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Tags
A typical port details document contains up to 80 standard sections such as Max. Size, Pilotage, Tugs and Chandlery. These sections can be addressed using two API calls:
- Section List - returns a list of sections present within a port, and
- Section Content - returns the content of an individual section
But often, knowing which sections might be available is useful information so we have included a full listing below.
Explanation of terms used:
- Tag - is the name of the xml element in the xml version of the data
- Order - is the sort order that Shipping Guides use within their text
- Heading Text - is the standard heading used by Shipping Guides within their publications
- Short Heading - (where used) is a shortened version of the heading
- Facility Search - indicates if the section contains data which can be searched using the systems facility search functionality
- Description - is a detailed description of the contents of the named section
Table of Contents
Category: Pre Arrival
(There are 9 headings in this category)
Tag: intro
Order: 2800
Heading Text: Overview
Facility Search?: -
Description: General description, including a brief outline of the port/terminal.
Tag: location
Order: 2900
Heading Text: Location
Facility Search?: -
Description: Detailed geographical description of location within the world and within the country and position in latitude and longitude. Distance of nearest port/terminal or major town or city.
Tag: chartpub
Order: 3000
Heading Text: Charts
Facility Search?: -
Description: Numbers and details of charts and nautical publications covering the port or facility.
Tag: limits
Order: 4500
Heading Text: Port Limits
Short Heading: Limits
Facility Search?: -
Description: The seaward boundaries of the area over which the port has jurisdiction over navigation and operational procedures and, where specified within charter party, within which the vessel is considered to be an arrived ship.
Tag: docs
Order: 4600
Heading Text: Documents
Facility Search?: -
Description: Documentation required for clearance of the vessel inwards to and outwards from the port or facility (e.g. number of crew lists, passenger lists, Customs documents, health documents, manifests, Bills of Lading, etc.). Unless specific ship's certificates/documents (including cargo handling equipment certificates) are stated, the term 'ship's register' refers to certificates and documents required under IMO legal instruments to be carried on board.
Tag: isps
Order: 4630
Heading Text: ISPS Compliance
Short Heading: ISPS
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether port is ISPS compliant or when it expects to be compliant. Contact details of port security officers.
Tag: maxsize
Order: 4640
Heading Text: Max. Size
Facility Search?: -
Description: Maximum tonnage, LOA, beam and draft for different vessel types entering the port (dry cargo, container, bulk, Ro-Ro, passenger, tankers, crude, products, chemicals, gas). Any differences for vessels proceeding to installations outside the main port area. The state of tide governing these dimensions.
Tag: density
Order: 4645
Heading Text: Density
Facility Search?: -
Description: Average dock water density (preferably expressed in kg/m³ at 15°C). Any variations in density at different areas of the port or at different terminals.
Tag: restrict
Order: 4650
Heading Text: Restrictions
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of any restrictions imposed upon entry, for example at night-time, due to weather, or in accordance with state of tide and draft restriction. Any airdraft restrictions or bridges. Details of any particular arrival times required in order to pass through particular bridges, and maximum clearances, that is height of bridge to waterline.
Category: Arrival
(There are 5 headings in this category)
Tag: arrival
Order: 4700
Heading Text: Arrival
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any requirements whereby a vessel may be required to proceed to anchor on arrival to gain clearance, position in latitude and longitude where a vessel is considered to have arrived at the port. Requirements for Notice of Readiness.
Tag: approach
Order: 4800
Heading Text: Approaches
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details regarding the approach to the port/terminal in relation to buoyage, racons, depths, shoaling and approach channel dimensions. Whether there are any manoeuvring areas or turning basins in the port.
Tag: pilotage
Order: 4900
Heading Text: Pilotage
Facility Search?: -
Description: Manner in which vessel approaching the port applies for a pilot; contact information for pilot station; ETA required; description of pilot boat; particular light or sound signals to be made by vessels requiring a pilot; the exact area where pilot boat is located or where the pilot is taken on board; any alternative area in the event of bad weather and when pilot boat not on usual station; details of any specific requirements on the part of pilots with respect to boarding and safety measures; location of anchorage for vessel awaiting a pilot.
Tag: dspilot
Order: 5000
Heading Text: Deep Sea Pilotage
Short Heading: DS Pilots
Facility Search?: -
Description: Detailed information where there is a requirement or facility available for pilotage services beyond the port limits, such as in the Baltic and English Channel.
Tag: anch
Order: 5100
Heading Text: Anchorages
Facility Search?: -
Description: Boundaries in latitude and longitude, areas, type of seabed and depths of safe anchorages.
Category: Communications
(There are 4 headings in this category)
Tag: health
Order: 5200
Heading Text: Pratique
Facility Search?: -
Description: Action necessary to obtain pratique, or in the event of any suspected disease or fever on board. Pratique procedure and in what circumstances pratique is automatic, for example after calling at another port in the same country.
Tag: radio
Order: 5250
Heading Text: Pre-Arrival Information
Short Heading: Pre-Arrival
Facility Search?: -
Description: Name and call sign of radio station through which it is best for a vessel to route ETA messages to agent, receivers, etc. Any necessary pre-arrival information. Details of email, fax and telex communication with vessels.
Tag: vhf
Order: 5300
Heading Text: VHF
Facility Search?: -
Description: Fullest possible data concerning VHF radio communication facilities in operation at the port, including advice required from vessels approaching the port, arriving at the port, when manoeuvring within the port area, and when sailing. Details of standard communication procedures and numbers of channels used in calling, further communication and safety, as may be applicable with respect to pilotage, tugs, Port Authority, quarantine or other craft or shore-stations.
Tag: radar
Order: 5400
Heading Text: VTS/Radar
Facility Search?: -
Description: Name, geographical boundaries and VHF channels of any Vessel Traffic Management Service (VTS) operating within the port's limits. Details of existing port radar service.
Category: Berthing Ops
(There are 3 headings in this category)
Tag: tugs
Order: 5600
Heading Text: Tugs
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Operator and contact details. Number and capacity of tugs available. Minimum number of tugs required for berthing and unberthing in relation to size of vessel, and any special requirements. Position where tugs normally join the vessel. Also whether usual for ship's lines or tug's lines to be used and, if optional, the usual charge for use of tug's lines.
Tag: berthing
Order: 5725
Heading Text: Berths
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of available berths, including length of quay, depth alongside, maximum LOA, beam and draft at Low Water (indicating whether salt or fresh water), maximum size of vessel, fendering and other relevant data, together with advice of cargoes handled at respective berths. Details of independent berths or terminals.
Tag: mooring
Order: 5730
Heading Text: Mooring
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of mooring line configuration including type of mooring line required, anchors used for berthing, mooring boats and mooring gangs.
Category: Cargo
(There are 12 headings in this category)
Tag: breakblk
Order: 5800
Heading Text: Breakbulk Facilities
Short Heading: Breakbulk
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities for breakbulk vessels, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Cargoes handled at each berth. Berth equipment and specialist cranes. Cargoes intended to be covered by this heading are brealkbulk packages, project cargoes, neobulk cargoes such as reefer, ro-ro, forest products and steel, cargo in bags, boxes, crates, drums or bales.
Tag: bulk
Order: 5900
Heading Text: Bulk Facilities
Short Heading: Bulk
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities for bulk vessels, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Cargoes handled at each berth. Berth equipment, maximum height of discharging gear above high water level, and maximum loading/discharge rates. Cargoes intended to be covered by this heading are grain, metals and ores, coal, fertilisers, sulphurs, copra, etc.
Tag: cont
Order: 5950
Heading Text: Container Facilities
Short Heading: Containers
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities for container vessels, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Detailed information on types of cranes available for container handling, e.g. gantry, Panamax and post-Panamax, and sizes; cargo handling equipment, reefer points, container freight station.
Tag: cruise
Order: 5960
Heading Text: Passenger Facilities
Short Heading: Cruise
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities for cruise vessels, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Facilities for passengers.
Tag: special
Order: 5970
Heading Text: Other Facilities
Short Heading: Other
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of facilities specially equipped for handling Ro-Ro cargoes or cargoes not covered by other sections, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at Low Water for each berth.
Tag: tankers
Order: 5980
Heading Text: Tanker Facilities
Short Heading: Tankers
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities specially equipped for handling tankers, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Diameter of lines and average load/discharge rates. Inert gas system (IGS) requirements, vapour return line availability. Prevailing wind on berth. Whether special moorings required. Availability of shore gangways, shore steam, facilities to combat oil spills and if so, equipment available. Ship-to-ship transfer facilities. Slop (residue) discharge facilities, capacities, and maximum receiving rate. SG, API and temperatures of local types of oil (loading ports only).
Tag: lpglng
Order: 5990
Heading Text: LPG/LNG Facilities
Short Heading: Gas
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of facilities specially equipped for handling LPG/LNG carriers, including berths, length of quay, depth alongside, maximum deadweight, LOA and draft (indicating salt or fresh water) at low water for each berth. Diameter of lines and average load/discharge rates. Prevailing wind on berth. Whether special moorings required. Are shore gangways available?
Tag: hoses
Order: 6050
Heading Text: Hoses
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details concerning connection and disconnection of hoses and hose sizes.
Tag: loading
Order: 6100
Heading Text: Cargo Operations
Short Heading: Cargo
Facility Search?: -
Description: Pre-loading and pre-discharging checklists; loading plan; loading rate; manning requirements during cargo operations; emergency shutdown procedures; cargo/ullage reports; completion of loading; requirements for cessation of charging; inert gas system; tank venting.
Tag: cranes
Order: 6120
Heading Text: Cranes
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Type, safe working loads and numbers of shore cranes available at berths for cargo handling. Details of heavy-lift cranes ashore or afloat, with lifting capacities. Details of berths where vessel's own gear must be used.
Tag: cargoh
Order: 6130
Heading Text: Cargo Handling Facilities
Short Heading: Handling
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of cargo handling facilities including name of operator, cargo handling equipment such as conveyors and forklifts, and types of cargo handled, cargo handling rates and any handling restrictions.
Tag: stevedor
Order: 6200
Heading Text: Stevedores
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any particular ETA advice required in order to arrange gangs. Details of main commodities and average load or discharge rates. Normal working hours for general and bulk cargoes, also hours that overtime is possible. List of stevedore operators and contact addresses. Whether load/discharge effected by shore gear or by ship's gear, and details of any special cargo equipment. Whether stevedores or crew are normally responsible for lashing. Whether opening/closing hatches is normally carried out by crew or stevedores.
Category: Pollution
(There are 4 headings in this category)
Tag: ballast
Order: 6600
Heading Text: Ballast
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of the ballast requirements for the National Authority and/or Port Authority. Whether there are any requirements for change of ballast water prior to arrival at the port. Ballast reception facilities and any restrictions.
Tag: pollute
Order: 6650
Heading Text: Pollution
Facility Search?: -
Description: Detailed requirements for pollution avoidance. List of procedures that the vessel must follow, and countermeasures that the port/terminal will take if an incident occurs. Contact numbers and VHF Channels to be used in the case of such an occurrence.
Tag: garbage
Order: 6700
Heading Text: Waste Disposal
Short Heading: Waste
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether a collection service is available and if drums or skips are provided on board or alongside. Contact details of garbage services, charges and collection time.
Tag: wasteoil
Order: 6750
Heading Text: Slops Disposal
Short Heading: Slops
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether a collection service is available and capacity of shore tanks, barges and road tankers. Location of any special berth for this service. Name and contact details of companies operating this service; charges and any other relevant information.
Category: Facilities
(There are 9 headings in this category)
Tag: medical
Order: 6775
Heading Text: Medical
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether necessary for Agents to receive notice of required medical attention and the amount of notice required; whether hospital and dental facilities are available; any other relevant medical information such as particular inoculations required, vaccination/fever certificates, etc., and whether inoculations and vaccinations can be carried out. For offshore terminals, evacuation availability for urgent medical cases.
Tag: water
Order: 6800
Heading Text: Fresh Water
Short Heading: Water
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Availability, method and rate of delivery, approximate cost per unit and who arranges delivery.
Tag: fuel
Order: 6900
Heading Text: Fuel
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Grades (viscosities) of fuel and lube oil available, amount of notice required, who arranges delivery and method of delivery. If bunkers supplied by vessel/barge, minimum/maximum quantity to be ordered.
Tag: shipsupp
Order: 7000
Heading Text: Chandlery
Facility Search?: -
Description: Availability of ships' provisions. Name and contact details of ship supply service operators who are able to supply craft or helicopters for transfer of stores, crew and sick personnel. Also range, capacity and rendezvous points of supply craft and helicopters.
Tag: storing
Order: 7100
Heading Text: Storing
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of whether vessels can receive stores, access to berth, use of forklift trucks and availability of local riggers.
Tag: services
Order: 7200
Heading Text: Services
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Details of any special services available, for example tank-cleaning equipment, compass adjusting, radio and radar repairs, supply of charts, nautical publications, sounding paper, course recorder paper, Notice to Mariners, safety equipment. Possibility of extension of certificates.
Tag: drydock
Order: 7300
Heading Text: Drydocks
Short Heading: Drydock
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Dimensions of largest drydock and the number of smaller docks. Maximum deadweight, LOA, beam and draft of vessel accommodated. If no drydocks at port, location of nearest drydocks.
Tag: repairs
Order: 7350
Heading Text: Repairs
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether all types of deck and engine repairs are possible, and if not, then what types of repairs may be carried out. Full contact details for the operator(s) of the repair facility.
Tag: surveyor
Order: 7400
Heading Text: Surveyors
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Availability of cargo inspectors and Classification Society surveyors.
Category: Security
(There are 7 headings in this category)
Tag: police
Order: 7500
Heading Text: Police/Ambulance/Fire
Short Heading: Police etc
Facility Search?: -
Description: Telephone numbers of these three services.
Tag: emerg
Order: 7550
Heading Text: Emergency Response Centre
Short Heading: Emergency
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Nearest Emergency Response Centre and contact details (e.g. US Coast Guard, UK Coastguard, SAR, etc.).
Tag: fire
Order: 7650
Heading Text: Fire Precautions
Short Heading: Fire
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any specific precautions, other than usual non-smoking precautions, etc., particularly with respect to tankers.
Tag: watchmen
Order: 7700
Heading Text: Security/Gangway
Short Heading: Security
Facility Search?: -
Description: Whether watchmen are necessary or recommended and if so, the cost. Whether shore gangway is available and if not, port requirements for vessel. Any security measures that are peculiar to the port/terminal.
Tag: piracy
Order: 7750
Heading Text: Piracy
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any precautions that are either advisable or required. Date and location of most recent incident.
Tag: stowaway
Order: 7800
Heading Text: Stowaways
Short Heading: Stowaway
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any precautions that are either advisable or required.
Tag: regs
Order: 7900
Heading Text: Regulations
Short Heading: Regs
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any particular or unusual regulations for the port.
Category: Local Info
(There are 5 headings in this category)
Tag: time
Order: 8200
Heading Text: Time
Facility Search?: -
Description: Local time in relation to GMT and dates/details of any alterations made to clocks during the year (summer time).
Tag: holidays
Order: 8300
Heading Text: Holidays
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Dates and details of official and local holidays and whether or not cargo work can be arranged on those days.
Tag: weather
Order: 8550
Heading Text: Weather/Tides
Short Heading: Weather
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of tidal range, wind force and direction, precipitation, sea state and whether there are restrictions due to exposure of the berth. Contact information for the local weather bureau and broadcasting frequency for weather reports.
Tag: delays
Order: 8600
Heading Text: Delays
Facility Search?: -
Description: What delays in berthing, loading, discharging or bunkering can be expected with regular occurrence.
Category: Shore
(There are 6 headings in this category)
Tag: consuls
Order: 8800
Heading Text: Consuls
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Names, contact details and represented countries of Consuls at the port.
Tag: phone
Order: 8850
Heading Text: Telephones
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Whether arrangements exist for placing telephones on board. Whether there are any public pay telephones ashore, near to the vessel's berth. Whether there is mobile telephone coverage, and if so, frequency, if known.
Tag: airport
Order: 8950
Heading Text: Nearest Airport
Short Heading: Airport
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Distance from and name of nearest airport; whether airport is international or domestic.
Tag: connect
Order: 8960
Heading Text: Connections
Facility Search?: -
Description: Access to the port or facility; major road and rail links; whether there are rail links to the berths.
Tag: banks
Order: 9000
Heading Text: Banks
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Availability and ATM access.
Tag: customs
Order: 9050
Heading Text: Customs
Facility Search?: -
Description: Contact details for Customs. Quantity of dutiable goods (tobacco, wine, spirits, etc.) permitted for each crew member to be held out of bond. Any other relevant information.
Category: Crew
(There are 4 headings in this category)
Tag: shorleav
Order: 9100
Heading Text: Shore Leave
Short Heading: Leave
Facility Search?: -
Description: Whether crew members are allowed ashore or not.
Tag: repat
Order: 9125
Heading Text: Repatriation
Facility Search?: -
Description: Whether facilities exist for effecting crew changes and arranging any necessary repatriation.
Tag: idcards
Order: 9150
Heading Text: Identification Cards
Short Heading: ID Cards
Facility Search?: -
Description: Whether shore passes issued or whether Seaman's Book or other documentation is sufficient.
Tag: seamans
Order: 9175
Heading Text: Seaman's Clubs
Short Heading: Missions
Facility Search?: -
Description: Names of Seaman's Clubs operating at the port, address and telephone number. Facilities available, e.g. shop, international telephone service for seafarers, religious services, social events, mini-bus collection, postage facilities, games available at the clubs and any other service available.
Category: Misc
(There are 5 headings in this category)
Tag: general
Order: 9400
Heading Text: General
Facility Search?: -
Description: Any information that may be of value to the Shipmaster and that is not covered by the previous questions.
Tag: develop
Order: 9500
Heading Text: Developments
Facility Search?: -
Description: Details of expected draft increases, new installations, berths, etc., expected in the foreseeable future, together with expected dates of completion.
Tag: agency
Order: 9700
Heading Text: Agency
Facility Search?: -
Description: In cases where a port or terminal is handled by a sole Agency, the name and address of that Agency with contact details.
Tag: auth
Order: 9800
Heading Text: Authority
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: Name and contact details of local and national port authorities or port operators.
Tag: agent
Order: 9900
Heading Text: Agent
Facility Search?: Yes
Description: At the foot of many of the ports, we have an additional heading entitled Agent. The aim of this section is to provide prompt access to an experienced Agent at the port concerned. It will be understood that such Agents are not necessarily the only Agent at that port, however, demands on available space preclude the inclusion of more than one. We trust that other companies will understand the position.