Yanbu Commercial Port

Size limits

LOA 315.83m, beam 43m, draught 11.1m, 98,730DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.8m max.

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

Approach

Approach channels lead towards Shi'b ash-Sharm Light (24°03'N 037°51'E) from positions 54nm W and 46nm SSW of the light through the Mile-Long entry channel. The channels are 3nm in width, narrowing to approx 1.5nm at their junction. It is obligatory for all vessels to keep within the limits of these channels and the Traffic Separation Scheme. Other vessels are cautioned that, outside these limits, the approaches to Yanbu are largely unsurveyed.

Caution: When making an approach to Yanbu care should be taken not to mistake the lights of the cement works and silo situated about 2nm E of Ra's Baridi (24°16'N 037°31'E) for those in the town of Yanbu.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Traffic Separation Scheme which is not IMO adopted, leads from a position 6nm W of Shi'b ash-Sharm Light to Yanbu approx 20nm distance. Vessels not cleared to enter Commercial or Industrial ports of Yanbu must remain outside territorial waters. Masters proceeding outside of approach channels or TSS, in order to save time, are liable to fines.

The scheme passes: SE of West Reef Lightbuoy (24°05'N 037°45'E) and East Reef Lightbuoy, 2.25nm ENE, marking the S and SE extremities of the bank, respectively, extending SE from the W entrance point of Sharm al Kaur, then:

N of Shi'b ash-Sharm Lightbuoy, moored off the N end of Schermo Reef, then;

NE of Shi'b al-Qasriyyah No 1Q and No 3Q Lightbuoys, moored on the N side of Shi'b al-Qasriyyah, then, if proceeding to Yanbu, passes:

NW of Umm al Nukuth, tow rocks which cover and uncover, 2.5nm S of the harbour entrance, which are marked by Umm al Nukuth Light Beacon (isolated danger) standing on the S rock and by Umm al Nukuth No 1 and Umm al Nukuth No 2Q Lightbuoys, moored respectively, at the N and S extremities of the shoal on which the rocks lie, then as necessary to enter Yanbu.

Buoyage: The local direction of buoyage is from N to S and reverses in the vicinity of CZS reporting position (23°52.0'N 038°16.8'E).

Anchorages

Safe anchorage cannot be obtained off Yanbu, due to the considerable depths, strong NW winds and heavy swell. Vessels which are permitted to anchor temporarily close to Yanbu port should keep their main engines at short notice.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs of 800hp-1,310hp available. Tugs will usually meet an incoming vessel at the NE end of the entrance channel, off No 8 Lightbuoy (24°04.4'N 038°03.5'E).

Tugs are compulsory for all vessel manoeuvres in the port except when shifting along the quay or berth. Port control must be informed before initiating the latter move to ensure that safety will not be compromised. The number of tugs used in berthing and unberthing operations is decided by the pilot and is based on general usage.

Mooring

Only the special equipment installed at the berths, such as bollards or rings may be used for mooring. Mooring men are compulsory for the handling of mooring lines. The knots of the heaving lines should not be loaded in such a manner as may cause injury to the mooring men or third party.

Charts and publications

Saudi Port Authority Chart 17, 171. BA 63, 158, 326, 327, 328. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16; 09, 12, 14, call "Yanbu Port Control".

Pilots: Ch 16.

Flags

Every vessel entering the port must hoist the flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and keep it flying throughout the stay in the port.

Notices and regulations

The Ports Authority, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, advise that ships proceeding outside the approach channels or contravening the rules of the Traffic Separation Scheme in order to save time, will be fined and their masters held individually responsible.

Port Regulations: All vessels arriving at the port must have a copy of the Rules and Regulations which should be strictly adhered to. Any violation of these regulations will incur fines.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Interior / Coast Guard.

Position: Head of Port Security Department.

Address: Coast Guard HQ, Riyadh, 11135, Saudi Arabia.

Tel: +966 4020 222

Fax: +966 1 402 0274

Mob: +966 0505 910400

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

Repairs

Minor repairs can be undertaken.

Dry docks

Mechanical lift dock 3,396t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by barge or road tanker.

Stores: Frozen provisions available.

Medical

Safa Yanbu Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Yanbu Airport (Prince Abdul Mohsin Bin Abdulaziz Airport) located at Yanbu, 14.4km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Yanbu Commercial Port is situated approx 360km N of Jeddah on the Red Sea.

The port

It is the second largest port on the W coast of Saudi Arabia. The port which handles general cargo, bulk cargo, containers, Ro-Ro and passenger vessels, is protected by land to the N and E, and by coral reefs to the S and SW. The approach channel is 1.8km in length with a least depth of 14.0m. Vessels bound for King Fahd Industrial Port (Yanbu), to the S, also use the approaches. There is no safe anchorage outside the port and poor visibility due to dust in the atmosphere is a common occurrence.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo, 20TEU, 180 vessels and 10,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Yanbu Commercial Port in?

Local time at Yanbu Commercial Port is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Yanbu Commercial Port?

The deepest berth listed is at Yanbu Commercial Port Terminal: 11.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Yanbu Commercial Port?

1025.

Which load line zone is Yanbu Commercial Port in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Yanbu Commercial Port?

The UN/LOCODE of Yanbu Commercial Port is SAYNB.

What crews who called at Yanbu Commercial 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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