Walvis Bay

1. Walvis Bay pilot boarding place (general) Pilot boards22°50.2′S 014°28.8′E

Size limits

LOA 336.63m, beam 48.2m, 111,614DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range max 1.5m springs, 0.6m neaps.

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

Approach

The entrance channel runs from the Fairway Buoy to the berths and is 6,200m in length, 150m in width with a depth of 14.0m CD, including the turning basin which is 400m.

Dredged channel: There is a spit light and bell buoy close N of Pelican Point, vessels should pass to the N of this buoy.

The Fairway Lightbuoy (safe water, pillar) is moored 3.0nm E of Pelican Point, 0.6nm to the N of the dredged main channel. The leading lights marking the main channel bear 183°. The channel is dredged to 12.8m and is marked by port and starboard hand buoys (IALA Region A).

The channel to the fish factories is dredged to 6.7m and is marked by port and starboard hand buoys. The channel lies to the E of the main channel.

Leading lights, in line bearing 183°, lead through the dredged channel. The front light is exhibited from a warehouse on Hofmeyer Wharf; the rear light from a metal framework tower situated 0.4nm S of the front light.

Two leading lights, in line bearing 246° lead SW to the berths at Hofmeyer Quay.

Fisheries Channel: Is entered between two lightbuoys 2.3nm SSE of Fairway Lightbuoy, extends 0.8nm S to the basin N of the sea wall. The channel, 100m in width, is maintained at a depth of 7.0m and is marked by lightbuoys.

Port limits

The limits of the port in the N is the parallel of 22°51.3'S, mid limits 22°51.05'S 014°26.01'E and S limits 22°57.01'S 014°24.06'E.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Vessel Traffic Control System is operated in the area.

Anchorages

There is good anchorage anywhere in Walvis Bay according to draught. The mud bottom has generally good holding. Deep-water sheltered anchorage is available inside the harbour.

Anchoring is prohibited within 0.7nm of Fairway Lightbuoy.

Anchorage 1 is situated 0.6nm from the port on the N'ly Port Limits boundary, depths of 13.0-19m.

Anchorage 2 is situated 0.4nm from the port on the NE'ly section within Port Limits and well protected, depth 11.0-14.0m.

Safe anchorage for DP 22°52.2'S 014°27.4'E. Depth 24.9m.

Restrictions

Pilotage is not available between 2200hrs and 0600hrs, however pilotage can be made available after hours upon request.

Vessels must have 0.6m UKC at all times while alongside and 1.2m in the dredged channel.

Berths 1-3 have a turning basin depth of 12.8m and the fisheries harbour to 6.0m. Vessels entering or leaving the harbour with draughts in excess of these depths must provide indemnity.

Tankers can only berth and sail between 0600-1930hrs.

Tugs

"Onyati" also has a towing winch with 450m of 37mm steel wire rope.

Mooring

Cargo vessels have priority in the port, affecting berthing times and berth allocation, therefore vessels bunkering in a cargo berth may be requested to another berth.

Vessels sailing must leave the quay not later than 2145hrs. Vessels arriving during the night anchor NW of Fairway Buoy.

Charts and publications

BA 4138, 4137. SAN 1001, tide tables SAN HO-2, radio signals, SAN HO-1, light lists SAN HO-1. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

Communications

Inmarsat communication possible.

VHF: Walvis Bay Port Control & pilot vessel: Ch 16, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14. Tel: 264 64 2082263, Fax: 264 64 2082325. Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 16.

Harbour Master: Tel: +264 64 2082258, Fax: +264 64 2082326.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered on arrival at the pilot station.

Health

Free pratique should be requested 72 hours prior to arrival, free pratique is not granted for vessels entering the port for the first time.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) are issued in the port of Walvis Bay.

It is compulsory that all crew are vaccinated against yellow fever.

Customs and immigration

Customs: A list should be completed and held in readiness for submission to the Customs and Excise Officer who first visits the ship. It must be signed by the Master and every member of the crew, each person must state opposite his signature what quantities of sealable goods he has in his possession, or that he has no goods in his possession.

Immigration: The handling of crew embarking and/or disembarking is carried out by the ship's agent. Information regarding names, passport numbers and nationalities are required at least 48 hours prior to arrival.

Flags

The flag of origin and the country national flag are required, when vessel is within port limits.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Namibia Ports Authority.

Address: PO Box 361, Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Tel: +264 64 208 2204.

Fax: +264 64 208 2333.

Mob: +264 811 270170.

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

Repairs

Workshops are available for mechanical, civil, marine, electrical, vehicle and communication repairs. Divers are available on request to Port Captain.

Dry docks

A Synchrolift with a lifting capacity of 2,000t (80m LOA and 12m beam) is operated by the Port Authority.

Floating Dock: Length 195m, Panamax size vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Shore connections are available to supply fresh water to vessels at all commercial berths and tanker jetty. Can be supplied at any quay at a rate of 15tph per hose up to 4 hoses per vessel. Water shortage and limitations on water supply may be imposed. Fresh water is supplied at inner anchorage by prior arrangement through the Port Captain.

Bunkering: Berths No 1-5, via pipeline and Berths No 6-8 via road tanker.

Bunker fuel transfers in the inner anchorage are subject to prior approval by the Department of Transport (Marine Division), the SHREQ Department (Bunkering Checklist) and the Port Captain and are monitored.

Medical

Hospital, dentists and clinics are located in the town centre.

Crew change

Shore leave is permitted.

Transport

Nearest airport: Rooikop, 15km.

Nearest railway: Walvis Bay is connected to the Transnamib of Namibia network.

Working hours

Mon-Fri -06.00-22.0hrs, Sat 06.00-12.00hrs, Sun and public holidays 08.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00hrs. Overtime is available on request.

Cargo working hours: Mon-Fri 07.00-12.00hrs and 13.00-17.00hrs. Sun and public holidays 08.00-12.00 and 13.00-17.00hrs

Where it is

Walvis Bay is the primary port of Namibia, situated on the central W coast of Namibia, on the SE side of Walvis Bay.

The port

The commercial harbour has a range of terminal facilities that can handle bulk, containers, frozen and dry cargoes. The port is becoming a popular transhipment port for cargoes destined for South Africa via the trans-Kalahari corridor.

The port handles exports of salt, manganese ore, fluorspar, fish, marble/granite and containers. Imports consist of coal, petroleum products, grain, fishmeal, sugar, offshore oil, industry commodities, equipment and containers.

Namport, a new Container Terminal, has now opened at Walvis Bay. Some facilities in the older part of the port are relocating to these new container facilities.

Traffic

Approx 5,500,000t of cargo, 200,000TEU and 2,000 vessels merged with Luderitz being handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Walvis Bay?

The pilot boards at Walvis Bay pilot boarding place (general), 22°50.2′S 014°28.8′E.

What time zone is Walvis Bay in?

Local time at Walvis Bay is UTC+2. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Walvis Bay?

The deepest berth listed is at Container Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Walvis Bay?

1025.

Which load line zone is Walvis Bay in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Walvis Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Walvis Bay is NAWVB.

What crews who called at Walvis Bay 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.

Read and add tips for Walvis Bay →