HAMBANTOTA HARBOUR AND APPROACHES General information Position and function. Hambantota Internationl Port (06Deg 07.79Min N 81Deg 05.95Min E), formerly known as Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksha Port, lies on the South coast of sri Lanka and is the deepest port in Sri Lanka.The port handles a wide variety of wet and dry cargoes and containers including RO-RO, Container Cargo, Conventional cargo, Dry Bulk Cargo, Breakbulk Cargo, project cargo, Liquid Bulk cargo (LPG,LNG), Petro Chemical, Marine bunker fuel and cruise terminals. The town of Hambantota (06Deg 07.50Min N 81Deg 07.55Min E) lies close NW of Hambantota Point and is the seat of the Assistant Government Agent who is also Master attendant of the port. Topography The coast between hambantota poit (06Deg 07.29Min N 81Deg 07.84Min E) and Illukpitiya point,6 miles NNW of Little Bases Light is sandy and barren with points from 15 to 50m high. The land between and behind the points is low, with occasional hills which usually rise abruptly. In clear weather the mountain district of Sri Lanka can be seen in the background. Sandhill and rocky formations of moderate height lie close behind the coast between Dorava point (06Deg 12.00Min N 81Deg 19.40Min E) and Butawa point, 13 miles NE. The area enclosed by the N boundary of the southern province and the rivers of Menik Ganga (06Deg 21.86Min N 81Deg 31.66Min E) and Kumbukkan Oya, 14 miles NE, is preserved as a game sanctuary. The latter river forms the E boundary of the Southern Province. Port Authority Sri Lanka Ports Authority, PO Box 595, 19 Chaithya Road, Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka. Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd. ,Hambantota Maritime Center, Mirijjawila,Hambantota, Sri Lanka Website: https://www.hipg.lk/ Limiting conditions Controlling depths The Port Authority should be consulted for the latest information and the entrance channel and basin have a maintained depth of 17.0 m. Tidal levels Mean Spring range about 0.6 m; Mean Neap range about 0.1 m. For further information, see ADMIRALTY Tide Tables Volume 3 Local wether W and SW winds prevails from April to November. Caution In January the sea is rough, vessel bound NE should remain well offshore and clear of dangers along the SE coast of Sri Lanka. In March the sea is much calmer. Arrival information Outer anchorages The Hambantota International Port provides the ideal location for anchorage activities as it is a mere 10 nautical miles from the main east west trade route. The anchorage boasts good holding grounds with no obstructions. It is suitable for deep draft vessels and is an ideal anchorage location for long term layups. As it is in close proximity to the port, a gamut of services can be provided in an efficient manner via boats, provision supply, crew changes, fresh water and bunkering without calling inside the port. The Sri Lanka Navy ensures the safety and security at anchorage and therefore it is unparalleled The designated anchorage (06Deg 03.97Min N 81Deg 05.52Min E)has a radius of 1Nm and least depth of about 27m. Pilotage Pilotage services available for all types and sizes of vessels sailing in and out of the Port. In collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, HIP ensures professional pilotage a 24x7x365 basis.Pilot boards in position (06Deg 03.91Min N 81Deg 07.32Min E) about 3 miles SSE of the entrance. For further information, see ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volume 6(4). Harbour General layout Hambantota international harbour built as a second harbor in Sri Lanka able to handle international commerce. Its strategic location puts it close to international shipping lanes. A unique feature of this port is that it was built inland and then was connected to the Indian Ocean The outer harbour is protected by an E/W main breakwater and a short N/S lee breakwater. The inner harbour, accessed between two short spurs, contains the berthing facilities. Local weather Winds.The predominant winds are W and SW from April to November, and E and NE from December to March. Climate.The climate is hot and humid in March and April before the SW monsoon breaks. Directions Principal marks Landmarks: Kataragama (06Deg 24.81Min N 81Deg 20.0Min E)25 miles NE of Hambantota, the summit of a mountain range, pointed as viewed from SW but flat-topped SE or E. Rocky Knob (06Deg 18.87Min N 81Deg 25.40Min E),9 miles SE Kataragama, is a remarkable pillar of rock for part of a rocky ridge. Akasa Chaithya (06Deg 21.79Min N 81Deg 28.45Min E) a prominent mass of bare rock, 4 5 miles NE of Rocky Knob. Great Basses Light (white granite tower, two galleries 20m apart, conical roof, 38m in height)(06Deg 10.96Min N 81Deg 28.88Min E) Mandagala(06Deg 30.86Min N 81Deg 37.20Min E),159m high, the summit of which has a light-coloured rock precipice facing E, the top of which, when seen from SE, appears clear of the summit; Mandala is not easily seen from the vicinity of Great Basses Reef and is sometime obscured by haze. Little Basses Light (white granite tower and cupola, black band, two galleries; 38m in height(06Deg 24.45Min N 81Deg 43.87Min E) Chimney Hill(truncated cone surmounted by a vertical rock, resembling a chimney)(06Deg 38.95Min N 81Deg 29.55Min E).This isolated and prominent hill may be seen outside 4 miles offshore, showing above the low intervening land. Water tower(06Deg 07.09Min N 81Deg 04.54Min E) Radio tower(06Deg 07.20Min N 81Deg 04.88Min E) Water tower(06Deg 07.19Min N 81Deg 04.77Min E) Port control(06Deg 07.00Min N 81Deg 05.59Min E) Communication tower(06Deg 07.23Min N 81Deg 06.49Min E) Water tower(06Deg 07.32Min N 81Deg 07.66Min E) Radio tower(06Deg 07.53Min N 81Deg 07.15Min E) Radio tower(06Deg 07.78Min N 81Deg 07.50Min E) Radio tower(06Deg 07.99Min N 81Deg 07.65Min E) Major lights: Little bases light - as above. Great bases light - as above. Approach channels description The entrance channel has a width of 210m and is dredged to 17m in depth. There is a turning basin with a 600m turning circle and a depth of 17m. The port can handle vessels up to 100,000 dwt. Basins and berths Anchorages The designated anchorage(06Deg 03.97Min N 81Deg 05.52Min E) has a radius of 1Nm and least depth of about 27m. Caution Anchoring prohibited area(06Deg 04.82Min N 81Deg 06.78Min E)has a radius of 800m Basins and berths Alongside berths Small craft berth, length of the berth is 120m and width of berth is 8m. Minimum depth alongside of the pier is 5m from the chart datum. General purpose berth,The pier features two berths, with a total length of 600 m and a width of 40 m. The minimum depth alongside the pier is 17m, measured from the chart datum. Service berth,Length of the berth is 208m and width of berth is 40m. Minimum depth alongside of the pier is 17m, measured from the chart datum. Multipurpose berth,The pier features three berths, with a total length of 838 m and a width of 40 m. Minimum depth alongside of the pier is 17m, measured from the chart datum. Feeder berths,The pier features two berths, with a total length of 460 m and a width of 40 m. Minimum depth alongside of the pier is 17m, measured from the chart datum. Container berth, The pier features three berths, with a total length of 838 m and a width of 40 m. Minimum depth alongside of the pier is 17m, measured from the chart datum. Oil berths, The pier features two berths, The oil berth 1 and 2 consist with a length of 310m,87m respectively and a total width of 40 m. Minimum depth alongside of the berth 1 is 17m and berth 2 is 16m, measured from the chart datum. Port services Repairs Dockyard under constructions. Other facilities Hospital Supplies Fuel and fresh water are available.