Vung Tau

1. Saigon River pilot station Pilot boards10°21.8′N 107°02.9′E
2. Vung Tau boarding Zone 1 Pilot boards10°20.4′N 107°03.4′E
3. Vung Tau boarding Zone 3 Pilot boards10°16.3′N 107°04.9′E
4. Vung Tau boarding Zone 4 Pilot boards10°14.7′N 107°05.1′E

Size limits

LOA 200m, beam 32m, draught 10.3m, 63,350DWT.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

The main current tends to follow the monsoon wind direction, at up to 5kts on the surface. The tidal range is 1.0m to 1.4m.

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

Approach

The petroleum and gas facility near Thang Nhut, and Cat Lo, are both approached and entered via the dredged buoyed channel, average depth 9.0m. There are more buoys reported than charted. This channel crosses the bar of Song Dinh; the bar is about 0.7nm across and has fishing stakes on it. Light beacons aligned 096° lead across the bar. There is a turning basin in the river off the petroleum and gas facility.

Tugs

Available with power of 2,800hp.

The use of field support vessels for mooring and offloading hose handling is compulsory and under the supervision of the Mooring Master. For control and static tow function, one of the field support vessels will make fast at the stern of the lifting vessel for the entire lifting operation from approach and mooring until crude oil transfer has been completed, and the lifting vessel has finally unmoored and at a safe distance from the FPSO. The lifting vessel will provide a good towing rope of at least 10in circumference. The second vessel will provide other operational support, floating hose deployment, personnel transfer and for emergency response.

Available at Cat Lo (Vieco) Port. 1 x 1,200hp, 1 x 1,8000 hp.

Mooring

Loading of vessel at the terminal shall be completed only by way of tandem mooring. The general mooring pattern is as follows:

On near approach to the FPSO, a field support vessel will approach the lifting vessel to pickup a messenger line (150m x 72mm) from the bow of the vessel and connect it to the pickup rope messenger of the mooring hawser/ chafe chain (76mm) assembly. The mooring hawser/ chafe chain assembly will be heaved aboard and the chafe chain secured by means of a chain stopper (200t SWL).

Charts and publications

International Chart Series Pacific Ocean - S China Sea Int 508. BA 1059, 1100, 1261, 3986, 8259, 8260. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

In the 4 hours prior to arrival message, the Master has to declare exact arrival time and health situation of crew members and passengers. Must also declare sickness or mortality onboard, if any.

Owner's or charterers should also advise other relevant cargo related information to the vessel's nominated agent before arrival.

Communications

Saigon Radio, callsign "XVS", HF: Tx 6224kHz, 8294kHz.

Vung Tau Radio, callsign "XVR" HF: Tx 6522kHz, Rx 6221kHz.

VHF: Harbour Master and agent (VOSA): Ch 16; 09.

Pilots: Ch 16; 06, 14.

Notice of readiness

The NOR should be tendered when the vessel arrives at the pilot station.

Documents

There are other special forms to be completed that are delivered by the vessel's agent before or upon vessel's arrival at the pilot station.

In the case of a cruise ship, vessel's agent must mail the Entry/Exit cards for passenger completion before arrival.

If stowaways are onboard the Master must inform the Port Authority and vessel's agent 72, 36 and 24 hours prior to arrival with full details.

Health

Pratique cannot be applied for by radio. It is normally applied for after the Quarantine delegation have viewed all the vessel's documents related to health (such as Health Declaration, Vaccination books, Ship Sanitation Control Certificate) and then granted.

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates may be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Officers and crew have to declare their personal effects to Customs as required. This includes foreign exchange, accompanied baggage and goods. The Customs allowances for officers and crew are a max of 1.5 litres of alcohol, a max of 400 cigarettes, 50-100 cigars, a max of 100gm of tobacco. Wine, beer and cigarettes are supplied to crew through local agent.

Penalties for non compliance are based upon individual circumstances.

The bonded store will be sealed while a vessel stays in the port. A release of bonded goods may be permitted at any time subject to Customs approval and presence onboard.

Crew/passengers are not allowed to sell or exchange their personal effects, which are already declared to Customs, with local people. It is strictly prohibited to supply any bonded goods to shore personnel.

The following are prohibited from import/export: Weapons, explosives, drugs, antiques, documents relating to national security, cultural articles which may cause harm to Vietnam morality.

Flags

Vietnam regulations require vessels entering a Vietnamese port to display the Vietnam flag. If the vessel does not possess a Vietnamese flag, the Master can request the local agent to supply it on arrival at the pilot station. Penalty for non compliance is approx US$100-200.

Notices and regulations

All vessels arriving and departing from Vung Tau must comply with regulation 13/CP of Vietnamese Government and Maritime Code.

The main/emergency radio transmitter and direction finder will be sealed when the vessel is in port. No direct communications are therefore possible so all messages must be routed through the vessel's agent.

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: Vietnam Maritime Administration.

Position: Director of Marine Safety Department.

Address: 8 Pham Hung Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tel: +84 4 768 3194.

Fax: +84 4 768 3058.

Mob: +84 90 329 5340.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repairs are available while vessels are at anchorage or at berth.

Dry docks

Dong Xuyen shipyard. Vung Tau shipyard has two drydocks for vessels of less than 3,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Can be supplied at berths or by barge at Vung Tau anchorage, 24 hours notice is required.

Bunkers: Diesel and fuel oils can be supplied.

Stores: Available.

Medical

General Hospital situated in the centre of city and open throughout 24 hours.

Baria Hospital, Phuoc chanh-Ba ria open throughout 24 hours.

Crew change

Crew repatriation is available through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport at Ho Chi Min City, 125km.

Working hours

Mon-Sat 0700-1130hrs, 1330-1700hrs. Overtime can be arranged. All vessels must give prior notice for stevedoring services. Ship's crews open/close or clean the ship's hold but stevedores are available on request to help.

Where it is

Vung Tau Port is situated at the entrance to the estuary made up of the Sai Gon, Thi Vai and Dinh Rivers, on the SE coast of Vietnam.

The port

The commercial port is located 5km E from Vung Tau city on the Dinh River. The principal imports are general cargo, machinery oil drilling chemicals and equipment. Exports include agricultural products and timber logs.

There are the PTSC and Vietsov petro ports with oil and gas facilities near Thang Nhut and Cat Lo, also an FPSO export vessel within the port area.

Traffic

Approx 190,000t of cargo, 300TEU and 500 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Vung Tau?

The pilot boards at Saigon River pilot station, 10°21.8′N 107°02.9′E. Vung Tau has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Vung Tau in?

Local time at Vung Tau is UTC+7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Vung Tau?

The deepest berth listed is at Vung Tau Port: 10.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Vung Tau in?

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Who carries out Port State Control at Vung Tau?

Port State Control at Vung Tau: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Vung Tau?

The UN/LOCODE of Vung Tau is VNVUT.

What crews who called at Vung Tau 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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