GUINEA-BISSAU
GENERAL (See Plan)
GEO-POLITICAL:
Capital City: Bissau.
Nationality: (noun) Guinean, (adjective) Guinean.
Population: 1,442,029.
COMMUNICATIONS:
International Direct Dial Code: 245.
Number of Internal Airports: 3.
Major Languages Spoken: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African
languages.
ECONOMY:
Currency: 1 CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) of 100 Centimes.
Exchange: (as of November 2007)
US$ 1.00 ␦ XOF 441.63
Exchange rates under licence from XE.com
Main Industries: Agricultural products processing, beer and soft drinks.
ENVIRONMENT:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 350 km.
Climate: Tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season
(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to
May) with northeasterly harmattan winds.
Natural Resources: Fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite,
limestone and unexploited deposits of petroleum.
Natural Hazards: Hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility
during dry season; brush fires.
Terrain: Mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east.
BISSAU: 11␥ 51' N 15␥ 34' W
OVERVIEW: Sheltered port with strong currents. Handles general cargo,
containers, fishing and coastal vessels and tankers.
LOCATION: In the Bay of Bissau on west coast of Guinea Bissau,
protected by Ilheu do Rei, Ilha dos Passaros, Ponta Cumere and Sacor.
CHARTS: BA Chart No. 1724.
DOCUMENTS:
Cargo List (inside sealed envelope)
Cargo Manifest
Clearance from the Last Port of Call
Crew Effects List
List of Cargo (to disembark in Bissau, Baldeade (Bolama) or otherwise
in transit to be disembarked in another port)
Passenger Effects List
Passenger List (passengers on board, either in transit or disembarking
in Bissau)
Provisions List.
ISPS COMPLIANCE: Not yet compliant.
MAX. SIZE: Depth 10.0 m.
Tankers: 20,000 d.w.t., depth 11.0 m.
APPROACHES: The seabed of the approach channel, port zone and
berthing points is mainly of mud and sands which makes access safely
possible throughout the year in spite of the tide. The navigation aids (light
and buoys) are out of order, and the Geba Channel is in need of dredging.
Also see ‘‘Shipmaster’s Report’’ dated September 2001.
PILOTAGE: Compulsory. Vessel takes Pilot at pilot station at Caio Island,
approximately 50 nautical miles from port. To call the Pilot, send request via
ship’s Agent to the port’s maritime service, 24 hours prior to arrival with ETA
at Caio.
Pilot boat available.
Also see ‘‘Shipmaster’s Report’’ dated September 2001.
ANCHORAGES: Between Bissau and the Ilheu do Rei.
Also see ‘‘Shipmaster’s Report’’ dated September 2001.
PRATIQUE: Visit of port doctor compulsory if ship has no doctor, or if
permission for exemption has not been requested; permission can be
requested by radio. When needed, the health services in Bissau can be used
by passengers or crew members. Yellow fever vaccinations required.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Station call sign ‘‘CQF’’.
VHF: Port works on Channel 16.
TUGS: None.
BERTHS: There are three terminals at the port.
Commercial Quay: Fishing berth in shape of a T-head jetty, length 140 m.,
width 25.0 m. with depth 5.0 m. on outer face and 4.0 m. on inner face.
Approximate daily loading and discharging rate is 500 tons, depending on
the type of cargo being worked. More than one cargo can be worked at a
time.
New Quay: Length 270 m. and width 27.0 m. with depth 9.0 m. on the outer
face; 10.0 m. on the inner face.
Approximate daily loading and discharging rate is 750 tons, depending on
the type of cargo being worked.
Pindjigutti Wharf: Dedicated berth for coastal and local traffic. Length
132 m., width 9.0 m., depth 0.2 m. with 3.8 m. range.
CONTAINER FACILITIES: There is no specific terminal dedicated to
container handling.
Also see ‘‘Cargo Handling Facilities’’.
TANKER FACILITIES: Dicol Wharf Oil Terminal: T-head jetty,
length 140 m., depth alongside 11.0 m., situated 2.5 km. from port. Max. size
of vessel 20,000 tons. Pipelines for pumping fuel. Storage available.
Petroleum products are discharged at the terminal. Cargoes handled
include petroleum, gasoline, gas oil and butane gas.
Also see ‘‘Berths’’.
CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES: No heavy-lift cranes; 1␺35 ton
mobile crane; 3 toploaders for containers of 20 ft. and 40 ft.; one toploader
for containers of 20 ft.; tractors; trucks.
Storage Area:
1120
General
Open storage yards 50,000 sq.m.
Parks 30,000 sq.m.
Warehouses 60,000 sq.m.
Open storage yards under Customs control 20,000 sq.m.
Industrial zone 1,500 hectares
STEVEDORES: 1,200 stevedores available.
Working Hours: 0800 – 1430.
Overtime 1800 – 2330 and 2330 – 0730 at double rates.
CARGO GEAR: Ship’s gear to be used.
FRESH WATER: Available at the Commercial Quay, pumping rate
10 t.p.h.
FUEL: Diesel available, pumping rate 6 t.p.h.
CHANDLERY: Not available.
REPAIRS: Small repair work can be done on machinery or ship’s hull by
GMSN Sarl Co.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: Police. Tel: +245 213957. Fire.
Tel: 118.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS: No fire protection available.
TIME: GMT all year round.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Days; 20 and 23 January (Days of
National Heroes); 8 March (International Woman’s Day); Easter Sunday; All
Saints; 1 May (Worker’s Day); 24 September (Independence Day);
25 December (Christmas Day)*; Days of Ramadan and Tabasky.
* Offices are not open at all or in afternoon, but it does not affect loading
and unloading operations.
WEATHER/TIDES: Climate: Tropical humid with two seasons: the dry
season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October.
Tidal Range: 4.0 – 5.0 m.
CONSULS: Algeria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, France, Germany,
Democratic Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Netherlands, Nigeria,
Portugal, Russia, Sweden and USA.
TELEPHONES: Line connection land-ship, if requested apply to the Post
Office authorities.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Bissau Oswaldo Vieira International Airport,
7 km.
GENERAL: A joint venture between the Government of Guinea-Bissau
and Tertir – Terminals of Portugal SA led to the establishment of Guiport
Operacao Portuaria Sarl, with exclusive rights to manage and operate the
port of Bissau.
DEVELOPMENTS: Building of container terminal in vicinity of unitised
cargo warehouse; extension of existing container terminal; computerisation
of port services; upgrade of security; improvements to internal roads,
renovation of commercial berth, improvements to buoys and lighthouses;
improvement and commissioning of new cargo handling equipment.
SHIPMASTER’S REPORT: December 1988.
Vessel proceeded from Las Palmas to Bissau. Speed 13 knots. Draft 5.8 m.
Report on the River Entrance to Bissau: Steer true course 177␥ until
vessel crosses the 100 fathom line at position Lat. 12␥ 26' N, Long. 17␥ 30' W.
From this point steer course 148␥(T) until the vessel again crosses the
100 fathom line at position Lat. 12␥ 11' N, Long. 17␥ 20' W. From this position
steer course 124␥(T) to Buoy Geba-A (Fairway Buoy).
From position Lat. 12␥ 11' N, Long. 17␥ 20' W, vessel’s position was
ascertained by radar, using Cabo Roxo which was visible on the radar up to
40 nautical miles; the Baixos do Rio Grande light, which was visible on radar
up to 30 nautical miles; Ilha da Jeta which was visible up to 30 miles and
the Buoy Geba-A (Fairway Buoy) which was visible on radar at 12 miles.
On reaching the Fairway Buoy, vessel alters course towards the Pilot
Station at Caio Island. The minimum depth by echo sounder under the keel
was 4.5 m. Strong currents of up to 5.5 knots were experienced.
The Pilot Station at Caio Island has no means of communication with either
the vessel or the Port of Bissau. River Pilots are therefore never advised of
vessel’s arrival in advance.
When the vessel arrives at the Pilot Station, the vessel’s lifeboat/rescue
boat, is to be used to pick up the pilot as the pilot boat has frequent engine
breakdowns. The approach to Caio Island is very dangerous due to many
breakers, wrecks and strong currents.
The River Pilot only speaks ‘‘Crioulo’’ (Creole), which is a local dialect,
and a very few words of Portuguese. He is therefore unable to give proper
orders to the helmsmen.
All navigation in the Canal do Geba has to be done by the ship’s Master.
The pilot does not assist in any way.
Entry and departure from Bissau is dangerous, especially at night, as the
East Cardinal buoy off Banco do Meio is missing and most other buoys are
unlit.
On arrival, vessels anchor at Bissau Inner Roads, which are 4 cables NE
of the jetty, and await the harbour pilot.
The harbour pilot was able to communicate in English but was unable to
show on the chart where the vessel was to berth.
Berthing/unberthing is preferred on the flood tide.
Vessel anchored in the roads at 1930 hrs. and berthed alongside at
2300 hrs.
All jetties are unlit, so vessel had to use Suez Canal searchlight when
approaching the berth.
Minimum depth under the keel when approaching the berth was 2.0 m.
Currents alongside the berth are up to 3.5 knots and range of tide up to
5.0 m.
The vessel has to provide a cabin for the River Pilot as he stays on board
the vessel during the whole time alongside.
When vessel was due to leave, the Harbour Pilot was standing-by on
another vessel so we left port without a Harbour Pilot. On approaching Caio
Island we again had to use our lifeboat/rescue boat to land the River Pilot.
Pilotage: Compulsory. Request for pilot to be made to the vessel’s local agent.
The Pilot Station is located at Ilheu do Caio which is about 50 nautical miles
west of Bissau.
Anchorage: The Canal do Geba has good holding ground and plenty of room.
Restrictions: Night navigation is not recommended as most of the lights are
either missing or unlit.
Tugs: None available.
Readers are encouraged to send updates and additions (page xi)
Bissau GUINEA-BISSAU
Berthing: The old cargo jetty is 131 m. in length and has a minimum depth Tidal Conditions: There is approximately 4.57 m. difference in height
alongside of 6.3 m. between LW and HW. Our vessel sat on the bottom for much of the LW
The new cargo jetty, which is soon to be operational, has a length of period.
approximately 280 m. Delays: Stevedores very slow in arriving for start of morning work.
Cargo Handling Facilities: Ship’s cranes or derricks are to be used. One Developments: None in progress.
forklift of low capacity available. General cargo can be loaded on to the quay
but all containers must be loaded direct on to trucks. SHIPMASTER’S REPORT: September 2001.
Stevedores: The working hours are from 0800 – 2300 hrs. Night work is Vessel: General cargo, 12,000 d.w.t.
possible, but pilferage increases considerably during night time. Approaches: When transiting the approach channel, we observed no
Repairs: Not possible. navigational buoys between the Fairway Buoy ‘‘Geba A’’ and the port
Agent: Messrs. Guinemar SA, Rua Guerra Mendes 4/4a, Bissau. entrance.
Tel: 213022/3. Telex: 0969-276. Pilotage: Not compulsory. Vessels requiring a Pilot should contact the ship’s
Note: Only the agent has VHF in Bissau (range up to 30 nautical miles). Agent prior to arrival. We piloted our vessel into the port and to the berth,
SHIPMASTER’S REPORT: September 1994. only using minimal services of the Berthing Pilot.
Pilotage: Pilot has to be arranged by Agent. On departure, vessels often sail without the use of a Pilot.
The pilot station on Caio Island has no means of communication with Anchorages: Our vessel was advised by the ship’s Agent to anchor
vessel. No pilot boat available. 1.5 nautical miles SE of the new jetty.
Vessel’s lifeboat has to be used to pick up Pilot on east side of Caio Island. The depths in designated Anchorages No. 3 – 7 were observed to be less
Great care has to be taken due to many breakers and strong current. It is than predicted.
not recommended to try it in bad weather. Berthing: There is a new jetty in service that is lit at night.
Pilot speaks no English. Repairs: Minor repairs possible.
All navigation has to be done by ship’s Master. AUTHORITY: Port Administration of Guinea-Bissau (APGB),
Radio/VHF: Bissau Radio only equipped with VHF Channel 16. PO Box 693, Av 3 de Agosto, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Tel: +245 204110.
Tugs: No tugs available. FAX: +245) 204114. Cables: Porto, Bissau. Contact: Cmte Pedro Tipote,
Berthing: New cargo pier (length 290 m.) completed and in use. Managing Director. Harbour Master (Tel: +245 201984).
Holidays: 3 August is also a national holiday.
Telephones: No ship-to-shore telephone available.
SHIPMASTER’S REPORT: March 2000.
Vessel: Breakbulk carrier, LOA 171 m., breadth 25.0 m., draft 9.5 m.
Location: The port is located in position Lat. 11␥ 51' N, Long. 15␥ 34' E.
Documents: Our vessel was cleared at approximately 0900 hrs. Immigration
authorities take all passports ashore until the day of the vessel’s departure.
The following documents were required:
6 Animal List
6 Bonded Stores List
6 Cargo Manifest
Clearance from last Port of Call
6 Crew Effects Declaration
3 Crew List
Entrance Declaration
6 Mail List
6 Maritime Declaration of Health
6 Narcotics List
6 Passenger List
6 Ports of Call List
6 Stowaways Plan
6 Vaccination List.
Pilotage: Vessel arrived off the river entrance at 1300 hrs. and proceeded
up-river to Bissau. Our vessel did not take up the option of a River Pilot due
to previous information provided to us. The vessel’s Master and 2nd Officer
navigated the vessel up-river using terrestrial methods complemented by
satellite fixes every 6 minutes. There are numerous mud/sand banks along
the entire river passage to Bissau, and so great care must be taken not to
stray from the designated course if the vessel has a reasonable draft.
The vessel was informed by the Pilot that the berth and anchorage were
both clear, but when we arrived, the berth was occupied by two ships and
the anchorage obstructed by three fishing boats.
When the vessel was eventually cleared to berth 3 days later, the Docking
Pilot boarded at 2200 hrs. We then proceded to the berth. The Pilot spoke
no English and was not very efficient.
Unberthing was completed without assistance of Pilot.
Also see ‘‘Berthing’’.
Anchorages: The main anchorage is between Bissau and the Ilhe do Rei,
but vessels may also anchor beyond the islands. The anchorage is small
and holding ground is minimal. Vessel anchored at 1930 hrs. in position
Lat. 11␥ 49.67' N., Long. 15␥ 33.95' W., with Ilhe do Rei bearing 002␥ ␺
1.3 nautical miles and Ilhe do Passaros bearing 260␥ ␺ 1.43 nautical miles.
Vessel dragged 3 cables on ebb and 2 cables on the flood tide.
Also see ‘‘Pilotage’’.
Max. Size: Vessel’s draft 9.5 m.
Health: Port doctor visits the ship upon arrival at the berth. Yellow fever
vaccinations are required.
Tugs: None available.
Berthing: Our vessel had trouble manoeuvring into the berth due to position
of fishing boats at the anchorage. Vessel all fast alongside at 0200 hrs. Some
delay was also due to waiting for the departure of a container vessel, so that
our vessel would not be over-hanging the end of the quay.
Night berthing is not recommended, but the operation was carried out to
avoid an incoming liner containership taking our berth. The new cargo pier,
length 290 m., is now in use.
Cargo Handling Equipment: One forklift truck capable of moving 20 ft.
containers and one mobile crane.
Stevedores: Stevedores required for weekend work must be ordered by
the previous Thursday.
Medical: Medical facilities are limited.
Density: 1018.5.
Dry Docks: None.
Gangway/Deck Watchmen: Highly recommended. Many of the security
guards carry weapons.
Opening/Closing Hatches: Operation carried out by ship’s crew.
Cargo Gear: Ship’s gear used for discharge. Shore crane available, hire
charge US$50.00 per hour.
Police/Ambulance/Fire: There are two fire trucks available, but no
ambulance.
Time: GMT all year round.
Telephones: There is no ship-to-shore telephone line available.
Storing: Unknown as no shipchandlers presented themselves to the vessel.
Shore Leave: Allowed.
Seaman’s Clubs: None.
See guidelines for compiling and submitting information (page xi) 1121