Boma (CDBOA)

Commodities handled alongside the main terminal include timber, bananas, cacao, coffee and palm products. Socimex terminal handles vegetable and palm oils. Vessels also work cargo at the anchorage using ships gear.

Tropical.

Boma is situated on the N bank of the River Congo, approx 75km from the river mouth.

Maximum draught generally 7.2m HW, but depends on season and varies between 6.4m and 8.5m. Port Authority regularly notify applicable draught restrictions. Max LOA 178.50m, breadth 31.50m and 41,370DWT.

Approx 190,000t of cargo, 6,600TEU and 132 vessels handled annually.

There is no bar to cross at the river entrance, the depth in the dredged channel below Boma is 7.9m. Vessels drawing 7.2m can navigate the channels from 2 hours before to 2 hours after HW, no restriction on lesser draught.

BA 604, 657, 658, 3206. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

1005.

Vessels usually let go the starboard anchor and then haul in to the river bank or alongside one of the piers and secure with hawsers. In stream it is necessary to lay out a stern anchor in order to avoid swinging onshore, on account of the sea breeze which blows up the river in the afternoon. Little or no current is felt close in to the river bank during the dry season. Vessels awaiting a berth at the wharf anchor below Ile Sacra Ambaka, opposite Boma, where 3 anchorage berths are available, and the holding ground is good. In the case of a long wait a vessel should lie at 2 anchors, in order to avoid being driven towards the shore when a breeze gets up, which blows up stream. Vessels can discharge here, with their own gear and crews, into lighters, and can be loaded, when necessary, throughout the night.

Pilotage is provided by the Port of Banana and is compulsory for vessels over 500GT. Available during daylight hours only. Pilot boards vessel S of Pointe Francaise (06°01.5'S 012°24.3'E).

Passage of the river is restricted to daylight hours only. The season, state of tide and current speed determines transit draught.

Range 1.8m. Current: The maximum current normally experienced at the quay is 3kts. Little or no current is felt close in to the river bank during the dry season.

Available 1 x 200hp and 1 x 300hp.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

BOMA, CONGO RIVER 5°51.54'S 13°02.78'E UNCTAD LOCODE: CD BOA ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

{ "widget_1_pilotage": { "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "pilots_area_description": null, "pilots_contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "BANANA", "vhf_primary_watch": "16", "vhf_secondary_working": "12;14;20;73;74", "telephones": [], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": "0300-2100" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": null, "when_to_report": null, "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [], "leftover_text_notes": [] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": null, "area_groups": [] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [], "availability_hours": null, "notes": [] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [], "standalone_general_notes": [] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS NOTE: For details see BANANA. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 12 14 20 73 74 HOURS:\t0300-2100 ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

VHF: Pilots: Via Banana Port Radio: Ch 16. Port: Ch 16, 12, 14, 20, 73, 74.

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

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.