Mobile (USMOB)

The port, also known as Alabama State Docks, handles general cargo, containers, Ro-Ro and bulk materials, including coal and grain. Included are McDuffie Island, Pinto Island and the middle bay docks complex of Theodore. Mobile also acts as an important transhipment port for the 10 inland ports located on the navigable rivers operated by Alabama State Docks. This has been made possible by the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway which not only links the Alabama Inland Ports (see separate entry) but also services some 23 states in the heartland of America, terminating at Mobile. Imports: Heavy lift and oversized cargo, containers, coal, aluminium, iron, steel, copper, lumber, wood pulp, plywood, paper, cement, chemicals. Exports: Heavy lift and oversized cargo, containers, coal, lumber, plywood, wood pulp, paper, iron, steel, soybeans, chemicals.

Summer.

Mobile is situated at the head of Mobile Bay in the SW of Alabama, approx 30nm from the Gulf of Mexico.

LOA 336.7m, beam 50.0m, draught 13.5m, 208,745DWT.

Approx 26,800,000t of cargo, 564,000TEU and 1,600 vessels handled annually.

Outer Fairway: Mid position 30°04'N 088°04'W, approx 9.5nm S of Mobile Point Light; depths 20-22.0m. Lower Bay: Mid position 30°14'N 088°01'W, between Mobile Point and Middle Ground; depths 5.5-9.4m; good holding ground, but uncomfortable for small vessels in N'ly winds, due to short heavy seas. Explosives: Mid position 30°14'N 088°01'W, N of Mobile Point; depths 5.5-9.4m; The Captain of the Port's permission is required to use this anchorage, which may also be used by other vessels if not required for explosives purposes.

The main entrance into Mobile Bay from the Gulf of Mexico is through a dredged channel across Mobile Bar between Mobile Point and Dauphin Island, depth 14.3m. The channel then extends to River Mobile, depth 13.7m, including turning circle off container berths and up to the tunnels, then up river to the turning basin at the N end of the port, depth 12.2m. A shallow channel is available to masters with local knowledge under favourable conditions. This is through the Pelican Passage and around Mobile Point from the East Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, depth 3.6m. Directions: From a position at the NNE end of the approach Safety Fairway, the alignment 020.5° of Mobile Point Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for a distance of 2.5nm: Then the track leads N for 4nm passing W of Mobile Point, a low point on which stands a light and clear of the anchorage between Mobile Point and Middle Ground. Then the alignment 350° of Middle Ground Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for 0.7nm, to enter Lower Reach: ..... Front light 30°15'N 088°02'W red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Rear light 550m N of the front light red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Then the alignment 007° of Lower Reach Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for 11nm: ..... Front light 30°26'N 088°00'W green square mark, red stripe, on framework tower, on piles Rear light 1nm N of the front light green square mark, red stripe, on framework tower, on piles Then the track leads N for 0.8nm within the marked channel, with little change of direction, to enter Upper Reach. Then the alignment 174.5°, astern and the reciprocal 354.5°, ahead, of Middle Reach, outer leading lights and Middle Reach Leading Lights, respectively, leads through the centre of the channel for 10.4nm. ..... Astern front light 30°25'N 088°00'W red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Rear light 1nm S of front light red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Ahead front light 30°37'N 088°02'W red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Rear light 0.9nm N of the front light red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower, on piles Then the alignment 181.5°, astern of Upper Reach Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for 3nm, to the entrance to Mobile River and the port of Mobile. The chart and Port Authority should be consulted for the latest controlling depths.

BA 3150, 3851; NOAA 11376. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

The port waterway is fresh water.

Compulsory across the bar. Pilots available from either Mobile Bar Pilots Association or Mobile Inner Harbour Pilots, throughout 24 hours, requests for pilots should be made 48 hours prior to arrival. Pilot boards near Mobile Entrance Lightbuoy (30°07.5'N 088°04.1'W).

PORTS: The port uses the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, which integrates real-time environmental observations, forecasts and other geospatial information. It measures and disseminates observations and predictions of water levels, currents, salinity, and meteorological parameters (e.g., winds, atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) that mariners need to navigate safely.

Night time restrictions: Vessels whose dimensions are 259m x 41m or greater require daylight turning in the harbour. Vessels whose dimensions are 274m x 42.6m or greater require daylight passage from Buoy No 22 to the sea buoy or from the sea buoy to Buoy No 22. One way traffic: The channel shall be limited to one way traffic when a vessel whose beam exceeds 35m transit's the ship channel. Draught: Maximum combined draught of two meeting vessels shall not exceed 26m. Beam: The combined beam of two meeting vessels shall not exceed 68.8m and the maximum draught of one of these vessels shall not exceed 7.6m. Vertical clearance: Cochrane Road Bridge (30°44.0'N 088°02.5'W), with a vertical clearance of 42.7m, crosses the river at the N end of the harbour. An overhead power cable, with a vertical clearance of 49.3m, spans the river close N of Cochrane Bridge. Submarine cables: Submarine cables cross the S end of Mobile Channel (30° 40.0'N 088°02.0'W) and the entrance to Chickasaw Creek (30°44.5'N 088°02.5'W).

Maximum tidal range about 0.5m.

Vessels should not exceed 5kts between the entrance to Arlington channel and the head of Chicksaw Creek.

Crescent Towing and Seabulk Towing Inc. all operate tugs that are available within the area.

Prevailing winds: SSE'ly.

MOBILE, ALABAMA 30°38.59'N 88°01.97'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US MOB ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 36/25 US Coastguard Bulletin 31/25, (RSDRA2025000386790), 36/25

..... Authority VHF Ch Harbour Master & Tugs 16, 65A Pilot Office 16 Pilot Vessel 13, 16, 65A

For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information. Traffic Regulations: Vessels should not exceed a speed of 5kts between the entrance of Arlington Channel and the head of Chickasaw Creek.

US Public Health Service quarantine regulations apply. Officials usually inspect vessels at their berths. No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.