359.75°) of the rear leading light beacon and 2 light beacons (red triangles, points down, black metal masts, 8m in height) standing on the base of Severnyy Mol close to the front leading light beacon.

The Inner Harbour is entered between lights marking the head of Severnyy Mol (white round concrete tower with gallery, 16m in height) and Yuzhnyy Mol (green framework tower, 10m in height).

Manoeuvring of vessels in the harbour as well as mooring/unmooring operations will be permissible provided wind force does not exceed 27.2kts, waves are not over 1.5m high and visibility not less than 0.5nm.

Port limits

The port area is contained by the arc of a circle, 2nm radius, centred on Sochinskiy Lighthouse.

Anchorages

Deep draught vessels anchor in Anchorage Area No 419 with depths of 11.0m to 25.0m, mud and sand.

The quarantine anchorage is contained within an arc radius 0.25nm centred in position 1.2nm from the Sochinskiy Lighthouse, bearing 212°.

Caution: The roadstead off Sochi is completely open from NW, through W to SW. Vessels are advised to proceed to sea when S'ly winds get up.

Restrictions

Entry to the port is prohibited during heavy storms. On receipt of a storm warning of the expected increasing wind velocity beyond 27.2kts a Port Control duty officer will warn all vessels lying within the port waters either on VHF Ch 09 and 16, or by telephone. Actual wind reaching the velocity beyond 27.2kts, all vessels shall take the appropriate precautionary measures to ensure their safety. Port auxiliary and service vessels shall suspend the work and proceed to places of refuge as instructed by Port Dispatcher. Under stormy weather with wave height in excess of 1.5m and wind velocity exceeding 27.2kts lying alongside is dangerous due to Tyagun. Taking into account that phenomena, vessels alongside berths must leave for the roadstead in proper time.

Masters of vessels being moored stern to Berths No 1-5 and No 8-10 when receiving a storm warning shall increase length from the berths up to 8m and 4m respectively.

Taking into consideration that the city is a seaside resort as well as having tourists/passengers in the vicinity, handling of dangerous goods; classes 1, 2, 4.3, 6.1, 7 according to IMDG Code is prohibited in the port of Sochi. Handling of dangerous goods classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 5, 8, 9, IMDG Code, may be affected at Berths No 13 and 14 after having been agreed with the Port Control Inspection.

Vessels are prohibited from mooring to the Northern Mole.

Tugs

Compulsory for all foreign vessels of 200GT and above. Vessels of more than 200GT shall use at least 2 tugs. Request for tugs should be sent to the agent 2 hours before arrival. If the wind speed is more than 27.2kts and wave height more than 1.5m the towage is prohibited. Tugs operated by pilot.

Mooring

Mooring to the Berths No 1 and 2 can be done by alongside or aft, No 13 is only by alongside and No 14 is only by aft.

There are no mooring boats at the port.

Charts and publications

BA 2236, 8172. Admiralty Pilot NP24, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Master of a vessel shall advise 48 hours prior to arrival but not less than 6 hours before entering the port, directly or through an agent the appropriate information according to the Maritime Declaration of Health addressed to the Sanitary and Quarantine Service of the port.

Communications

Agents monitor Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered in writing through agent.

Health

Quarantine Officer boards the vessel with Authorities. He requires Maritime Health Declaration with the following information: Last 3 ports of call (name and date), where and how many tons of fresh water were taken onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

The vessel will be boarded, by Customs and Immigration officials, while lying alongside berth or in the roads immediately on vessel's arrival at the port. Until the Sanitary and Quarantine, Immigration and Customs formalities have been completed and a vessel from abroad granted free pratique, no other person except for a pilot may board or land and no article is allowed to be taken from or to vessel.

Allowance is 200 cigarettes if different brands and 400 if the same and 2 litre of alcohol. Immigration Officers keep watch at vessel's gangway during vessel's stay in port.

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: Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Service.

Address: 3/6, Petrovka Str, Moscow 125993, Russia.

Tel: +7 495 221 7130.

Fax: +7 495 200 1003.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.msecurity.ru

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

Repairs

None available.

Dry docks

None.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berth.

Bunkerkng: Only diesel oil available from trucks. Bunkering usually carried out during day time. As an exception with the Harbour Master's approval in writing a vessel lying in the roadstead may be supplied with bunkers under favourable weather conditions; an oil recovery barge alongside the bunkered vessel is compulsory.

Medical

It is necessary for agent to receive advance notice of required medical attention in Sochi. Any medical assistance can be provided at the local hospitals. Inoculations and vaccination can be carried out. The evacuation for urgent medical assistance is available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sochi (31km).

Working hours

Stevedores work 0900-2200hrs. Sat and Sun can be worked without extra pay.

Where it is

Sochi is located on the E shore of the Black Sea, between Sukhumi and Tuapse.

The port

Sochi handles a variety of cargoes and also offers facilities for Ro-Ro vessels and passenger vessels. The port is closed to oil tankers.

Port Authority control also includes port passenger stations of Loo, Khosta, Kurgorodok and Adler.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sochi?

Compulsory for all foreign vessels and all Russian vessels of 200GT and above.

What time zone is Sochi in?

Local time at Sochi is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Sochi?

1005.

Which load line zone is Sochi in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sochi?

Port State Control at Sochi: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sochi?

The UN/LOCODE of Sochi is RUSOC.

What crews who called at Sochi 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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