The Port of Freetown

SITUATION:
The Port of Freetown is a natural harbour with sailing entrance on the south side of the Sierra Leone River, the geographic location is Latitude 08 degree 30' North Longitude 13 degree 14' West

PILOT:
Sea pilot is compulsory for berthing / unberthing at Queen Elizabeth II quay and Kissy Oil Fuel Jetty. The pilot will meet the vessel at Falcon Bridge point.

Pilotage is only available between 0800Hrs and 1800Hrs however extension can be granted by SLPA via your ships agent (AMA).

The calling frequency is Channel 16 marine band. Once contact has been established the frequency to be changed to a designated working frequency.

Berthing information or anchorage allocation will be advised by Freetown Signal Station, which is situated at Cape Sierra.

ANCHORAGE:
Large anchorage area available with good holding ground and shelter is available. Maximum draft 14.60 m. Anchorage position will be advised by Freetown Signal Station.

TIDES:
Maximum tidal rage is 3.0 meters. Strong westerly tidal streams in harbour, up to 4.5 knots. Weak easterly tidal stream.

TUGS:
Only one tug is available and can be requested prior berthing via channel 16VHF marine band.

BERTHS:
The Queen Elizabeth II Quay: The original quay has a length of 365 meters. The width of the quay apron is 15.8 meters. The quay extension provides length of 702 meters and a width of the quay apron of 19 meters.

Berths
Berth no. 1: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 7 meters
Berth no. 1a: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 8 meters
Berth no. 2: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 10 meters
Berth no. 3: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 7 meters
Berth no. 4/5: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 10 meters
Berth no. 6: Length and beam - no restriction Draft: 7 meters

Distance between bollards:
Berths 1, 1a and 2: 18.30 meters
Berths 3, 4, 5 and 6: 17.40 meters

Tanker Berth - Kissy Oil Terminal
Vessels must be more than 500' in length berthing bow west.
Maximum displacement should not exceed 43,000 tons.
Maximum draft is 37'.
Berthing and un-berthing only during daylight ( 0800Hrs - 1800Hrs ) and only on floodtide.

DOCUMENTS:
The following documents are required by the authorities upon boarding of vessels.

Documents / Quantity:
Last port clearance - 1
Ports of call list - 5
Maritime declaration of health - 1
Vaccination list - 1
Stow away list - 5
Crew list - 5
Narcotics list - 2
Animal list - 1
Passenger list - 5
Arms and ammunition list - 3
Stores list / bonded store - 2
Crew declaration list - 1
Manifest of cargo - 4
Notice of readiness - 3

'Nil lists' also to be prepared.

Cargo manifest and dangerous cargo manifest are to be furnished to the Port Authority and relevant government via AMA no later than 72 hours prior arrival of vessel:

1. Cargo manifests 14 copies
2. Dangerous cargo manifest 2 copies
3. Freighted manifest 2 copies
4. Copy bills of lading 1 copy

PORT EQUIPMENT:
The following equipment is available and operational:
1. Container handlers (Hyster) 2 (15 - 25 mts)
2. Mafi tractors 8 and 40' trailers 6 (40 mts)
3. Forklifts 8 (4 – 25 mts) plus various normal stevedoring gear.

No shore cranes are available at the Port of Sierra Leone. If requested special arrangements can be made for hiring mobile cranes from private contractors via agent.
Official working hours is from Monday till Friday:
Standard shift 08.00 - 17.00

For work outside these hours i.e. 17.00 - 08.00 and during Saturdays/Sundays and Holidays overtime rates will be charged.

General cargo is normally only handled between ordinary hours i.e. 08.00 - 17.00 Monday to Sunday (Saturday and Sunday against overtime rates)

Container ships and Ro-Ro ships can operate on a 24 hours basis.

STEVEDORES:
According to the Port Act The Sierra Leone Ports Authority is the sole stevedore licensed and permitted to operate in the Port. All stevedoring and cargo handling services, whether performed by the Port Authority manpower or not, will be charged as if the services were rendered by the Ports Authority stevedore.

Discharging and loading rates:
- Bagged cargo: 150 mts per hook per day weather permitting (incentive money to stevedores will more or less guarantee this rate and some times more (up to 200 mts) depending on the arrangements made. If requested please contact us for arrangements.
- Containers: about 8 container per crane per hour, all depending on type of cranes and the stowage from vessel.

Public Holidays:
Good Friday
Christmas Day - December 25.
Independence Day - April 27.
The port is closed on subject dates. Work can in special cases be arranged but subject to individual arrangements.

Other holidays:
Easter Monday
Boxing day - December 26 and a number of Muslim holidays are observed.
On subject dates work is always possible in the port against normal overtime rates.

Berthing meetings:
Daily berthing meetings are hosted by Port Operations at 1030Hrs where berthing information are provided by agencies and berths are assigned therefore kindly make sure that vessel or owner inform agent  prior arrival.

INFORMATION TO THE PORT AUTHORITY:
The following information must be provided at least 48 hours in advance of expected arrival.
- Name of the vessel
- Port of Registry
- Gross Registered Tonnage
- Length Overall in meters
- Draft, Forward and Aft
- Total tonnage of cargo on board
- Total tonnage of cargo for Sierra Leone
- Number of containers (TEU) for Sierra Leone
- Number of cars or vehicles for Sierra Leone
- Expected Time of Arrival at Pilot Station
- Last port of call
- Next port of call