Kolkata (INCCU)

Calcutta is the alternative name for Kolkata. Please see entry for Kolkata.

Bay of Bengal Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Dec 1 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Nov 30.

The port is situated on the River Hughli (also spelled Hoonghly River), a tributary of the River Ganges approx 80nm from the Bay of Bengal.

LOA 171.90m, 25m beam, draught 6.8m, 33,540DWT.

Approx 15,000,000t of cargo, 570,000TEU, 1,000 vessels and 4,000 passengers handled annually.

Anchorages (from sea to upstream) at Saugor Roads, Haldia, Kalpi, Diamond Harbour, Roypur, Moyapur, Ulubaria and Garden Reach, of which Rayapur, Ulubaria and Garden Reach are available only for vessels on passage to or from Kolkata, or in emergency. The main holding anchorages are at Sandheads, Saugor Roads and Diamond Harbour, where it is reported that the draught has been improved to 9.2m. Sandheads: When forced to anchor through stress of weather, vessels should anchor S of parallel 21° N in a depth of not less than 27.0m. When anchoring, vessel should stem the tide before letting go an anchor as the tidal stream runs strongly at Sandheads. At night Eastern Channel Light vessel with a single riding light forward acts as a guide. When anchoring, vessels must ensure that the Eastern Channel Light Vessel fairway is not obstructed. While at anchorage vessels are required to maintain round the clock listening watch on MMB Ch 16, 68 and also maintain a normal watch on SSB frequencies.

Approach: When approaching the Sandheads off Hugli River, soundings are a valuable guide. A vessel is advised to keep in depths of not less than 30m until certain of her position. If approaching from SW it should be noted that the tidal stream inclines towards the land with the rising tide and away from it with the falling tide. Towards the close of SW monsoon the wind often hangs from E and the currents sets strongly SW. The coast from Dhamra river to Kolkata is sandy and is covered with a fair coverage of mangroves. Orissa canal runs parallel to the coast all the way till Contai. An off shoot of Orissa canal also joins up Rasulpur River. The prominent towns are Baleshwar and Chandipur. River Hugli has strong currents, difficult channels and sudden alterations of depth on bars. There is a permanent River Survey Service, and charts and latest information are published daily. Small craft navigation presents few difficulties, as the channel is well marked; no naval craft or deep sea vessels can transit the river without a pilot. Vessels proceeding against the tidal streams should ease down or stop if likely to meet other vessels at difficult parts of the river, or on bars where the deep channels are narrow. The usual rule of the road is adhered to in the river and estuary. A prolonged blast of the siren, quickly followed by three short blasts, is an optional signal that the vessel making the signal is obliged to stop, and cannot get out of the way.

BA IN 3006, 4706. Admiralty Pilot NP21, NP286(4).

1000.

Compulsory. Vessels over 200NT are not allowed to navigate without a qualified pilot of the Kolkata Port Trust. The pilotage distance is 126nm. The port maintains a pilot vessel/station at Sagar Roads. The river pilot embarks on inbound vessels at Middleton Point and proceeds up the river. On arrival at Kolkata (Garden Reach), the river pilot is relieved by a harbour pilot who takes the vessel inside the lock at KPD or NSD or the river moorings as required. From the lock, the vessel is guided to the nominated berth by a berthing master. For the outbound passage the process is reversed. All vessels that bound for oil jetties will be taken alongside by the same pilot. Pilot vessels: There are two pilot vessels, one remains at Gasper and the other at Kolkata. Their function is to put pilots onboard inbound ships or to take them off from outbound vessels after pilotage down the River Hugli. ..... Average time from Middleton Point to KDS/HDC: KDS HDC Inward: 7hrs 3hrs Outward: A. For light draught vessel without anchoring en-route 8hrs 4hrs B. For deep draught vessel with three anchorages en-route 22hrs 4hrs Haldia to Kolkata 16hrs

The port of Kolkata extends from Budge Budge Reach, 21nm above Hugli Point (22° 13.0'N 088°04.0'E), to Konnager, 23nm further up river, the limits being marked by boundary pillars.

Sagar Lighthouse (21°39.0'N 088°03.0'E) is situated at Meddleton Point on Sagar Island, 1.5km inshore. It is visible in clear weather from a distance of 18nm. There are three unmanned light vessels and two light vessel buoys. These are as follows, distances shown against each are southward from the Sagar Lighthouse: ..... 1. Upper Gasper: Stationed at the head of Gasper Channel position 21°29.9'N 088° 06.6'E. 2. Gasper Channel Buoy: Position 21°27.0'N 088°07.1'E. 3. Lower Gasper: Stationed in the lower part of Gasper Channel in position 21° 21.9'N 088°09.5'E. 4. Talent Wk Light Vessel Buoy: In position 21°17.0'N 088°11.5'E. 5. Eastern Channel Light Vessel: In position 20°03.0'N 088°11.5'E. Note: Above positions are taken from Indian Everest Spheroid, 1956, for WSG 84 conversion add 2.9" for Latitude and subtract 9" for Longitude. Howrah Bridge, about 15nm above the down river boundary pillar at Budge Budge crosses the river above the railway terminus at Howrah. It is a steel cantilever structure with two towers rising to 91m above water level on each side of the river. Twin red obstruction lights are exhibited from the four towers and from the centre of the bridge (22°35.0'N 088°21.0'E).

Max Draught: The max draughts that can be handled on the River Hugli during spring tides, in normal circumstances, are between 7.7m and 8.6m, but during freshets (Aug and Sep) vessels of 9.5m have also been accommodated. This, however, can only be done by prior arrangement with the harbour master (River). Daily/monthly fresh water draught restrictions are available at www.kolkataporttrust.gov.in. Both inbound and outbound vessels are subject to draught restrictions, depending on their speed, and are, therefore, divided into four categories of 7.5-9kts, 9-10.5kts, 10.5-12kts and over 12kts. Max LOA: Sharp bends in the river restricts LOA 172m at Kolkata and LOA 189m at Budge Budge.

Range 0.6-2.7m. Tidal predictions: Being a river port with numerous sand bars (shoals), advantage is taken of the rise of tide so as to obtain the maximum draught for shipping. Variation in draught occurs between spring and neap tide and forecast of draught for inbound and outbound ships are published from Kolkata by the harbour master (River) about 4-6 weeks in advance. Tidal rates: Ingoing Stream. During the NE monsoon (Oct to Feb) the ingoing stream runs for 5 hours, reaching max rates of from 3.0-3.5kts at springs and from 1.5-2.0kts at neaps. During Mar and Jul, the duration and rate of the ingoing stream are increased, and it runs until 1 hour after HW, reaching a max rate of from 4.0-7.0kts at springs. During periods of high precipitation, from Jul to Oct, the ingoing stream is weak and of short duration and at neaps may be hardly appreciable in the river. Outgoing Stream. During the NE monsoon the outgoing stream runs for 7 hours; at springs it ends soon after LW, but at neaps it may run until a little more than 1 hour after LW. It reaches a maximum rate of from 3-3.5kts at springs and of from 1.5-2kts at neaps. During periods of high precipitation the duration and rate of the outgoing stream are increased and it runs until rather more than 1 hour after LW and has a max rate of 7kts at springs. Both streams set fair up and down Kolkata Reach. During the freshets, anchors are quickly buried in the silt, and it is sometimes necessary to slip the cable, leaving the anchor to be recovered by the Port Trust. Tidal bores: Tidal bores in the Hugli River occur only with greater than average spring tides and usually when freshets have a seaward flow, with increase in water height of up to 1.2m to 1.8m. Extra moorings should be in place to hold vessels during the bore which reaches its maximum at Chinsura and disappears above Naya Serai. The frequency and severity of the bore has been substantially reduced by the construction of the Farakka Barrage.

There is a VTMS in operation through which guidance is provided by Hugli River Pilots. Vessel Reporting Procedure: All vessels approaching Sandheads are to contact Sandhead Pilot on VHF Ch 16/68 off Eastern Channel Light Vessel and await instructions. The pilot station can also be contacted on SSB 4147.4kHz, 8295.4kHz. On receipt of information about the vessel's arrival the pilot station intimates the vessel's entry timings and allocates a position in the convoy. The following information is given to the vessel anchored/waiting at Eastern Channel Light Vessel: ..... 1. Convoy number 2. Number of ships in convoy 3. Name of preceding and succeeding vessel 4. Which side pilot ladder is to be prepared 5. Lower Gasper reporting time 6. Upper Gasper reporting time The average convoy speed to be maintained is 12kts and a minimum separation of 1.5nm form up in their designated position in Convoy before Talent Wreck (21° 17.4'N 088°11.3'E), no overtaking is permitted N of Talent Wreck as the channel is very narrow with sand banks on either side.

Fifteen tugs up to 2,200hp, launches, salvage and fire vessels available.

Prevailing winds: NE and SE monsoon.

KOLKATA 22°33.19'N 88°17.19'E (CALCUTTA) UNCTAD LOCODE: IN CCU For details see: HUGLI RIVER PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Communication channels for port authority and other agencies: Telex: 4209.5kHz and 8416.5kHz. RT: 4147.4kHz, 1650kHz and 8295.4kHz. VHF: Sagar Pilot Station: Ch 16. Callsign "Sandheads" (VWST). Tel: +91 32 1024 0348, Email: portofcalcutta@portofcalcutta.com Shore stations situated on bank of River Hugli: Ch 10-14, 16, 68. Mobile stations: Ch 16-78. Tidal information: Sagar, Gangra: Ch 16. Hugli Point, Moyapur, Akra: Ch 13.

The master is to deliver to the customs boarding party: ..... Documents Copies 1. Stores List 5 2. Crew Personal Effects List 5 3. Crew List 8 4. Certificate of Registry - 5. Load Line Certificate - 6. Safety Radio Certificate - 7. Safety Equipment Certificate - 8. Vessel Profile List - 9. Hazardous Cargo List - 10. Stowage Plan - 11. Terminal Performance Report - Full details of documents required can be found on the port website: www.kolkataporttrust.gov.in under heading of Port Community System.

ETA messages are to be given by master/owners to charterers/shippers or consignees 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival or as per Charter Party. Vessels should send their ETA at Eastern Channel Light Vessel well in advance to the pilot station, stating the following information: ..... 1. Vessel's name, callsign and MMSI 2. Number of working VHF radio onboard 3. If AIS onboard and operational 4. GT and NT 5. FW draught (fore and aft) 6. Speed 7. LOA 8. Cargo onboard (type and quantity)

Port Trust Jurisdiction: On the North: 400m down the River Bhagirathi from the centre line of the Jangipur Barrage and 0.8km up the river Jalangi from its confluence with River Bhagirathi. On the South: The parallel of 20°45'N. The limit of the said river and the channel include all parts of the navigable channels which lie between the meridian of 087°40'E and 088°40'E of River Hooghly and all parts of River Bhagirathi and Hooghly between the northern and southern limits below the highest point reached by ordinary spring rides at any season of the year for tidal portion, and the bed of the river habitually covered by water at any time of the year for the non-tidal portion. Quarantine Regulations: Port health clearance is given by port health officer under mercantile marine department, Kolkata to which declaration is to be given by ship's master to MMD authorities through their local agents. The master of an incoming vessel should report the health condition of his crew to the VTMS on arrival at the Sandheads and act in accordance with instructions given. A vessel arriving at the Sandheads from an infected port, or having plague onboard which one or more cases of plague have taken place within 12 days of the date of arrival, shall display the usual quarantine flag and the signal indicating the port left, until permitted, in writing by the health officer to haul them down. During this period no communication shall be made with the shore or with any other boat or vessel, with the exception of not supplying the pilot and his assistants. In the case of vessels with any case of sickness onboard which the pilot has reason to believe to be plague, he shall inform the health officer at Sagar, and shall not proceed beyond Diamond Harbour without permission. If the pilot has no reason to believe that there is anyone suffering from plague onboard, he shall bring the vessel into the river and anchor until visited by the health officer. Vessels with cases of smallpox, cholera, measles, or other epidemic diseases or of diphtheria or scar Latina, onboard, or if two or more deaths from suspicious causes have occurred during the voyage, are to report the cases to the pilot immediately after he boards the vessel, he will then give instructions regarding the signals to be displayed by the vessel.A vessel that had called at any yellow fever infected port within one month of arrival at Kolkata (Calcutta), even though it may have entered another Indian port during that period, will not be granted free pratique. Health officials will board such a vessel at her berth. Radio pratique may be obtained prior to arrival at the Sandheads in accordance with local instructions. The quarantine station is located at Diamond Harbour.

Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel. Port health clearance is given by port health officer under the Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata, the declaration should be given by ships master to MMD authorities through there local agents. The master of an incoming vessel should report the health condition of his vessel to the VTMS on arrival at the Sandheads and act in accordance with instructions given. A vessel arriving at the Sandheads from an infected port, or having plague onboard which one or more case of plague have taken place within 12 days of the date of arrival, shall display the usual quarantine flag and the signal indicting the port left, until permitted, in writing by the health officer to haul them down. During this period no communication shall be held with the shore or with any other boat or vessel, with the exception of not supplying the pilot and his assistants. In the case of vessels with any case of sickness onboard which the pilot has reason to believe to be plague, he shall inform the health officer at Sagar, and shall not proceed beyond Diamond Harbour without permission. If the pilot has no reason to believe that there is anyone suffering from plague onboard, he shall bring the vessel into the river and anchor until visited by the health officer. Vessels with cases of small pox, cholera, measles, or other epidemic diseases or of diphtheria or scar Latina, onboard, or if two or more deaths from suspicious causes have occurred during the voyage, are to report the cases to the pilot, immediately after he boards the vessel, then he will give instructions regarding the signals to be displayed by the vessel.A vessel that had called at any yellow fever infected port within one month of arrival at Kolkata, even though it may have entered another Indian port during that period, will not be granted free pratique. Health officials will board such a vessel at berth. Radio pratique may be obtained prior to arrival at the Sandheads in accordance with local instructions. The quarantine station is located at Diamond Harbour.

To be tendered as per terms and conditions of Charter Party. Generally, NOR tendered by master on vessel's arrival advising that vessel is ready to load/discharge the nominated cargo.