VISAKHAPATNAM Charts 3012, 3002; Plan of Visakhapatnam harbour and Approaches to Visakhapatnam. 2.139 Visakhapatnam(17º 41' ’N, 83º 17'E), is a town with a population of about Ten Lakhs as on 2004 and a port of growing importance. The port lies at the mouth of MeghadriRiver and has many natural advantages. It is the most sheltered harbour; during cyclone vessels have remained in the landlocked harbour with safety. The Outer Harbour can take bulk carriers of 150,000 tons and is under development to handle vessels up to 200,000 tons; the inner harbour has alongside berths, with depths up to 11.8 m and mooring berths. The principal exports are iron and manganese ores, sugar, aluminum food grains and marine products. Chief imports are fertilizers, rock phosphate, sulfur, crude oil and petroleum products, coal, cement, zinc, concentrate and machinery. In 2005-2006 over 55.80 million tons of cargo was handled, of which over 30% consisted of iron ore and 31% consisted of crude oil. 2.140 Arrival Information. The master, owner or agent of the vessel desiring to enter the port is required to make an application to the Deputy Conservator, on the prescribed form, stating the name of the vessel, cargo carried or whether in ballast etc. Telephone :- +91 891 2568879 Fax :- +91 891 2568875 & 2568878 E-Mail :- dhqvsp@sify.com Pratiquemay be requested by radio not more than 12 nor less than 4 hours before arrival. Requests for pilots should be signaled at least 48 hours before arrival. Landmarks 2.141 A conspicuous chapel 67m high, stands near the summit of RossHills, ¾ mile NNW of Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. A Minaret is on the E side of Dargah hill about 2 cables E of the chapel. Dufferin Signal Station building, 88m high and conspicuous, 1¾ miles NNE of Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse, surmounting Sand hill. Collectorate Flagstaff, 52m high, 1.7miles NE of the SignalStationBuilding. Circuit House Flagstaff, 93m, high, 6½ cables NNE of Collectorate Flagstaff. Andhra University Clock Tower, 66m high, about 3 ½ miles NE of Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. A Conspicuous tower, 67 m high standing in approximate position 17º43'.1N, 83º19'.2E. 2.142 Port Limits are defined by the following co-ordinates:- (Datum WGS 84) 17º45'.05N, 83º21'.00E 17º45'.06N, 83º34'.29E 17º33'.36N, 83º24'.49E 17º38'.61N, 83º15'.52E 2.143 Anchorage. Anchorage is prohibited within an area of the port approaches bounded by the following co-ordinates: (Datum WGS 84) 17-41.56N, 083-18.38E 17-41.56N, 083-21.39E 17º40'.23N, 83º21'.39E 17º40'.23N, 83º20'.00E 17º40'.23N, 83º17'.85E 17º40'.23N, 83º17'.38E Clockwise circular limit of restricted area of radious 1.5 mile centered on 17º39'.14N, 83º18'.92E Circular anchorage for petroleum tankers, radius 5 cables are centered on the following positions: 17º36'.06N, 83º23'.51E (petroleum anchorage No.1) 17º35'.29N, 83º25'.09E (petroleum anchorage No.2) 17º37'.06N, 83º19'.29E (for SPM) A circular gas and explosive anchorage radius 2.5 cables is centred on: 17º35'.06N, 83º23'.89E The circular areas for transshipment, radius 1 mile, have been established in the NE approaches to the port centred on the following positions: 17º42'.06N, 83º22'.89E Other vessels should anchor in the roadstead clear of the specific areas previously described. During NE monsoon, vessels at anchor lie to the current, bow NE, regardless of wind and swell. No 1 Signal Station with a flagstaff having an elevation of 26m, stands near the middle of East Breakwater, 1 mile E of Ross Hills. Dufferin signal station (No 2 Signal Station i.e. Port Control) stands at an elevation of 88 m on the W side of Ross hill close E of a flagstaff. Both the signal station and flagstaff are conspicuous. 2.143a SPM buoy (yellow circular) is installed in position 17º39'.14N, 83º18'.92E. A white light Mo(U)10s, with radar reflector is installed on the SPM buoy. Anchoring is prohibited within 1.5nm radius from the position. Signals 2.144 Only one vessel may enter or leave the harbour at a time. A vessel entering displays numeral pendant 4 of the International Code of Signals or displaying 3 white lights in a vertical line during night time. These signals should be displayed only on instructions from the Pilot who will commence movement only after confirming channel clearance from Port Control-2. Automatic Identification System (AIS) has been installed at Port Control-2 Signal Station. No vessel should approach closer than pilot boarding ground without assistance of a pilot. Entrance Channel 2.145 The entrance channel to the outer harbour is 200 m wide and dredged to a depth of 20m. The entrance channel to the inner harbour is dredged to a depth of 11.8m. Seven pairs of leading light-beacons, consisting of pylons, lead through the inner harbour channel; the first pair stand within the S entrance point and in line bear 269¾º; the second pair, painted red and white, stand on the N entrance point and in line bear 280º; the third pair, also painted red and white stand on the S side of the channel and in line bear 263º; the fourth pair painted red and white inline bear 278½º. The sixth pair stand 6 cables W of the S entrance point and in line astern bearing 165½º, leading to the inner turning basin to pass between the red and green lights of breakwaters.. Directions 2.146 When approaching port, vessels should always remain in deep water and avoid crossing bow of an anchored vessel at close distance as at times strong currents are experienced. In any case, vessels should not enter approach channel and approach closer than pilot boarding ground without assistance of pilot to pass between red and green lights of break waters. No. Bearing with True N Description/ Characteristic Coordinates 1 270.76° Outer Channe F 17° 41'.19 N 83° 17'.60 E R 17° 41'.19 N 83° 17'.51 E 2 263.48° Inner Channel F 17° 41'.24 N 83° 17'.04 E R 17° 41'.23 N 83° 16'.96 E 3 278.5° Inner Channel F 17° 41'.34 N 83° 16'.35 E R 17° 41'.35 N 83° 16'.73 E 4 278.58° Turning Basin outer F 17° 41'.35 N 83° 17'.49 E R 17° 41'.36 N 83° 17'.41 E 5 322.16° Turning Basin inner F 17° 41'.16 N 83° 16'.67 E R 17° 41'.70 N 83° 16'.63 E 6 149.5° Northern Western Arm F 17° 41'.22 N 83° 17'.03 E R 17° 41'.18 N 83° 17'.06 E Dolphin’s Nose, although a remarkable headland when approached from along the coast NE or SW, is not readily made out from the high land beyond it when viewed from a distance seaward. VISAKHAPATNAMHARBOUR 2.147 1 Inner Harbour A turning basin, about 2 cables in diameter and dredged to 12.3m lies at the W end of the entrance channel to the inner harbour with three arms extending from it. Western and North-Western arm dredged to 10.7m and Northern arm dredged to 12.1m. Inner Harbour Northern Arm - East Side Quay Berths Berth length(m) Permissible draught (m) East Quay-1 167.64 10.06 East Quay-2 167.64 10.06 East Quay-3 167.64 10.06 East Quay-4 231.00 10.06 East Quay-5 167.64 11.00* East Quay-6 182.90 11.00* East Quay-7 255.00 11.00* East Quay-8 255.00 11.00* East Quay-9 255.00 11.00* * on rising tide of 0.85 mtrs. (Source: ROS J-(209), INS Sandhyak) (04/15) The draft at InnerHarbour is subject to the following tide: On rising tide of 0.61m : 9.75m draft On rising tide of 0.91m : 10.06m draft On rising tide of 1.06m : 10.21m draft 3 Inner Harbour Northern Arm - West Side Quay Berths Berth length(m) Permissible draught (m) West Quay-1 212.00 11.00@ West Quay-2 226.70 11.00@ West Quay-3 201.12 11.00@ West Quay-4 243.00 11.00@ West Quay-5 241.70 11.00@ West Quay-6 205.00 11.00@ RE WQ-1 170.00 08.00 Fertiliser Berth 173.13 10.06 *Oil Refinery Berth-1 183.00 10.06 *Oil Refinery Berth-2 183.00 09.75 * Subject to a max. 225m at one of the two berths. @ on rising of tide 0.85 mtrs. (Source: ROS J-(209), INS Sandhyak) (04/15) 2.148 Outer Harbour. The outer harbour is protected by two breakwaters, South Breakwater and East Breakwater. Lights are exhibited from the NE end of South Breakwater and from South end of East Breakwater. The permissible draft at the ore berth on either side is 16.50 m; these berths can accommodate bulk carriers of up to 150,000 dwt. The berth is served by a conveyor belt, with a capacity of 8000 TPH, from the stock pile nearly 5 km distant. A turning circle dredged to 19.0 m (59 ft) lies between the berths and the entrance channel. A general bulk cargo berth accommodating vessels up to 100,000 dwt and 14.5 m draught (On 0.5 m tide) is situated SW of the Ore Berth. Vessels lighten their load at the General Cargo berth to attain sufficient draught for movement further into the Inner harbour. During the NE monsoon, the berth can be subjected to considerable swell and vessels may have to move else where. A berth for discharging oil is situated close NW of South Breakwater Tankers of up to 280 m long and draught of 17 m (0.5 m tide) can be accepted. A submarine oil pipeline is laid from the berth W to a trestle bridge perpendicular to the coast. There are two tanker berths within the inner harbour, at these berths the maximum acceptable draught is 10.06/9.75 m. Tankers which cannot enter the InnerHarbour can lighten at the outer berth. An LPG berth, with a dredged draught of 16 m alongside and able to accept vessels of up to 230 m LOA, beam 42m and draft 14m subject to the distance fromships center manifold to its stern does not exceed 119 m, has been constructed SW of the outer turning circle. (Source: Visakhapatnam Port Trust) (17/13) Article 2.148, para 5, line 4-5 Delete “ships manifold……….. 117 mtrs” and replace by “”. ships manifold to its stern does not exceed 117m, Outer Harbour Water spread area 200 Hectares Permissible vessel dimensions Length overall 280m (LOA) Draft 17m On 0.5 m tide Beam 48m Round the clock 2.149 Bulk Handling Facilities Iron ore handling. A mechanised iron ore handling facility exists at this port. Annually 15 million tons of fines, pellets grades of iron ore is being handled at this port. The ship loader capacity is 8000 tons per hour. Enough storage of 9 million tonnes exists for stacking iron ore. Two vessels of 1,50,000 DWT can be handled on either side of the ore berth. 2.150 Raw Fertilisers Handling Facilities One specialised berth with mechanised unloading of raw fertilisers exists. Multipurpose berths in the inner harbour are also designed for unloading fertilisers. There is availability of adequate storage area for fertilisers. Pipe line facility also exists for liquid fertilisers at FertiliserWharf. Outer Harbour Berth LOA (Mtrs) Beam (Mtrs) Draft (Mtrs) Ore Berth-1 270.00 48.00 16.50 on rising tide of 0.3m. Ore Berth-2 270.00 48.00 16.50 on rising tide of 0.3 m. Oil Mooring 250.00 48.00 15.00 m General Cargo Berth 356.00 48.00 18.10 m Offshore Tanker Terminal (OSTT) 408.00 48.00 17.00 on rising tide of 0.5 m. LPG 370.92 42.00 14.00 m Container Terminal 451.00 42.00 14.50 m (Source: ROS J-(209), INS Sandhyak) (04/15) Restrictions 2.151 The inner harbour can accept vessel upto 190m LOA, 32.26 m Beam and 9.90 m draught on high tide round the clock. The entry draught can be increased to 10.06 m on a minimum rising tide of 0.91 m; and in similar circumstances, a sailing draught of 10.06 m at 0.91 m rising tide and 10.21 m draught at 1.06 m rising tide. If Vessels LOA between 186 m to 190 m, or if beam exceeds 32m, the vessel is to be handled with two pilots for arrival at night. Ammonia ships shall be berthed during day light hours only and can be sailed during night with two pilots. In the outer harbour, vessels of 75,000dwt and above are being berthed at OB-I/OB-II/GCB and tankers of 1,14,000 dwt are being berthed at OSTT during night time. There is no restriction for sailing from OB-I/OB-II/GCB/OSTT/Daughter vessels at NOM except Mother tankers during night. 2.152 Tidal Streams From about August to November the tidal streams sets NE and from mid December through June it sets SW. Inside the 40m line the stream is much weaker than farther offshore. Close offshore tidal streams may sometimes be experienced. Climate. The climate is sub-tropical and varies from warm to hot, with high humidity throughout the year, Maximum temperature occurs in May while minimum temperature is recorded during December and January, SW winds prevails from March to August and NE from October to December. During day the NW winds are fresh, at night they are light and westerly. Heavy wind squalls with rain occur during October and November. Most of the rainfall occurs between June and November. A considerable swell always exists. 2.153 Pilotage is compulsory for power and ocean going commercial vessels over 100 tons entering, leaving or shifting berth in the harbour. Pilot boards vessel at pilot boarding ground which is about 1.3 nm SE of S Break Water Light. Request for pilot should be sent at least 48 hours before arrival. Pilot vessel can be identified by the word “Pilot” painted on both sides. Vessel should not approach inshore of the anchorage without a pilot because of current and shoaling on the N side of the entrance channel. A Spoil Ground lies centered at position 4 miles ESE of Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. A vessel entering or leaving at night and requiring a pilot displays a white light over red light where it can best be seen by the Port Control. Storm Signals are displayed; the general system is used. Facilities 2.154 The entire quay in the inner harbour is equipped with shore/electric cranes, rail, and road approaches and transit sheds. Mobile equipment like mobile cranes; fork lifts etc; are available for handling cargo. Floating cranes with capacity of 140-ton and 55-ton are available. (Container gantry cranes owned by BOT operator are also available). M/s Hindustan Shipyard is a ship building yard with a dry dock capacity of accommodating vessels of 210 m LOA and beam 32.26m. Ship repair facilities including 2 dry docks are located at the Inner harbour. There is a covered building dock 240m long and 53m wide The ship yard is equipped with 40-ton and 10-ton cranes; the fitting out jetty has a 125 ton fixed crane, two 150 ton cranes and a covered ship-fitting quay with an alongside depth of 10 m also are available. A small dry dock and a slip way located SSE of the turning basin are operated by the Port. There are many Government and Civil Hospitals available with Modern facilities. Lighterage of petroleum from large tanker to lighters and barges is done at the new oil mooring/OSTT/LPG jetty and also in the Vizag roads within port limits. There are 25 electric cranes with capacity from 10 to 20 tons and mobile cranes with capacity 40 tons. All eastern quays in the inner harbour are equipped with electric cranes. Harbour Craft Craft Type Availability in Nos. VPT Fire float (Agni - Class-I) 1 Oil Barge (300 ton capacity) 1 Survey Launch 1 Mooring Launches 4 Floating crane (140 T & 55 T capacity) 2 Pilot Launch 4 Tractor Tug ( Shipping ) 8 General purpose launch 2 Shore Handling Equipment Description Capacity (tons) Availability in Nos. Electric wharf cranes 10 T 11 Electric wharf cranes 15 T 10 Electric wharf cranes 20 T 04 Mobile cranes (4 and 16) 40T 02 Fork lift trucks 03 T 03 Fork Lift Trucks 10 T 01 Fork Lift Trucks 12 T 02 Top Lift Carrier 42 T 1 Locos (General traffic) 1400 HP 12 Locos (O H C) 1430 HP 07 De-Ratting, Exemption certificates are issued. Supplies: Fresh provisions can be supplied in sufficient quantities. Fresh Water is generally supplied by 300 ton. Water barge or by road tankers, except at OR-I/OR-II where shore line is also available. Bunkers is usually supplied by private bunkers barges. 2.155 Communications by sea are regularly maintained with all parts of the world. Regular flights are available to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam is also well connected with the general railway, telephone, telegraph systems and good roads. 2.156 Regulation Visakhapatnam port has very strict environmental regulations, no ballast and bilges may be discharged in the port or in the vicinity. Only one vessel may enter or leave at a time. Sailing vessel of 100 tons or more must be towed by tugs. Vessels beam up to 32.20m can be handled at all stages of tide subject to a maximum draft of 9.14 m. Liquid ammonia ships can be sailed during night with two pilots. Two pilots will be engaged if vessel's beam exceeds 32m and if LOA exceeds 186 m in case of arrivals during night. In respect of every vessel desiring to enter the port, an application shall be made in advance in the form prescribed by the Board to the Deputy Conservator and Traffic Manager, by the Master, Owner or Agent stating the name of the vessel, cargo carried or whether in ballast. 2.157 Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour is separated from OuterHarbour by Groyne No 2 which connects to East Breakwater; it is entered between the N end of East Breakwater and North Breakwater. A light is exhibited at the head of North Breakwater. Several jetties extend NE from Groyne No 2 and there is quayage with a depth of 4.5 m alongside. Leading lights, in line bearing 234½º and situated 2 cables SW of North Breakwater Light, lead into the fishing harbour. A short breakwater extends SW from a position on the shore 3 cables NE of the head of North Breakwater. 2.158 Augmentation of ore handling complex to 18 million tons of iron ore per year is under active consideration. Divers are available for all sort of underwater repairs. Port Authority is exercised by The Chairman VisakhapatnamPort Trust, Visakhapatnam – 530 035. Telephone : +91 891 2875500 Fax : +91 891 2565042 E-mail : dc@vizagport.com