Shuwaikh (KWSWK)

Shuwaikh port is approached by a channel running between Failakha Island and the mainland. It is the commercial port of Kuwait, with 21 berths, handling the bulk of merchant shipping trade and all types of vessels including liner, tramp, container, bulk carrier, vehicle carrier, barges, fishing trawlers and small passenger vessels.

Tropical.

Shuwaikh port lies on the S shore of Kuwait Bay.

LOA 249.9m, beam 38m, draught 9.7m, 87,375DWT.

Approx 13,000,000t of cargo, 613,000TEU and 1,400 vessels handled annually.

Anchorage is found in position 29°25.7'N 048°00.0'E, depth 13.0m with good holding ground. vessels bound for Shuwaikh port for loading, discharging or bunkering will be permitted to use Shuwaikh port's anchorage, vessels may be directed to anchor in one of the following positions situated within the co-ordinates of Shuwaikh port anchorage: ..... Anchorage A Anchorage area reserved for the national flag fleet (29°26.0'N 047° 56.0'E). Anchorage B Waiting area for vessels which have received berthing instructions (29°26.0'N 047°58.0'E). Anchorage C Anchorage area for vessels with cargo to discharge in Kuwait (29° 26.0'N 048°01.0'E). Anchorage D Anchorage area for vessels calling only for fresh water provisions, crew change, transhipment or for any reason other than discharging cargo (29° 26.0'N 048°05.0'E). Anchorage E Temporary anchorage area for vessels awaiting entry to anchorage (D) (29°25.0'N 048°07.0'E). Vessels waiting at the inner anchorage for berthing are required to keep clear of the entrance to the channel.

The outer and inner entrance channels and basin approach, form the inner approaches to the port. The fairway is approx 150m in width, in the channels, increasing to 380m width through the basin approach and is dredged to a depth of 8.5m LW. It is marked by light beacons (green), lightbuoys and leading lights. Max permissible draught in channel is presently 9.6m at high tide. The channel is presently being dredged and it is hoped a deeper draught will be obtained.

BA 1214, 2847, 2884. Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

The coastguard and the fire department both patrol Kuwait territorial waters.

1025.

Compulsory for all vessels over 400NT proceeding to Mina Ash Shuwaikh; the pilot boards in position 29°25.6'N 047°59.7'E, about 1nm NE of Shuwaikh Channel entrance. Pilot service is available throughout 24 hours.

The port limits comprise all waters in the area confined by a line drawn in the direction 000° from Ras Ajuza (29°23.3'N 048°00.2'E) to the parallel of 29° 30.0'N in a direction 230° to Ras Ashairij (29°23.2'N 047°51.0'E).

Shuwaikh is a tidal port and entry of deep draught vessels is therefore restricted to the period of HW which occurs twice daily. The channel, which starts from what is known as the waiting area or inner anchorage, gives access to and from the port and is dredged and maintained at a depth of approx 9.75m at HW, therefore vessels drawing 9.5m can safely transit the channel at HW. Vessels with draught of over 9.5m are required to lighten at anchorage to the required permissible channel draught.

Range 2.6m (spring), 1.2m (neap). N winds tend to reduce the height of the tides and S winds tend to increase the height.

A Vessel Traffic Service Scheme is in operation for the coordination of shipping bound to, or from, Mina ash Shuaiba; N bound reporting point 29° 02.9'N 048°13.6'E and S bound 29°10.4'N 048°13.3'E.

It is compulsory to use port tugs for berthing and unberthing of vessels over 46m in length. Vessels over 63m have to seek the service of two or more tugs. In such cases, the port controller or the pilot concerned decides the number of tugs required for the vessel.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly. Shuwaikh has a natural harbour safe for navigation in all seasons and remains unaffected by cyclonic weather prevailing in the Persian Gulf. However, the variable climate of Kuwait combined with unpredictable winds, can raise dust or fog at times which reduces visibility and causes a heavy swell at sea. When this occurs it can affect movement of vessels to and from anchorage to berth and also vessels working at anchorage.

MN' ASH SHUWAYKH 29°21.19'N 47°55.84'E UNCTAD LOCODE: KW SWK For details see: AL KUWAYT PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Radio: For long range communication Bahrain Radio is used. The station works throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat communication is possible. VHF: Vessels equipped with VHF should communicate with Kuwait Harbour Control when within range. Kuwait Harbour Control: Ch 12 and 13. Ch 12 and 16 work throughout 24 hours. Shuwaikh Port Control: Ch 16, 11.

The vessels agent arranges the necessary formalities concerning customs and immigration. There is a customs inspection area with the capacity to handle 30 containers at one time.

..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 4 2. Passenger List 2 3. Stowaway List 4 4. Tobacco, Spirit and Personal Effects List 1 5. Stores List 4 6. Arms and Ammunition List 1 7. Health Documents 1 8. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate 1 9. Load Line Certificate 1 10. Tonnage Certificate 1 11. Nationality Certificate 1 12. Safety Equipment Certificate 1 13. Cargo Gear Certificate 1 14. Bill of Lading 1 15. Manifests (freighted and unfreighted). These should clearly indicate weights in tonnes and measurements in mі and each copy should be duly signed and stamped by the loading port agent. There are special forms to be completed which will be supplied by the agent on arrival. 15

Vessels should send the following details to the harbour master 24 hours in advance: ..... 1. Vessel's name 2. ETA at anchorage 3. IMO class number and UN page number of any dangerous cargo 4. Quantity of cargo for Kuwait 5. Whether cargo ready for discharge 6. Whether cargo equipment is in order; specific capacity 7. Draught, fore and aft 8. LOA 9. Crew's general health and whether vaccinated 10. Ports visited in the two weeks before arrival Vessels should maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 16 when approaching Ra's al Ard from seaward. Vessels at anchor awaiting berthing instructions should listen out between 0400-0600hrs, 0800-1100hrs, 1600-1800hrs.

The Kuwait national flag and the pilot flag must be exhibited. Fines for non compliance are KD100-500.

Berthing: Berths are allotted on first come first served basis. However, livestock, Ro-Ro and container vessels are given priority over general cargo vessels.

The following details should be given to the port health: ..... 1. Name of vessel 2. Last port of call 3. Health condition of crew 4. Validity of cholera certificate 5. Request for free pratique Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.

NOR to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party.

The following is a copy of a circular handed by an agency to arriving vessel masters: quote: We would like to bring to your notice the following instructions circulated by Kuwait Port Authority via their various circulars: ..... 1. Summer Winter Shuwaikh Port Sat-Wed 0630-1330hrs 0700-1400hrs 1500-2100hrs 1400-2100hrs Thu 0630-1230hrs 0700-1300hrs Fri overtime 0630-1100hrs 0700-1100hrs if worked 1500-2030hrs 1300-1900hrs 2. After vessel is secured alongside, a fire line has to be lowered forward and aft, one metre above water level for emergency use and rat guards should be put on all ropes and be properly secured. 3. A watchman should be assigned on the gangway and the gangway is to be heaved up at the end of the working day if there are no cargo operations during the night. 4. Officers/crew are not allowed to leave the vessel without permission from immigration authority. 5. Smuggling of alcoholic drinks, narcotics, pornographic material, as well as offering the same to personnel attending the vessel and stevedores working onboard is strictly prohibited. Legal action will be taken against violators. 6. While alongside, vessels are not allowed to increase their draught without written permission from Director Marine Operations Department. 7. Any dangerous cargo onboard, destined for Kuwait. Masters are requested to send cable to Marine Operations Department, including details of cargo, IMO Class, IMO Code, UN Page No and UN No. 8. Any cargo remaining onboard ex previous port(s) for discharging at Kuwait should be informed to the agent prior to vessel's arrival at Kuwaiti ports of discharge to enable them to complete necessary formalities. 9. Chipping, painting, testing or immobilising engines and boilers (causing heavy smoke), washing decks, pumping out water on jetty, photography, throwing garbage and welding or hot repairs, causing fire, is prohibited. 10. While alongside at Shuaiba port, you are not allowed to use your ship's radio, all communications with Harbour Control should be through local agents. 11. While at Shuwaikh port, you are required to contact Kuwait Harbour Control immediately on VHF Ch 16 upon completion of cargo operation giving completion time, sailing draught, next port and time ready for pilot, in order to arrange sailing. unquote