'Aqaba (JOAQB)

The Port of Aqaba, which is the only access to the sea for Jordan, is located on a 40km strip of coastline between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The main areas of the port are: The main general cargo port, the Passenger and Container Terminals (approx 3nm S of main port), the New Oil Exporting Jetty (approx 8nm S of main port) and the Fertiliser Industry Terminal (approx 9nm S of main port), close to the Saudi border. The principal exports are phosphates, tar products, cement, fruit. Imports include general cargo, building materials, grain and machinery.

Tropical.

Aqaba lies at the southernmost tip of Jordan on the NE shores of the Gulf of Aqaba.

LOA 370m, draught 24m, beam 50m, 400,000DWT

Approx 14,000,000t of cargo, 800,000TEU, 1,600 vessels and 70,000 passengers handled annually.

Ample anchorage areas are available for the main port at a distance of 500m to 1,000m from shore with a water depth ranging from 18.0 to 55m. More than 25 vessels, medium size and large cargo vessels can wait in these waters. The farthest point of anchorage is not more than 1.8nm from the shore. Aqaba Gulf has a maximum width of 5nm and little weather turbulence, so it is considered safe to load or discharge cargo by means of barges. Lighterage for discharging or loading at anchorage is for consignee's and shipper's respective account. Vessels awaiting discharge can anchor in the deep water anchorage which can accommodate 8 vessels. Anchorages No 1-4 are called the Near Anchorage and are used for vessels discharging cargo into barges. Anchorages No 5-7 known as the Far Anchorage are used for vessels waiting to berth, while Anchorage No 8 is used for small vessels. All anchorages lie in the compulsory pilotage areas. Prohibited anchorages: All vessels must keep 0.6nm distance from the Royal Jetty. Vessels should reduce speed so as not to cause damaging wake to and are prohibited from anchoring in the Marine Peace Park, between 29°27.6'N and 29° 23.8'N for a distance of 250m off the shore. Entry to Anchorage area is prohibited after sunset.

The approach to the port is made from the head of Red Sea, passing through Strait of Tiran and then to the E side of the head of Gulf of Aqaba.

BA 801,12, 159. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

1029-1031.

The zone of compulsory pilotage is that area of Aqaba Bay N of an imaginary line 270° from Al-Breij point. Vessels entering or making any movement within this area must have a pilot onboard, except in emergency. If a vessel changes berth without the approval of the harbour master, the master and vessel are solely responsible for any damage to the vessel or to any of the installations or equipment of the port. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels above 150NT for berthing, unberthing and entering the near and far anchorage areas. Pilotage is obtained from the harbour master through port control. Vessels in harbour requiring a pilot should call the pilot via Aqaba Port Control Radio (VHF Ch 16, working Ch 12) 1 hour before vessel is ready to move. Advance notice of the vessel's requirement of pilotage service should be given to the agent who should advise the harbour master or his representative. It should be noted that vessels may proceed to sea from the anchorage without taking a pilot, but for vessels leaving the berths, pilotage is compulsory. Pilots board for the following areas in positions: ..... General Cargo Berths, Phosphate berths and anchorage 29°29.80'N 034°58.21'E Container Terminal and Ro-Ro Berth 29°27.78'N 034°57.88'E Moshtarak and Moutah Floating Berth 29°28.50'N 034°58.10'E Yarmouk Floating Berth 29°27.11'N 034°57.68'E Jordan Fertiliser Industry Berths and Oil Terminal 29°21.33'N 034°56.64'E Note: Vessels carrying dangerous cargo and radioactive elements should inform the ports corporation of all the details to enable the port to take the necessary precautions and safety measures for unloading. The vessel has to supply the following information to the pilot station when requesting a pilot: ..... 1. Name of vessel 5. Maximum draught 2. Nationality 6. Gross and net tonnages 3. Agent's name 7. Cargo for Aqaba 4. Overall length 8. Any special characteristics of vessel.

The Southern limit of the port is an imaginary line 270° from Al Derrah Point (Saudi Border) approx 16km from the main port.

..... 1. Control Tower Light Fl (3) 10s 17M 2. West Cardinal Mark Fl (9) 15s 7M 3. Southern Beach Light Fl (2) G 10M

..... 1. No night berthing/unberthing. 2. Dirty ballast facilities not available. 3. Slops not accepted. 4. Due to sudden changes in weather vessels may not immobilise their engines without the permission of the Harbour Master.

Range 1.2m at spring tide.

The Vessel Traffic Service extends 11nm from the Jordan/Saudi Arabia border in the S, to the Jordan/Isreal border on the N ocast of the Gulf of Aqaba, including all sea areas to the Jordan/Isreal border and adjacent harbours. The VTS is operated by Aqaba Port Marine Services Company and is compulsory. Initial communication must be through Aqaba Port Control, 6 and 1 hour prior to arrival and vessels will then be transferred to Aqaba VTS. Notice of departure should be sent 2 hours in advance.

The use of tugs is compulsory for all berthing operations in accordance with prevailing rates in the official tariff. There are 7 tugs, 800hp to 3,200hp, usually based in the port.

Masters are warned that during winter months, strong southerly gales can develop within 2 hours followed by a swell. In such a case it may be necessary for small vessels to unberth and proceed to sea and also for vessels in the anchorage to weigh anchor and proceed to sea and remain at sea until the weather moderates.

VHF: Aqaba Port Control: Ch 16, 77. Tel: +962 3 201 5549. Fax: +962 3 201 6110. Pilots (Marine Services & Slipway): Ch 12, 16. Pilots & Tugs: Ch 08, 09. Boat Services: Ch 06. Aqaba VTS: Ch 16, 08, 09, 12. Tel: +962 3 201 9265. Aqaba Container Terminal: Telephone: +962-3-2039999 Facsimile: +962-3-2039133 Aqaba Port Marine Services Company: Telephone: +962-3-2034030 Facsimile: +962-3-2034031

Customs allowances are 20 packets of cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits for each crew member. The vessel's store is locked and sealed by customs while in port.

The following documents are required by the authorities in respect of free pratique: ..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 7 2. Passenger List 7 3. Stores List 2 4. Crew Declaration List 1 5. Vaccination List 1 The following forms to be completed and presented by the agent: 1. Maritime Declaration Form 2 2. Customs Declaration Form 1 3. Vessel's Specification Form 2 4. Pilotage Form 1 The following documents are to be produced for inspection: 1. Log Book (retained by the Port Authorities during the stay of the vessel) 2. Tonnage Certificate (retained as above) 3. Vessel's Registry Certificate (retained as above) 4. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate. The following documents are required by the authorities for cargo: 1. Freighted manifests stating all details (2 copies) 2 Unfreighted manifest stating all details except freight (10 copies) 3. Non-negotiable Bills of Lading (2 set). 4. A separate manifest for Free Zone cargoes, which must be included in the general cargo manifest (9 copies) 5. A separate manifest for cargo in transit for each destination (12 copies) 6. List for reefer containers giving full details of cargoes (2 lists) 7. Heavy Lifts List (2 copies) 8. Master's Stowage Plan and Hatch Lists, must be received at least 48 hours prior to arrival (at least 3 copies) 9. Dangerous Cargo Declaration showing IMO and UN numbers (6 copies); Note: Container vessels should submit both their Bay Plan and the Vessel Cargo Plan 48 hours before arrival. Manifests must be stamped and signed by the agent at the port of loading. Documents must go to the agent's head office in Amman, not to Aqaba. Manifests must show the weight, dimensions and other measurements of the cargo. Weight must be shown in kilograms. Manifests must be received in Aqaba at least 48 hours before the arrival of the vessel or a set must be delivered to the agent by the master. Failure to do so will incur a customs fine and permission to discharge denied.

Tankers bound for the Oil Terminal should advise authorities 15 days prior to their arrival and confirm ETA 5 days before arrival and every day thereafter. Vessels bound for JKI Phosphates Terminal should inform the authorities 7 days prior to their arrival, with confirmation 4 days before arrival and every day thereafter. All vessels should send ETA by Fax: + 962 3 201 6110, 12 hours in advance. The message should be addressed to Aqaba Port Control and Aqaba VTS and contain the following information: ..... 1. Vessel's name and callsign 2. Flag/Home Port 3. LOA 4. Maximum draught (forward and aft) 5. GT/NT/Summer Deadweight (DWT) 6. Last Port of Call/Next Port of Call 7. ETA (Date and time) 8. Propulsion (Single/Twin Screw) 9. Type of Ramp/Length 10. Cargo (Type and tonnage), any hazardous cargo 11. Liner or Charterer 12. Agent's name 13. Year built 14. Dangerous cargo and radioactive elements 15. Displacement Vessels should call Aqaba Port Control on VHF Ch 16 and transfer to VHF Ch 77 to exchange information. Vessels should then call Aqaba VTS at least 2 hours in avance prior to arrival at the pilot boarding station for berthing insturctions. On departure vessels should send ETD 2 hour in advance to Aqaba Port Control together with request for pilot on Ch 12 or 16. Note: Vessels carrying dangerous cargo and radioactive elements should inform the ports corporation of all the details to enable the port to take the necessary precautions and safety measures for unloading. Container vessels should submit both the Bay Plan and the Vessel Cargo Plan not less than 18 hours before arrival.

Jordanian flag must be displayed inside Jordanian waters.

It is prohibited for any vessel calling at Aqaba Port to discharge at a berth if it exceeds the following length and draught: ..... Berth Permitted Draught (m) Length of Vessel (m) No 1 10.8 200 No 2 10.0 180 No 3, 4 12.5 180 No 5 10.5 180 No 6 10.0 180 No 7 8.0 150 No 8, 9 5.8 110 Old Phosphate A 11.0 - New Phosphate B 15.0 220 Mou'ta 15.0 150 Moshterak Berth 12.0 250 Ro-Ro 10.0 180 Containers 14.0 230 Yarmouk 10.0 150 Wood 7.0 120 East Fertiliser Berth 11.0 190 Western Fertiliser Berth 15.0 230 Ro-Ro vessels should have a ramp with at least 35m length. Vessels arriving after 2000hrs are not permitted to enter Jordan territorial waters unless berthing arrangements have been made. Vessels carrying dangerous cargo and radioactive elements should inform the ports corporation of all the relevant details to enable the port to take the necessary precautions and safety measures for their discharge. It has been reported that arriving vessels bound for the general port area, or the container terminal and Ro-Ro berths, that if an alongside berth is not immediately available they should obtain inward clearance at the pilot station. Vessels carrying IMO class 1.1 explosives, ammonium nitrate, radioactive materials, or potassium chloride are prohibited from berthing alongside. The berthing of tankers and vessels carrying dangerous goods is prohibited during the hours of darkness (usually 1800-0600hrs). With the possibility of sudden changes in the weather, vessels may not immobilise their main engines without the permission of the harbour master. Regulations have been introduced prohibiting vessels more than 15 years old, with certain exceptions, from discharging or loading cargo at the port.

Pratique can be applied for on arrival, through port control. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be extended for one month or to next port of call.

Tendered on arrival.

To ocean going oil tankers arriving at Aqaba Oil Terminal: Standard information from ocean going oil tankers arriving at Aqaba Oil Terminal must be sent by telex, fax or letter to the ports corporation at least 15 days before arrival. ..... 1. Date/time of arrival to be confirmed 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 days before arrival. 2. Vessels particulars name/type, date of building, DWT, draught, LOA, breadth. 3. Ballast condition, quantity of ballast, segregated or clean ballast. 4. Slop quantity onboard on arrival. 5. Condition of cargo tanks, crude oil washed, gas free etc. 6. All overboard ballasting, deballasting, lines, condition flushed, cleaned. 7. Equipped with inert gas system, then percentage of oxygen in the cargo tanks on arrival and throughout cargo operations. Port Instructions and Regulations to receiving and serving oil tankers: All oil tankers arriving at Aqaba Oil Terminal should comply and perform with the International Convention 1973 and 1978 (MARPOL) marine pollution protocol and with OCIMF/ICS for vessel to vessel transfer guide (petroleum) for the safety and prevention of pollution at Aqaba Gulf: ..... 1. Oil tankers are requested to have segregated ballast, only such capacity which will allow them to operate safely in ballast condition and for manoeuvring purposes are accepted. Only segregated ballast will be permitted to be discharged into the sea, there are no ballast reception facilities available at Aqaba Oil Terminal. 2. Oil tankers will be allowed to come alongside the storage vessel only if fully inerted. They will be rejected if oxygen percentage is more than 8% and the inerted condition will be maintained throughout mooring and loading/discharging operations. 3. Oil tankers must have the cargo tanks dry, clean and suitable to receive cargo on arrival avoiding any kind of contamination. 4. The crude oil must be loaded by tankers of approximately 200,00DWT as per contract with the ports corporation. 5. Tankers age should not be more than 10 years. 6. Oil tankers will be inspected by the ports authority on arrival coming alongside the storage vessel and they will be rejected if not complying with the requirements mentioned above.