Sultan Qaboos Port

Size limits

LOA 300m, draught 13.0m

Water density

1026.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.7m (spring), 0.8m (neap).

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

Approach

The port, open from the N, is approached passing E of Jazirat Fahl (23°41'N 058°30'E) and Fahl Fairway Lightbuoy; the port is entered between Ra's ash Shutayfi and Ra's al Baz (1nm SE).

Port Sultan Qaboos has a very open approach with a deep water anchorage. The hilly coastline is radar conspicuous. Lights on Mina Al Fahal Island, Jazirat Muscat and the breakwater make navigation fairly simple. There are no appreciable currents once inside the bay.

Vessels approaching from a N or W'ly direction pass N and at least 1nm clear of Fahal Fairway Lightbuoy (safe water) situated in position 23°41.00'N 058°33.12'E. Then remain at least 1nm E of the lightbuoy, to ensure adequate clearance from the tanker moorings in Mina Al Fahal, before making the approach to the pilot boarding position or anchorage.

Vessels approaching from an E'ly or S'ly direction pass N of Jazirat Muscat.

Depth of the entrance channel and turning basin is 13.0m. The turning basin has been recently widened to 390m.

Prohibited entry area: The whole of the bay of Khawr Muscat S of the line between Ras Kalbuh and Ras Muscat.

Port limits

The port limits are bounded by the following parameters: From the level of HW, springs at a point near Ras Kab at 058°33.12'E due N to 23°41.00'N then due E to 058°35.36'E due S to Jazirat Muscat then in a generally S direction by the line of HW springs on the W side of Jazirat Muscat to Pinnacle Rock.

Anchorages

Vessels intending to use this anchorage must contact Port Control giving vessel's particulars and requesting an anchorage position. It should be noted that all vessels must be represented by a local agent before permission to anchor will be granted.

The area enclosed by the following perimeters is a prohibited anchorage area:

N Boundary - the parallel of 23°41.0'N.

E Boundary - the meridian of 058°36.0'E.

S Boundary - Oman coastline.

W Boundary - Muscat Forward Leading Light bearing 145° from seaward and Port Qaboos Breakwater Light bearing 240° from seaward. Severe penalties are imposed for vessels infringing these prohibited areas.

There is a temporary anchorage area W of Fahal within Lat 23°53.0'N and the coastline of Oman and between Long 058°10.0'E and Long 058°28.5'E.

Note: The prohibited entry, restricted areas and prohibited anchorage areas are to be strictly observed. Vessels intending to anchor N of the port are to contact Port Control giving vessel's particulars, and request an anchorage position.

All vessels should be represented by a local agent before permission will be granted.

Restrictions

Khawr Muscat Bay, S of a line between Ras Kalbuh and Ras Muscat is a prohibited entry area.

Tugs

There are 4 tugs, 2 x 32t bollard pull, two of which are fitted with the most modern VSP system, fire fighting and anti pollution equipment, 1 x 30t bollard pull and 1 x 15t bollard pull, three are equipped with fire fighting gear and foam tanks. Only port or agency tugs allowed to be used.

Mooring

Berthing and unberthing throughout 24 hours. Vessels can berth immediately on arrival without waiting.

Charts and publications

BA 3518, 3522. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should establish contact with Port Control 3 hours before arrival.

During major dredging operations incoming vessels must additionally confirm their ETA when 5nm away from the breakwater light and establish contact with the Port Control, 1 hour before ETD.

Communications

Port Control can be contacted on R/T via Muscat Radio.

VHF: Port: Callsign Port Sultan Qatoos (PSQ): Ch 16, 14.

Coast Guard: Ch 11

Pilot: Ch 14. Tel: +968 2471 4000, email: [email protected]. Available 24 hours.

Notice of readiness

Vessels berthed alongside in the port should be able to sail at short notice, if not cleared in writing with the Harbour Master.

Health

Radio pratique upon arrival. Quarantine Officers board the vessel to check Ship Sanitation Control, Maritime Declaration of Health and Smallpox Vaccination Certificates.

Customs and immigration

Customs officials seal storerooms and shotguns.

Notices and regulations

The following instruction has been received by all Ships Agents from the Port Authority regarding the use of ships cranes in port:

quote:

"Please be informed that of late it has been observed that ship crews are operating the vessel's crane without the knowledge of our Ship Supervisors when the vessel is alongside for discharging/loading operations. This has some times resulted in accidents causing damages to our gantry cranes which in turn affect the services offered to you.

We seek your co-operation to advise the Master of vessel that when ship is alongside and operational, no crew should be allowed to operate the ship's crane without written approval from the Ship Supervisor. This will enable us to avoid accidents to both port gantry cranes and vessel cranes.

The necessary format for the written approval will be available from concerned Ship Supervisor.

We request your co-operation for our mutual benefit."

unquote.

Harbour regulations: Rat guards are required to be fitted on all mooring ropes and wires; guards may be hired from the Port Authority; discharge of sewage into the harbour is prohibited.

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

Contact agent. Divers available.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Fuel oil only available on Berth Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Contact agent.

Fresh Water: Available at all berths, at a rate of 8,000 gallons/hour.

Stores: Ship and engine room stores limited availability. Marine lubricating oils available.

Medical

Port clinic and government hospitals available.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Muscat International Airport, approx 45km.

Working hours

Revised working week: The Corporation's Operations Notice No.2/2011 states that it is adopting a 5 day week working pattern, with Thursday and Fridays as official weekly holidays (weekends).

The official working week will therefore be Saturday to Wednesday, and the normal working hours will be from 0700 hours to 1600 hours.

Vessel operations, however, will be carried out on a 24 hours day basis.

Currently, the weekend/overtime is applicable only on Fridays (and public holidays). When this change comes into effect, the weekend will be on Thursday & Friday and all marine & stevedoring services provided on these days will be on overtime basis.

Where it is

Port Sultan Qaboos is located on the N coast of the Gulf of Oman, 2nm NW of Muscat.

The port

Sultan Qaboos Port is transferring the commercial activities including container and general cargo handling to Sohar Port. Sultan Qaboos Port will be redeveloped for tourism.

Traffic

Approx 1,400 vessels, 2,400,000t of cargo, and 500,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sultan Qaboos Port?

Compulsory for all vessels and is available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Sultan Qaboos Port in?

Local time at Sultan Qaboos Port is UTC+4. No summer time.

What is the water density at Sultan Qaboos Port?

1026.

Which load line zone is Sultan Qaboos Port in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sultan Qaboos Port?

Port State Control at Sultan Qaboos Port: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sultan Qaboos Port?

The UN/LOCODE of Sultan Qaboos Port is OMOPQ.

What crews who called at Sultan Qaboos Port 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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