Aktau (KZAAU)

It is the sole ice free port of Kazakhstan and operates throughout 24 hours. Main activity in the port is the reshipment of cargo. Products handled include sawn timber, metal and bulk products, loose cargo and the loading and unloading of oil products. There are 11 berths, 4 of which handle oil products. The sub port of Bautino, operated by Aktau International Sea Commercial Port, lies 130km to the NW, on the Mangyshlak peninsula.

Aktau is situated S of the Mangyshlak peninsula on the E coast of the Caspian Sea.

LOA 160m, beam 25m, draught 5.1m, 13,470DWT.

Approx 12,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Anchorage Area No 125 is located 4nm WSW from Aktua port and is intended for tankers. Anchorage No 126 is 2.5nm to SSW from the port and is intended for dry cargo and fishing vessels.

The port is navigable all year round. Channel depths allow for vessels up to LOA 156m and 6.0m draught to use the inner port, tankers of 7.0m can berth on the breakwater.

BA 4001. Admiralty Pilot NP286(3).

Pilotage is not compulsory.

The level of high tide and low tide is 0.0m. Wave amplitude will vary between 0.5 to 4.0m during a storm.

Two tugs are available, 1 x 2,720hp, 1 x 1,700hp for towing and docking approach operations.

NW'ly wind. The two ports are open year round with a few exceptions for Bautino in Jan-Feb in severe winters.