Chinde (MZINE)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. Rio Chinde is the only entrance to the Rio Zambese in general use. Traffic throughput is very light and is mainly based on exports of sugar and copra with imports of food aid. The port is also used as a transhipment point for sugar and molasses from the Sena sugar factories at Marromeu and Luabo. The main port user is Sena Sugar with estimated traffic of 6,000t annually.

Tropical.

Chinde is located at the mouth of the Rio Chinde approx 120nm NE of Beira.

Outer anchorage: Vessels may anchor to seaward of the landfall buoy in depths from 7.0m to 8.0m approx 4nm SE of Ponta Liberal. The anchorage is not recommended as it is open to S'ly, prevailing winds. Inner anchorage: Good anchorage may be obtained in Rio Chinde, 1.1nm NW of Ponta Liberal, in depths from 4.5-7.5m, good holding. Vessels are recommended to moor. Strong E winds render anchorage close within Ponta Liberal untenable for small craft, but in such conditions they may anchor in the W part of the harbour. Anchor berths are allocated to vessels by the Port Captain. Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of the mooring buoy, which is situated in the inner part of the port on the N side of the harbour.

Numerous sandbanks, the inner parts of which dry from 2.4m to 3.0m, front the entrance to Rio Chinde and extend 2.5nm seaward. There is a bar across the entrance, situated near the outer edge of the drying banks, but the position of the channel and depths across the bar are subject to frequent change. The channel across the bar and then to the inner anchorage NW of Ponta Liberal is marked by buoys and beacons which are moved as necessary to conform to frequent changes to the position of the channel.

BA 2934. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).

1000-1003/1004.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels entering Chinde. Pilots should be arranged in advance through Beira Port, as should lighters.

Praia do Chinde Lighthouse (a white concrete framework tower and dwelling, 11m in height) is exhibited 0.7nm SW of Ponta Liberal. Ponta Inhamiara Light (white square concrete tower and hut, 9m in height) is exhibited on Ponta Inhamiara which lies 4nm NE of Ponta Liberal. A landfall buoy is moored 3.25nm SE of Praia do Chinde Light.

Rio Chinde is tidal throughout its length. The ingoing and outgoing tidal streams turn at approx 1 hour after HW and LW, respectively, at the bar. At springs, the outgoing tidal stream attains a rate of 3.5kts and the in going tidal stream a rate of 2.5kts. During neaps there is occasionally no perceptible ingoing tidal stream and the out going tidal stream attains a rate of only 1-2kts.

The port has 1 tug which is readily available.