DJIBOUTI General

GENERAL (See Plan) The ‘‘South’’ or ‘‘East’’ Channel: The southern or eastern approach for
vessels entering passes south of Musha and the Maskali Islands after clearing
the Arab Bank. Vessels using this approach must keep at least 1 nautical
GEO-POLITICAL: mile north of the Heron Bank until they reach the transit line described above.
Capital City: Djibouti. The Pinqouin Bank Buoy situated west of the transit line makes a good check
Nationality: (noun) Djiboutian, (adjective) Djiboutian. point.
Population: 506,221. The northern channel is usually used for vessels proceeding in a NNE
direction.
COMMUNICATIONS: The eastern channel is not marked, and is not recommended for vessels
International Direct Dial Code: 253. approaching the port. Approaching from the east of the island of Musha by
Number of Internal Airports: 3. day can be dangerous if visibility is poor.
Major Languages Spoken: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar.
PILOTAGE: Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels with a nett tonnage in
ECONOMY: excess of 300 tons and is available throughout 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Currency: 1 Djibouti Franc (DJF) of 100 Centimes. Pilots board inward bound vessels between Buoy No. 1 and Buoy No. 2.
Main Industries: Construction and agricultural processing. Outward bound vessels normally disembark their Pilot between Buoy
ENVIRONMENT: No. 2 and Buoy No. 4. Pilot boats are painted white and carry the flag ‘‘H’’
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m. by day and the usual lights by night.
Other Maritime Claims: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. An internationally approved pilot ladder on the lee side with manropes, and
Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m. suitably illuminated at night time, must be available.
Coastline Extent: 314 km. Vessels calling for Pilots at departure if unable to contact the Pilot Station
Climate: Desert; torrid, dry. on VHF should sound three long blasts on whistle or siren half an hour prior
Natural Resources: Geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, to sailing, this signal also calls the tug and mooring gang.
marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice and petroleum. ANCHORAGES: Anchorage zone is within following limits:
Natural Hazards: Earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic 1. Eastern limit: a line parallel to and 0.25 miles west of the north
disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods. passage.
Terrain: Coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains. 2. Southern limit: Latitude 11␥ 37' N.
3. Western limit: a bearing with the western extremities of Penguin and
Ambouli Banks in alignment.
DJIBOUTI: 11␥ 36' N 043␥ 08' E (See Plan) It is forbidden to anchor 1.5 cables on each side of the alignment of Ambouli
and d’Ayabele Lights.
PORT LIMITS: Maritime Limits: The reference data for the delimitation Average depth is of 15 – 20 m. Anchor holding is excellent, even with a
of the maritime zone coming under the Port of Djibouti are as follows: strong SW monsoon when there is often a heavy swell.
Point A: Lat. 11␥ 35.70' N, Long. 43␥ 04.35' E It should be noted that anchorages within a quarter of a mile of either side
Point B: Lat. 11␥ 41.00' N, Long. 43␥ 04.35' E of the entry transit line is strictly prohibited.
Point C: Lat. 11␥ 41.00' N, Long. 43␥ 14.00' E PRATIQUE: Generally free pratique by radio can be granted to all ships
Point D: Lat. 11␥ 38.00' N, Long. 43␥ 14.00' E applying through Coast Station Djibouti Radio. Ships must radio in plain or
Point E: Lat. 11␥ 37.39' N, Long. 43␥ 09.00' E international code, a maximum of 12 hours and a minimum of 4 hours prior
DOCUMENTS: Crew List for ship’s Agent. Crew Manifests and Manifests to arrival in port. In all cases, when Pilot boards vessel he gives Master a
of Passengers in Transit or for disembarkation, for whom disembarkation copy of Maritime Health Declaration which must be filled in by Master and
cards are to be completed. Presentation of Health Declaration and verification countersigned by ship’s doctor, if the crew includes one. An examining official
of compulsory immunisations by the health representative. comes on board when vessel arrives to receive the Maritime Health
Pre-Arrival Documentation: The following documents should be Declaration. Cholera and Yellow Fever Certificates required from all travellers
submitted to the Port Authority at least 48 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival. coming from an infected area, excepting children under 6 months of age.
Failure to do so may result in the delay of access to port facilities to any Also see ‘‘Documents’’.
vessel until such time as the required documentation is made available. PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Djibouti Radio (J2A).
Discharging Vessels *: Notice of Arrival: Each vessel’s owner, operator or charterer shall give to
3 Discharging Lists (Container Terminal) the Port Authority 48 hours prior notice and further confirmation by the ship’s
3 Hazardous and Dangerous Cargo Declarations (Container Terminal, Agent 24 hours prior to ETA. The vessel’s Master must also contact the
Statistics Central and Harbour Office) Harbour Office (Bureau des Mouvements) when in VHF radio range.
3 Passenger Manifests (Harbour Office, Immigration and Statistics). VHF: Ships can link up with the Harbour Master’s office by VHF. The Harbour
Loading Vessel *: Master’s traffic unit works on Channel 12 and 16. These links are solely for
3 Bay Plans (Containter Terminal) the exchange of nautical information between the Harbour Master’s office
3 Charging Lists and vessels (confirmation of ETA; ship’s draft; and orders concerning the
3 Hazardous and Dangerous Cargo Declarations (Container Terminal, boarding time of the Pilot and dropping the anchor to wait for Pilot).
Statistics Central and Harbour Office)
3 Passenger Manifests (Harbour Office, Immigration and Statistics). Radio Djibouti: Listening Channel 16, working
* In the absence of any hazardous or dangerous cargo, a ‘‘Nil’’ Declaration Channels 20 and 24 (24 hours).
must be provided. TUGS: In winter (slight easterly monsoon), a single tug is generally sufficient
Manifest Delivery: Five copies of the Import Cargo Manifest to be delivered for manoeuvring. In summer during the Khamsin period, berthing or sailing
to Documentation Office at least 24 hours prior to arrival. If arriving from a often requires two tugs. There is a 1,500 h.p. diesel tug ‘‘Aboubaker Pacha’’;
neighbouring port on a Saturday or the day after a public holiday, the Manifest a 1,800 h.p. tug ‘‘A Rimbaud’’; a 1,400 h.p. diesel tug ‘‘Henri Lambert’’; a
will be accepted less than 24 hours prior to arrival. 2,200 h.p. tug ‘‘Bab-El-Mandeb’’ and one auxiliary 600 h.p. tug. Two tugs
The ship’s Agent should deliver the Export Cargo Manifest no later than equipped with firefighting equipment.
24 hours after the vessel’s departure. Failure to do so may result in a fine BERTHS:
of 20,000 DJF per day thereafter. Quay Length Depth Usage
The Port Authority reserves the right not to operate any vessel for which (No.) (m.) (m.)
the compulsory documents are not transmitted to the Documentation Office 1 180 9.5 Containers
within the deadline. 2 220 12.0 Containers
Derat Certificate: Derat cannot be carried out at Djibouti, but the Port Ro-Ro 220 11.0 Ro-Ro
Health Authority, after inspection, is empowered to extend expired certificates 5 230 7.3
by one month. 6 180 7.8 Ro-Ro
CERTIFICATES: Cargo Handling Gear: Vessels not registered with 7 170 7.8
an approved Society, using their own gear for cargo operations, should deliver 8 202 9.3
to the Authority at least 48 hours prior to arrival, the following information: 9 200 9.0 Under re-construction (dolphins)
Type of cargo handling gear 10 270 11.8 Tanker (dolphins)
Capacity of cargo hear 11 270 12.0 Black and white oils (discharge)
Date of last inspection (quarterly or annually). 12 270 12.0 Black and white products (discharge)
ISPS COMPLIANCE: Port is compliant. 13 210 9.6 Discharge of liquid gas and loading of
molasses in bulk. Cruise ships
MAX. SIZE: Entrance to inner roads dredged to 11 m. depth. 14 290 12.0
Max. Draft: Dry cargo and containers 11.0 m. Bunkering and tankers 15 107 12.0
12.0 m.
RESTRICTIONS: Entry during the day or night. Highest tide 2.90 m. Mean BULK FACILITIES: Molasses can be handled. Flour storage facilities
tide is approximately 1.60 m., and lowest are 0.20 m. Tidal currents are very (private) with capacity of 4,000 tons.
weak in bay and rarely exceed 1 knot. Also see ‘‘Agent’s Report’’.
The port works throughout 24 hours, 365 days a year. CONTAINER FACILITIES:
Bridges: None. Terminal Operator: Manager. Tel: +253 (35) 5694, 3266. Fax: +253 (35)
APPROACHES: Djibouti Bay can be reached from two channels – north 0956. Telex: 5853 DJ.
and east. Only the northern one is marked. Cargo Handling Facilities: 2␺35 ton and 2␺50 ton Paceco gantry cranes,
The Traditional Channel – The ‘‘North’’ Pass: The port, which has 3␺42 ton reach stackers, 6␺40 ton RTGs, 5␺48 ton Hyster forklifts,
easy access by day or night, is normally entered by the North Channel, vessel 4␺12 ton Hyster forklifts, 1␺2 ton Boss forklift, 28␺50 ton tractors and 41 low
after rounding Ras Bir, passing to the northwards of Musha and Maskali trailers (14␺60 tons and 27␺50 tons). 24␺220 volt reefer points.
Islands until the transit towers situated to the westward of the town are PASSENGER FACILITIES: See ‘‘Berths’’.
sighted. The two transit towers, when in line, bear 184␥(T) from seaward.
Both towers exhibit quick flashing lights which at night-time may be easily OTHER FACILITIES: Bulk molasses can be handled in the port.
seen at a distance of 9 miles. In daytime the two towers may be located by Open ground and shedded areas for containers, Ro-Ro traffic and quay
first sighting Mount Direction, a distinctive conical hill to the southward. The for the traffic of lighters.
nearest transit tower is a white rectangular building with a single wide vertical TANKER FACILITIES: Reception lines: Berths No. 12 – 13 specially
black stripe while the further tower is a white rectangular building with two equipped for reception of bunkering products are linked with installations of
broad horizontal stripes. the petroleum companies by a 16 in. dock-line and 12 in. (FO) and another
When on the leading line proceed to Buoy No. 2 on the Heron Bank, where of 12 in. (DO). Pier No. 10 is connected to the installation with a dock-line of
the Pilot will board. Await the Pilot slightly north of Buoy No. 2. 12 in. Rate of discharging can reach from 2,000 – 2,500 t.p.h. Reception of

820 Readers are encouraged to send updates and additions (page xi)
Djibouti DJIBOUTI
white products is assured from Quay No. 13 by an 8 in. line; for gas there is Egypt Luxembourg Turkey
a 4 in. line. Ethiopia Netherlands Yemen
Max. draft for loaded tankers is 12.0 m. France Norway UK
There is no deballasting station. Germany Oman USA
Useful Contact Information: Code +253 Greece Russia
Tel: Fax:
Mobil 353383 355679 TELEPHONES: Available on every berth, international calls on request.
Shell 350334 353721 NEAREST AIRPORT: Ambouli International Airport, 7 km.
Total 351425 354512 BANKS: Indo Suez Mer Rouge, Banque de l’Indochine et de Suez – Mer
Rouge. Tel: +253 353016. Telex: 5829 DJ. Telegrams: ‘‘Indomer Djibouti’’.
CRANES: The port has two mobile cranes of 15 tons and 40 tons capacity, Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie – Mer Rouge BCIMR.
plus a floating crane for the handling of heavy lifts of 80 tons capacity. Tel: +253 350857, 350858, 350859. Telex: 5821 DJ. Telegraphic Address:
Forklifts: 4␺2.5 tons (Toyota). ‘‘Mericomi Djibouti’’.
Also see ‘‘Container Facilities’’. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Tel: +253 352101, 352102. Telex: Ethio
STEVEDORES: 8 companies available, office hours from 0700 hrs. to Bank 5835 DJ.
1730 hrs. Stevedoring throughout 24 hours. SHORE LEAVE: Allowed.
Working Hours: Normal working hours are 0700 – 1200 and 1300 – 1800. REPATRIATION: Good facilities exist.
Overtime can be worked from 1900 – 2400, and if necessary to finish a vessel,
between 0100 – 0600. It should be noted that Friday is the normal day of rest IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Required.
and all work on this day is at overtime rates. GENERAL: Humanitarian Aid: Aid destined to the Republic of Djibouti
Useful Contact Information: Code +253 is exempt from port dues for a 20 day grace period. Over this grace period,
Tel: Fax: the Owner of the cargo shall pay storage charges.
COMAD 351028 350466 Useful Contact Information: Code +253
Delta Maritime 350840 350839 Tel: Fax:
Maritime Transport International 351455 357748 Dry Cargo Port 250178 250182
Trans African Stevedoring 351363 350086 Ships Movement Office 351284
Okar 351929 351951 Security Department 352331, 351975
Societe Djiboutienne de Trafic 352351 351103 Traffic Department 352008 355321
Maritime Immigration Office 350289
Afro Handling 357817 356520 Health and Epidemiology 352331
MTS 353204 354149 Maritime Affairs 353208 351538

Hatches: Normally carried out by stevedores. DEVELOPMENTS: Proposed developments:

MEDICAL: Port Medical Service directed by medical practitioner 1. Storage Sheds No. 1 and 2 to be dismantled.
specialised in industrial medicine is situated in a building neighbouring the 2. Construction of maintenance facilities in the vicinity of the CFS.
port offices. It operates a dispensary. Passengers and sailors in transit are 3. Container yard modifications and extension of the Free Trade Area.
treated by private doctors from town who may visit the ships. Serious cases 4. Extension of the container terminal area.
can be hospitalised in Djibouti’s civil or military hospitals. 5. Rehabilitation of Berth No. 10.
6. Quay No. 1 to be dredged to 12.0 m.
FRESH WATER: Each quay provided with 3 – 5 (200 mm.) water
hydrants. Delivery of 40 cu.m. of water per hour. Regardless of the season, AGENT’S REPORT: June 1997.
there is never any shortage of fresh water. Terminal: PAID.
Length of dock/Length with dolphins: Berth No. 8: 170 m.
FUEL: Available at oil berths and commercial berths (not Berths No. 5 – 6). Berth No. 13: 200 m.
A complete range of different viscosities and products is available. Meets all Berth No. 14: 240 m.
the usual requirement of bunkering vessels. Ample supplies of fuel and diesel Draft restriction alongside: Berth No. 8: 9.5 m.
oil are always available. Normal rate 200 – 300 t.p.h. Berth No. 13: 9.7 m.
Suppliers: Mobil, Shell and Total. Berth No. 14: 12 m. (Channel
STORING: Vessels are bunkered at all the quays, and are supplied with access 10.5 m.)
fresh water (without limitation as to the amount requested), whilst they are Commodities handled: Rice, grain, food aid
carrying out their commercial operations of loading or discharge of cargo. Storage capacity: 6,000 tonnes
REPAIRS: Small repairs available. Designed loading rate/t.p.h.: Vessel grabs required.
SURVEYORS: Agent of the American Bureau of Shipping: Gellatly Lightening may be required to
Hankey. Tel: +352 355668. increase boom access.
Agent of Lloyd’s Register: Gellatly Hankey. Tel: +253 355668. Max. 1,200 tons/grab/day, up to
Insurance Companies: 3 hatches.
L’Union des Assurances de Paris (CMAO). Tel: +253 355470. Potable fresh water available: Yes
Lloyd’s Assurances (Gellatly Hankey). Tel: +253 355668. Formerly known as: Gellatly Hankey
Salvage Association (Gellatly Hankey). Tel: +253 355668. Dock access by vehicle permitted: Yes
Groupement Francaise d’Assurances (MARILL). Tel: +253 351650. Is bunkering permitted alongside?: Yes
Other Information: Discharge Equipment:
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: In emergency Tel: 17 and 18. No shore grabs. Bagging
A detachment of the fire brigade is on permanent duty in the port area. facilities available.
Fire Brigade Tel: +253 350522. Police Tel: +253 370780.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRE: Being formed. AUTHORITY: Port Autonome International de Djibouti, PO Box 2107,
Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti. Tel: +253 352331, 351031.
SECURITY/GANGWAY: Available. FAX: +253 355476. Telex: 5836 DJ. Cables: Dirport Djibouti and Comport
REGULATIONS: Cargo Handling Rights: The Authority reserves the Djibouti. Contact: Luc Deruyver, General Manager (Tel: +253 351031.
right to control and perform the loading, unloading and handling of all cargo Email: port@intnet.dj). Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Commercial Manager
in case of strike, riot, etc. (Tel: +253 357372. Fax: +253 355476. Email: aboubaker.omar@port.dj).
Vacation of Berth: The Authority reserves the right to instruct a vessel to Mohamed Moussa Abar, Harbour Master (Tel: +253 354001.
vacate its allocated berth on completion of discharging or loading. Fax: +253 356187).
Dangerous, Hazardous or Obnoxious Cargo: Articles of a dangerous,
hazardous or obnoxious nature will only be received at the port by advance
arrangement with the Port Authority. The handling of such goods will be
governed by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, published
by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
TIME: GMT plus 3 hours.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day (1 January); Aid Seghir (El Fithir)
and the following day; Labour Day (1 May); Aid El Kebir and the following
day; Muslim New Year (1st Mouharam); National Holiday (27 June); Mouloud
El Nabi; Al yarah wal Mirage.
Dates referring to religious holidays vary every year, particularly where
Muslim holidays are concerned. Loading and discharging operations as well
as bunkering can be carried out during all of above holidays when other
services are also available.
WEATHER/TIDES: Tides: The highest tides reach 2.9 m., the average
tide is around 1.6 m., and the lowest drop to 0.20 m. Tidal currents are very
weak in the bay, only rarely exceeding one knot. They usually move
eastwards during the ebb tide, and westwards during the flood tide.
Winds: From October to the beginning of May moderate easterly winds
dominate. During the SW monsoon, from the middle of June to early
September, there are frequent gales from the west (Khamsin), when the sea
becomes rough or very rough. There is little or no wind in May and September.
Swell: The sea is usually very calm in the outside roadstead, in the anchoring
zone protected in the east by the Heron Bank. In normal weather the swell
does not exceed 1 m. During the Khamsin period, it can reach 2.0 – 2.5 m.
However, there is no undertow inside the port.
CONSULS: (Consuls and Embassies).
Austria Hungary Saudi Arabia
Bangladesh India Somalia
Belgium Iraq Sudan
China Korea (Rep.of) Sweden
Denmark Libya Switzerland

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