Suakin

Size limits

Max LOA 135.36m, draught 8m, beam 19.6m, 12,332DWT.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean winter tide levels are approx 0.3m higher than mean summer level.

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

Approach

Approach is through a gap in the coastal reef which leads 2nm SW to the vicinity of the port. With Graham Point in line with the cotton factory chimney bearing 218°, leads into the port, passing 0.2nm N of the Outer Beacon on the SE side. Then, keep in the fairway guided by the beacons. Take care to give a wide berth to a rock with a depth of 2.0m or less over it, on the NW side of the channel, 100m SW of the head of Quarantine Pier.

Port limits

Suakin port is made up of an inlet, approx 2 miles long extending SW, at the western end of which is Condenser Island to the N and the historic old ruins of the town of Suakin located on an island to the S. A causeway connects this island to El Kaff, the main town of the region.

New port facilities of Osman Digna have been developed on the S shore and on the N shore further E.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: 11nm E of port entrance and two further areas approx 1nm NNE and 2.5nm NE of Sha'ab Ata (19°17'N 37°23'E). Reefs are unmarked in the channels leading to these anchorages. The sea over Sha'ab Ata and the detached reef located between the two entrances to these areas, only breaks occasionally.

Anchorage is prohibited in an area extending across the harbour about 0.5nm WSW of Graham Point (19°07'.5N 37°21.3E), where there is a submarine pipeline. Beacons mark the positions on the N and S shores, where the pipeline comes ashore (triangular topmarks, apex up).

Restrictions

The shores of the harbour are fringed by reefs which usually dry between May and August but are covered during December. There are shoals to the N of Condenser Island which restrict access.

When approaching the port from the Hindi Gidir area, visibility may be bad except in the early morning when the sun is in a better position. Landmarks can be obscured by haze, which is worse in the summer when reefs are not so clear in calmer waters.

Care should be taken as markers in the approaches to the port may be damaged or washed away and areas of shifting sand in the harbour entrance can be misleading.

Tugs

Two tugs available (2,000 hp) and mooring boats.

Charts and publications

BA 81, 82. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Communications

Pilots and Port: VHF: Ch 16. Tel: +249 311 822802, Fax: +249 311 822801

Documents

Port Authority and Customs require the following documents to be presented to agents latest 7 days prior to vessel's arrival.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Transport, Maritime Administration Directorate.

Address: Port of Sudan, Sudan.

Tel: +249 31 182560

Fax: +249 311 821276

Mob: +249 91 2 310997

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

Repairs

Available in Port Sudan for minor hull and engine repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering, fresh water and stores are available. Vegetables are scarce except in winter.

Medical

There is a small hospital at El Kaff.

Transport

The nearest airport is Port Sudan, 48km. Passenger flights and limited freight service available.

Where it is

Suakin, also known as Sawakin, is located approx 35 miles S of Port Sudan and 17 miles S of the Bashayer 1 and 2 Terminals.

The port

Suakin port is made up of an inlet, approx 2 miles long, with Condenser Island located about 1 mile to the SW of Graham Point. A small dredged channel separates the island from the mainland on its W side, where there are salt pans. The port is also known as Osman Digna.

The main traffic consists of container, Ro-Ro, LPG and coastal vessels. There is also pilgrim passenger traffic to Saudi Arabia.

Traffic

Approx 430,000t of cargo, 310,000 passengers and 750 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Suakin?

Available 24 hours. Pilot boards in position 19°08'.60N 037°24'.00E (2nm E of the harbour entrance).

What time zone is Suakin in?

Local time at Suakin is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Suakin?

The deepest berth listed is at Osman Digna Terminal: 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Suakin in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Suakin?

Port State Control at Suakin: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Suakin?

The UN/LOCODE of Suakin is SDSWA.

What crews who called at Suakin 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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