Toamasina

Size limits

LOA 292.5m, beam 40m, draught 14m, 74,999DWT.

Water density

1023.

Load line zone

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Tides

HW: 0.57m

LW: 0.33m

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

Approach

The port is approached as follows:

From the E, through Grande Passe de l'Est, 3nm NNE of Pointe Tanio, which is the best for deep draught vessels.

From the N, through Passe du Nord, into which Grand Passe de l'Est leads and from which the inner coastal route leads N.

There are leading marks for both passages.

Passe du Sud, (0.5nm SE of Pointe Tanio), between Recif de la Pointe, which fringes Lohatanjona Hastie and Ilay Harandriaka Lehibe, 1.25nm NNE of Lohatanjona Hastie is dangerous and closed to shipping. A channel N of Ilay Harandriaka Lehibe should not be used as there are no leading marks and the currents are uncertain.

The harbour is entered through a marked channel between a reef fringing Ilay Harandriaka Lehibe and Pointe Tanio.

Approach to Grande Passe de l'Est is as follows:

The best time for making the land in the vicinity of Grande Passe l'Est is between 0700hrs and 1000hrs.

In clear weather the approach presents no difficulty but in bad weather, without reliable radar it is more difficult on account of the dangers lying offshore and because heavy rain squalls may obscure all visual aids to navigation. Also due to the uncertain currents a vessel may set many miles N or S in the same season and apparently under similar conditions, care is necessary at all times and on the whole it is better to be prepared for a S set, the customary practice being to make Nosy Alanana.

From the junction of Grande Passe de l'Est and Passe du Nord, by day bearing 188° of a light, (grey lantern) on the port office building, leads towards the harbour entrance passing W of a 16.6m patch 2.5nm N of the port office.

When clear of the patch the track leads S to the harbour entrance passing;

E of a lightbuoy, 1.5nm N of the port office, moored at the extremity of a bank on which the sea does not always break that extends NE from Pointe Tanio 1.25nm NNW of the port office, on which a light, (white tower, black base and cupola, 32m in height) is exhibited;

Close W of Ilay Harandriaka Lehibe, 0.8nm to 2nm NNE of the port office, the W edge of which is always visible and can be safely approached to a distance of 0.1nm.

Depths in approach to Inner anchorage, min 21.0m CD, min UKC 6.0m.

Depth at entrance to port, min 17.0m CD, min UKC 3.0m.

Depth in turning basin, diameter 400m (18°08.8'S 049°25.5'E) is 14.0m CD, min UKC 1.5m.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained, in good weather, E of the reefs and outside the port limits, in depths of 35 - 50m. In bad weather, vessels are advised to drift well offshore. Port Authorities may allocate one of six designated anchor berths, good holding ground, N of Pointe Tanio to vessels waiting to berth or under quarantine.

Restrictions

Berthing is available 24 hours. Tanker Berthing is only allowed during daylight hours (0530hrs - 1630hrs).

The maximum permitted tanker LOA 240m, draught 12.3m, min UKC 1.5m.

Wind: When winds are 25kts, berthing is prohibited. At 35kts, cargo operations are stopped.

Tugs

1 x 2,720hp and 1 x 2,2350hp equipped with firefighting, available to assist ships manoeuvring in Port. Small tugs and lighters for ships operating on roads. One port launch for crews of ships at anchor.

Charts and publications

BA 695, 696, 3905. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(8).

Communications

"SVM Tave" - Diego, "BLU" 6210, 4. Inmarsat is possible by PTT.

VHF: Pilot & Tugs: Ch 16, 12.

Harbour Master's Office: Tel: 261 20 53 32994, Fax: 261 20 53 33558, Email: [email protected].

Health

Quarantine: A pratique message should be sent to the vessel's agent who will inform the Port Health Officer. Vessels are boarded in the vicinity of the quarantine anchorage. The appropriate International Code signals should be displayed.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluviale.

Position: Director General.

Address: Vice Premature, BP 581, Anosy, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.

Tel: +261 20 222 5860.

Fax: +261 20 222 5860.

Mob: +261 320 229259.

Email: [email protected]

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

USCG Security Levels: The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that, effective Dec 4 2009, it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving to the United States from Madagascar, with the exception of vessels arriving from Toamasina (also known as Tamatave) during their last five port calls.

In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in a Madagascan port; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in a Madagascan port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in a Madagascan port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. (74 Fed. Reg. 45230).

Repairs

Minor repairs only, a slip for vessels of about 200t in the lighterage harbour. Divers are also available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Nearest hopsital: Hopital Kely (1.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Aéroport Ambalamanasy de Toamasina (6km).

Nearest railway: Toamasina Railway Station (1km).

Where it is

Toamasina (Tamatave) is situated 180nm from the N end of the E coast of Madagascar, at the head of a small bay.

The port

Toamasina is the principal port on the island. The harbour itself consists of 3 moles and is large and sheltered with safe anchorage between Apr and Nov. There are 2 entrance channels, but only the North Passage is in use. The harbour is equipped for handling various cargoes including bulk grain, chrome ore, containers, petroleum products, general cargo and passenger traffic.

Imports: Rice, wheat flour, cement, fuel, coal, limestone, sulphur.

Exports: Nickel, cobalt, chromium, textiles, litchi, cloves, vanilla.

Traffic

Approx 5,550,000t of cargo, 1,700 vessels and 200,000TEUs handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Toamasina?

Pilotage is compulsory and available throughout 24hrs.

What time zone is Toamasina in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Toamasina?

The deepest berth listed is at Galana Raffinerie et Terminal (GRT): 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Toamasina?

1023.

Which load line zone is Toamasina in?

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Toamasina?

Port State Control at Toamasina: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Toamasina?

The UN/LOCODE of Toamasina is MGTOA.

What crews who called at Toamasina 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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