Sohar

1. Sohar boarding Position A Pilot boards24°35.0′N 056°37.8′E
2. Sohar boarding Position B Pilot boards24°33.3′N 056°37.7′E
3. Sohar boarding position 1 Pilot boards24°38.0′N 056°40.0′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 399.98m, beam 65m, draught 23m, 403,880DWT.

Offshore: LOA 269m, 149,686DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Tidal streams are NNW and SSE.

Low Astronomical Tide 0.0m CD.

Mean Low Low Water + 0.9m CD.

Mean High Low Water + 1.5m CD.

Mean Sea Level + 2.0m CD.

Mean Low High Water + 2.5m CD.

Mean High High Water + 2.9m CD.

High Astronomical Tide + 3.4m CD.

Currents are variable and light, mostly 0.25-0.75kts.

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

Approach

Main Harbour:

Entrance channel has a depth of 18.5m. There is one way traffic in the entrance channel.

Channel width 260m, Direction 180° with a coarse sand seabed

Western breakwater with a light character: FL(2) green.

Eastern breakwater with a light character: FL(2) red.

Harmool Harbour:

Breakwaters Entrance channel: 8m depth

Western breakwater with a light character: Iso (green)

Eastern breakwater with a light character: Iso (red)

Anchorages

Anchorage within the port is not allowed unless permitted by the Harbour Master.

Restrictions

Under Keel Clearance: All vessels shall maintain a min of 1.0m UKC.

Tugs

Tugs are available, 45t and 65t bollard pull in Omni-directional propulsion, tugs line are used.

Mooring

A vessel shall use adequate mooring ropes to safeguard the vessel to the satisfaction of the Harbour Master. Mooring ropes must be in good condition, the Harbour Master may require ships to renew any mooring rope, which in his opinion is damaged or unsuitable.

Accommodation ladder and or gangways if required to be provided by the terminal.

Charts and publications

BA 2837, 2851, 2853, Oman Chart 257. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

PCC's approval is subject to vessel movements in the port and the availability of pilots and tugs.

Communications

The port authority can be contacted, as follows:

1. Telephone: 968-26852700

968-26852703

2. Facsimile: 968-26852720

3. E-mail: [email protected]

The harbour master can be contacted, as follows:

1. Telephone: 968-26762517

968-26852777

2. Facsimile: 968-26852701

3. E-mail: [email protected]

Port Control (call sign: Sohar Port Control) can be contacted on VHF Ch 13,16 and 71.

Documents

Agent to inform PCC that the vessel will be ready to sail 2 hours before departure so PCC can inform the pilot, tugs and the linesmen about the ship boarding time.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate of Ports and Maritime Affairs.

Position: Director of Maritime Affairs.

Address: PO Box 684, Muscat, 113, Oman.

Tel: +968 693530

Fax: +968 694224

Mob: +968 942 8103

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Prior permission can be granted for special activities such as repairs, cleaning, painting and diving.

Before starting these repairs, a permit from the Harbour Master’s office is compulsory; hot work is prohibited on oil/gas/chemical tankers.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available. Bunkering services are available within the port; the shipping agent to liaise with service provider for this service.

Fresh water: Available. Water barge is available within the port. The shipping agent to liaise with service provider for supplying fresh water to the vessel.

Stores: Ship stores and spare parts can be arranged and delivered to the vessel via shipping agent.

Medical

Sohar Hospital in Sohar,37km.

Should a seaman need urgent medical assistance from a clinic or hospital, the PCC will coordinate with the agents to take him/her

to Sohar Hospital, or to one of the private hospitals or clinics in the area, depending on the urgency of the case.

Crew change

Crew change service is available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sohar International Airport in Sohar, 30km.

Working hours

Vessels discharging on Fridays and Public Holidays will have new shift timings involving two shifts only from Jan 2010 which are 1530hrs to 2330hrs and from 2330hrs to 0730hrs the following day.

Where it is

Sohar, a new port, is located in the N of Oman, approx 200km N of Muscat.

The port

Sohar is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Co (SIPC), a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and Rotterdam port.

Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) has been operational since September 2006 when phase 1 was completed.

The port will handle a variety of cargoes including general cargo, dry bulk, break bulk, containers, oil products and LPG. Continued construction is expected for several years to complete the port project. See developments in General Section for details.

Traffic

Approx 65,600,000t of cargo, 800,000TEU and 3,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Sohar?

The pilot boards at Sohar boarding Position A, 24°35.0′N 056°37.8′E. Sohar has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Sohar in?

Local time at Sohar is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Sohar?

The deepest berth listed is at Vale Terminal: 23.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sohar?

1025.

Which load line zone is Sohar in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sohar?

Port State Control at Sohar: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sohar?

The UN/LOCODE of Sohar is OMSOH.

What crews who called at Sohar 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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