Matadi (CDMAT)

It is the Democratic Republic of Congo's principal port and main transit port for the whole country. The port is managed and operated by the Office of National Transport (ONATRA). The port handles containers, break bulk and dry bulk.

Tropical.

Matadi is situated on the S bank of the Congo River adjacent to the Angolan border, approx 140km upstream from the mouth of the river.

LOA 189.94, beam 32.26, draught 10m, 55,809DWT.

Approx 1,700,000t of cargo, 59,000TEUs and 200 vessels are handled at the port annually.

The anchorage at Matadi is not recommended owing to strong currents in midstream and a tendency for vessels to swing about to a strong breeze which blows upriver during the afternoon. Outer anchorages: Between 1-5nm W of Ponta da Monti Seca out of the river current, in depth of about 14.0m. About 1nm W of Ponta Padrao in depths of about 12.0m. The current at this anchorage has been found to set continually W only slackening on the ingoing tide. About 2.2nm WSW of Pointe Francaise in the vicinity of Stella No 2 Lightbuoy, in a depth of about 8.0nm. It should be noted that these depths may vary because of the dangers associated with Bonco Mona Mazea. This anchorage should only be regarded as a temporary anchorage for vessels waiting to embark a pilot. Lightering anchorage: Deep draught tankers can be lightened at anchor between Buoy Nos 12, 14 and 16, close to Banana. Waiting Anchorages: The following anchorages are recognised as waiting anchorages for Matadi either because a berth may not be ready or because there is insufficient daylight remaining to proceed through Chaudron d'Enfer. However, if longer delays are expected it is safer to anchor at Boma. Ikungulu (05°51.973'S 013°24.893'E) on the N side, 1.25nm W of Noqui. This anchorage will take 1 vessel, out of the current in a depth of 17.5m, the holding ground is good. The pilot leaves on anchoring and boards again when the ship is called to Matadi. WSW of the jetty (05°51.4'S 013°26.0'E) at depths 15-18m. The current in this anchorage is reported to be fairly weak. Off Ango-Ango in position 05°50.7'S 013°25.9'E. Although the bottom is sand and the holding is good, the current is very strong necessitating 2 anchors and engines at standby.

The port of Matadi is entered directly from the river. Through Chaudron d'Enfer (Devil's Cauldron) the river is very deep and the currents violent, especially in the rainy season when currents and eddies are at their strongest with rates from 10-13kts. At this time of year vessels over 167m have been found to be very difficult to steer and such vessels could be unmanageable. Vessels berth starboard side alongside, having dropped the port anchor on the approach.

BA 657. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

1000.

Vessels berth starboard side alongside. Berthing is always performed with the aid of the river current. Tugs are not required.

Compulsory for vessels over 500GT. Pilotage is provided by Banana and pilots board S of Pointe Francaise or at No 16 Lightbuoy, pilots are sometimes changed at Boma. Pilot board in position 6°02'34.2"S,12°24'34.2"E (Between Stella Buoy Bo.2 and Pointe Bulabemba) or in the vicinity of Buoy No 16 (6°02'13.8"S, 12°33'34.2"E).

Berthing during daylight hours only. Bridges and overhead cable: A road bridge with a vertical clearance of 52.7m allowing for a maximum rise in the river during the rainy season of 8.0m, spans River Congo from a position close E of Pointe Underhill. A datum mark, which indicates the actual clearance at any time, is situated on the N bank. An overhead telephone cable with a vertical clearance of 40m above high river level, spans the river at Pointe Underhill.

Range 1.82m. In the dry season there is little current close in, but in the wet season it sets strongly at the upper end of Matadi quay, and sometimes vessels experience considerable difficulty in getting alongside. The current is deceptively strong, and sets onto the quay; the current is least felt at the centre berths. Great care is necessary when approaching Kala-Kala Wharf, the downstream berth, where deep water approaches most closely to the quay and the current sets onto the shore. Before vessels approach this berth, a length of chain should be veered on the port anchor, so that the anchor can be let go off the berth to give a good scope of at least 5 shackles.

Two tugs of 600hp available.

Prevailing winds: W'ly. Local weather: Heavy thunderstorms and torrential rains fall in the wet season. Tornadoes are frequent, and land and sea breezes are marked. Rainy season is from mid-October to mid-May.

MATADI, CONGO RIVER 5°49.39'S 13°27.13'E UNCTAD LOCODE: CD MAT For details see: BANANA PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

{ "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": [ "+243 99 9905669" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "For details see BANANA.", "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": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Director", "vhf_primary_watch": null, "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+243 99 9905669" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "standalone_general_notes": [] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS NOTE: For details see BANANA. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: VHF Frequency: Ch 16; 12 14 20 73 74 Port Director Telephone: +243 99 9905669 HOURS:\tH24 ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

Radio: Banana Radio 9PA - Medium wave TX 489kHz, RX 480.5kHz, operates from 0600-1400GMT. VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16; 12, 14, 20, 73, 74. Telephone: 234-99-9905669 (port manager) Banana Radio operates throughout 24 hours, Matadi Radio 0600 to 1400hrs.

Customs officers board vessel on arrival.

..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 5 2. Passenger List 5 3. Stowaway List 5 4. Crew Personal Effects List 5 5. Stores List 5 6. Arms and Ammunition List 5 7. Ports of Call List 5 8. Narcotics List 5 9. Livestock List 5 10. Health Declaration 2 11. Ship Sanitation Control or Exemption Certificate 1 12. Bills of Lading 1 13. Manifests (freighted) 1 14. Manifests (unfreighted) 1 15. Ship's Log Book and Articles 1 The following documents are required for port clearance: 1. Last Port Clearance 1 2. Safety Construction Certificate 1 3. Safety Radio Certificate 1 4. Certificate of Registry 1 5. International Tonnage Certificate 1 6. Load Line Certificate 1 7. Cargo Gear Certificate 1 8. Vaccination Certificate 2 9. Maritime Police Declaration 1

Notify ETA 5 days, 96, 72, 48, 24 and then 12 hours prior to arrival. 1 day prior to arrival vessel should confirm their ETA to the pilot station via Banana Radio.

All vessels must display the new national Congolese flag (April 2006). Vessels visiting for the first time may display the white flag to proceed up the river. The new flag can be ordered through the ship's agent.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

To be tendered as for ETA.