PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Yangon
Pilot
updated Mar 2021Compulsory for all vessels over 500GT within the port limit. Pilotage is provided by Myanmar Port Authority. Vessels bound for Yangon Port should make for Dragon Light vessel and then proceed 17km N toward Lanthaya Light vessel. Pilot vessel lies at anchor 18nm S of Elephant Point, which is approx 45nm from the port of Yangon.
Key data
updated Mar 2024Size limits
LOA 210.7m, beam 36m, draught 10m, 63,993DWT.
Water density
Brackish.
Load line zone
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Tides
The average tidal range is about 5.85m at spring tide and 2.55m at neap tide.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myanmar Integrated Port Limited (MIPL) | 10.00 m | 190 m | 1 |
| Wilmar Myanmar Port Terminal | 10.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Ahlone International Port Terminal | 9.00 m | 180 m | 3 |
| Asia World Port Terminal (AWPT) | 9.00 m | 186 m | 3 |
| Hteedan Port Terminal (HPT) | 9.00 m | 186 m | 2 |
| Myanmar Industrial Port (MIP) | 9.00 m | 180 m | 4 |
| Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT) | 9.00 m | 223 m | 5 |
| Sule Pagoda Wharf (SPW) | 9.00 m | 200 m | 7 |
| Thilawa Multipurpose International Terminal (TMIT) | 9.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| TMT Terminal - Bo Aung Gyaw Wharf (BSW) | 9.00 m | 175 m | 3 |
| Denko Thilawa Oil Storage Tank Terminal | 9.00 m | 176 m | 1 |
| Green Asia Terminal | 9.00 m | 183 m | 1 |
| Hteedan Oil Terminal | 9.00 m | 118 m | 1 |
| Myat Myatta Mon Terminal (MMTM) | 9.00 m | 183 m | 1 |
| Padauk Shwe War Terminal (PSW) | 9.00 m | 183 m | 1 |
All 22 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puma Energy Terminal | 9.00 m | 190 m | 1 |
| APEX Terminal | 8.00 m | 144 m | 1 |
| International Bulk Terminal Thilawa (IBTT) | — | 200 m | 1 |
| Eco Friendly Fuel Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Elite Petrochemical Terminal | — | 183 m | 1 |
| FSU 'CNTIC VPower Energy' | — | — | 1 |
| Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE) | — | 120 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2021Approach
Access to the sea is by a channel 32km between the port and its river mouth. The draught of vessels entering the river is controlled by the depth available at the Outer Bar and entry into the Inner harbour is restricted by the Inner Bar off Monkey Point. The channels in Rangoon River are constantly changing and precise directions cannot be given.
A turning area, 330m wide is located downstream of AWPT Wharf No 2 to facilitate safe and speedy movement of vessels inbound and outbound for AWPT wharves.
Port limits
The limits of the port are:
To the S: Latitude 16°15.5'N.
To the NE: A line drawn across Bagu River between the following approximate positions:
16°46.5'N 96°13.9'E
16°47.2'N 96°13.3'E.
To the NW: A line drawn across Yangon River approximately 3nm upstream from Mower's Point (16°46.1'N 9608.4'E).
To the SW: A line joining two beacons approximately 0.5nm within the entrance of Twante Creek (16°46.0'N 96°07.8'E).
Anchorages
Specific areas of the port are reserved for special anchorages as follows:
Explosive anchorage: Close N of Chokey Point.
Petroleum anchorage: Liffey Reach between 16°41.8'N and 16°44.8'N.
Small vessels anchorage: Includes areas enclosing 16°45.7'N 96°10.5'E, Ahlone Reach area enclosing 16°47.2'N 96°06.9'E, West Bagayar area enclosing 16°47.7'N 96°07.0'E.
River craft: Area enclosing 16°45.4'N 96°11.1'E.
Anchorage is prohibited in areas containing submarine pipelines close within the entrance to Pegu River (16°46.1'N 96°12.9'E) and Pazundaung Creek (16°46.3'N 96°11.7'E).
Restrictions
There are two bars with depths between 7.3 and 9.4m, depending in the time of year (max, Aug to Nov; min, Feb to May). Outer Bar (at the mouth of the river), an 11nm stretch of shoals, is 22nm from the harbour, and the Inner Bar (near Yangon Port at Monkey Point) 3nm. Max LOA is 167m. Navigation along the river is throughout 24 hours. However, entry into the inner harbour is restricted to daylight hours only.
Tugs
Tugs are available.
Charts and publications
BA 823, 833. Admiralty Pilot NP21.
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be sent to the Pilot Station 48 and 24 hours in advance.
Communications
VHF: Pilot: Ch 16.
Health
Pratique will issues after examining crew and passengers.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Marine Administration.
Position: Director General.
Address: PO Box 194, Dawbon Dockyard Road, Ya Mon Nar 2nd Quarter, Dawbon Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: +95 1 556037
Fax: +95 1 556047
Mob: +95 99 921882
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Mar 2017Repairs
Small repairs available. There is a small ship lift N of Chokey Point (16°40.8'N 96°14.3'E). A slipway at Sinmalaik, on Hlaing River NW of Yangon, accepts vessels up to LOA 143m and 1,700DWT. Divers are also available.
Dry docks
There is a drydock with a length of 75m and a width of 15m available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkering is available by barge. Fresh water is available at the quay.
Medical
There is a clinic at the port.
Transport
Nearest airport: Yangon.
Nearest railway: Yangon.
Working hours
Yangon: Cargo handling is normally conducted in two shifts, 0800-1600hrs and 2000-0400hrs. Additional times by negotiation.
Thilawa operates 24 hours a day.
About Yangon
updated Mar 2024Where it is
Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is the principal port of Myanmar and lies at the confluence of the Yangon River, Pazaundaung Creek and Pegu River.
The port
The port handles about 90% of the country's exports and imports. Mainly breakbulk, dry bulk, containers, Ro-Ro, passenger and LPG facilities.
Traffic
Approx 10,000,000t of cargo, 800,000TEU and 1,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Yangon
What are the pilot arrangements at Yangon?
Compulsory for all vessels over 500GT within the port limit.
What time zone is Yangon in?
Local time at Yangon is UTC+6:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Yangon?
The deepest berth listed is at Myanmar Integrated Port Limited (MIPL): 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Yangon?
Brackish.
Which load line zone is Yangon in?
Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.
Who carries out Port State Control at Yangon?
Port State Control at Yangon: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Yangon?
The UN/LOCODE of Yangon is MMRGN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Yangon 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.