Banana (CDBNW)

The port is used for handling general cargoes and also oil cargoes, by STS transfer at the anchorage for the refinery. DP World are to develop the port, which will include new deep water facilities.

Tropical

Banana lies on the N bank and almost at the mouth of the of the Congo River (Zaire River).

Harbour: LOA 130m, draught 5.49m. Offshore (STS): LOA 250m, draught 11.58m.

Approx 15,662t of cargo, 436TEU and 69 vessels handled annually.

The recommended anchorage is in the vicinity of No 14 and 16 Lightbuoys, where the lightering of general cargo, containers and oil products takes place. At this anchorage, however the round trip for lighters is considerable and long delays may result. To achieve a speedy turn round, it is preferable that a vessel should anchor as close as possible to the refinery, between No 12 and No 14 Lightbuoys. Vessels should lay out 2 anchors upstream and lie with 7 to 8 shackles of cable on each. This anchorage is normally satisfactory in the dry season, but during the wet season starting in October, the current in the river increases considerably, and vessels frequently drag their anchors. Vessels must therefore be ready to move at short notice and engines must be on immediate standby.

Approach and entry: The port is located in Crique de Banana, which is entered between Pointe Prancaise and the S extremity of Ilot des Pecheurs, 0.5nm E. Directions for entering harbour: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position S of Pointe Francaise, the track leads N, through a channel marked by buoys (lateral), passing (with positions relative to Pointe Francaise): Between No 2A and 3 Buoys (0.5nm SE) marking the entrance bar close E of Banc Stella, then: E of Pointe Francaise, the S tip of Presqu'ile de Banana, and W of Pointe des Pecheurs (0.5nm E) at the S tip of Ilot des Pecheurs, then: W of Pointe Huard (0.8nm NNE), the W extremity of Ile de Rosa. A dangerous wreck lies 0.2nm W of Pointe Huard. Then course is adjusted towards the harbour on the W side of Crique de Banana.

BA 658, Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

The water is brackish.

No mooring buoys are available and it is recommended to use 2 anchors upstream and lie with at least 7 shackles of cable on each.

Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and available during daylight hours only. Request for pilot should be made 24 hours prior to arrival. Pilot boards S of Pointe Francaise (06°01.5'S 012°24.3'E), between Stella No 2 Lightbuoy and Pointe Bulabemba.

There is an oil refinery on the mainland NE of the town. The flare from the refinery is visible from seaward by day and night and may offer a good bearing for vessels approaching the river.

Berthing and unberthing allowed daytime only.

Mean spring range is 1.4m; mean neap range 0.6m. Tidal streams: There is a regular tidal stream in the creek. The ingoing stream having a rate from 0.5-1kt and the outgoing stream from 1.5-2kts in the dry season. Occasionally, during the out-going stream a set towards the W side of the entrance will be experienced in the vicinity of the outer buoys, above which the stream will be found to set in the general direction of the channel. In the river at the anchorage berths there is a strong current of between 4 and 5kts.

Available.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

BANANA 6°02.57'S 12°24.42'E UNCTAD LOCODE: CD BNW ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, available 24 hours. Tel: +243 81 9010409 Port: Ch 16, available office hours only.

..... Document Copies 1. Vessel Particulars 4 2. Crew List 8 3. Passenger List 8 4. Stores List 8 5. Bond Store List 8 6. Crew Declaration 8 7. Vaccination List 8 8. Nil Stowaways 8 9. Medical Store List 8 10. Cargo Manifest 8

Vessel's ETA should be sent 5 days in advance, confirming 24 hours prior to arrival.

Banana area is under military control.