General

GENERAL

LIBERIA
(See Plan)

GEO-POLITICAL:
Capital City: Monrovia.
Nationality: (noun) Liberian, (adjective) Liberian.
Population: 3,042,004.

COMMUNICATIONS:
International Direct Dial Code: 231.
Number of Internal Airports: 2.
Major Languages Spoken: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group
languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence.

ECONOMY:
Currency: 1 Liberian Dollar (LRD) of 100 Cents.
Main Industries: Rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber,
diamonds.

ENVIRONMENT:
Territorial Sea: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 579 km.
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold
nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers.
Natural Resources: Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower.
Natural Hazards: Dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara
(December to March).
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low
mountains in northeast.
Average Temperatures:
Month
High
Low
January
32 C
21 C
June
29 C
21 C
September
28 C
20 C
PIRACY: Notice to Mariners:
1. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when sailing near the coast of
Liberia.
2. A cargo vessels was seized by small craft believed to have been operated
by the National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Information indicates that the rebel
ships may be flying two flags flag of Liberia and the flag of the National
Patriotic Front (Red with Black Scorpion).
2. Mariners are advised to keep at least 30 miles off the coast.

Morning watch
Afternoon watch

:
:

0800 0900 GMT

1500 1600 GMT

Frequencies:
The radio watch is kept on call frequency 2,182 kHz for subsequent
0900 and
switching over to 2638 kHz, or 2738 kHz (0830
1530 1600 GMT).
The radio set used on shore has a reach of approximately 600 miles. In
accordance with the above, ore ships heading for Buchanan and having radio
sets operating on frequencies listed are requested to establish radio contact
with Buchanan Harbour and give ETA message as soon as possible after
they have come within 600 miles distance from the port.
Contact at a distance of approximately 1,400 miles and on sailing from last
port:
Sailing from last port: On sailing from last port for Buchanan, the owner
or the Master shall telegraph to GIMSALES, Stockholm (Telex No. 17549)
and to LAMCO, Buchanan (Telex No. 44260) stating expected date of
arrival and furthermore indicate to the latter the vessels preferred radio
working frequency in the 4000 kHz 8000 kHz range.
Radio watches: Starting 4 days before the vessels ETA at Buchanan,
Buchanan Harbour, ELM 1, will call the vessel on 6520.0 kHz between
0830 0900 GMT and 1530 1600 GMT.
Every day, except on holidays and Sundays, Buchanan Harbour keeps
watch on 2182.0 kHz between 0800 0830 GMT and 1500 1530 GMT.
These watches will also be kept on holidays and Sundays in case a vessel
is expected on those days or the following workday.
Notice in advance: The Master shall give telex or cable notice 72 hours
and 36 hours prior to the vessels expected arrival at Buchanan to LAMCO,
Buchanan, if no radio contact has been established previously.
VHF: Buchanan Harbour on Channels 16, 6, 9, 12 and 14.
TUGS: Lamco provides towage with two tugs 1,640 h.p. and one tug
3,300 h.p. Tugs join vessel about 0.5 mile north of red buoy.
BERTHING: Ore Quay: Length 257 m., depth alongside 14.0 m.
Commercial Quay: Length 320 m., depth alongside 10.0 m.
Tug Quay: Length 126 m., depth alongside 10.0 m.
Storage: A commercial warehouse with a storage capacity of 2,300 sq.m.
built on the harbour along with the Customs warehouse of 1,000 sq.m.
Iron ore storage capacity: 1.7 million tons on shipping stockpiles. 0.4 million
tons on feed stockpiles.

BULK CARGO FACILITIES:

BUCHANAN: 05 52' N 10 02' W

(See Plan)

PORT LIMITS: A vessel shall be considered to have arrived at Port of

Buchanan when she enters a circle with a 3 nautical mile radius from the
beacon on the main breakwater head (Fl.G.3 sec.). The above does not affect
present stipulations of ore ships Notice of Readiness, which remain
unchanged nor does it limit Port Authorities exclusive right to decide in which
order ships shall be worked.
Notice of Readiness: Notice of Readiness will not be accepted from vessels
anchored more than 3 miles off the head of the main breakwater.
DOCUMENTS:
1 Clearance from last Port of Call.
1 Health Declaration.
6 Number of Passengers Lists.
4 Ports of Call Lists.
6 Cargo Manifests (even in ballast).
7 Crew Lists.
3 Stores Lists (ship).
3 Personal Effects Lists.
1 Vaccination List.
Customs, health and passport inspection normally takes place at the berth.
It is recommended that the Master of the ship himself attends at the
boarding party to clear the ship upon arrival and that the above documents
are prepared upon the ships arrival.
MAX. SIZE: See Bulk Cargo Facilities, Berthing and Tanker
Facilities.
Arrival Draft: Maximum arrival draft for ore carriers must not exceed 8.85 m.
and air draft should not exceed 15.0 m. Maximum arrival draft for cargo
vessels must not exceed 9.15 m.
DENSITY: Varying but around 1020/25.
RESTRICTIONS: Harbour traffic hours towage and pilotage (ore ships),
0000 2400 hrs. General cargo ships (tankers), 0700 2300 hrs.
PILOTAGE: Lamco provides pilotage. Pilot boarding approximately
1.5 miles off the main breakwater, bearing 095/110. Pilot to be provided
with a clean and safe ladder on the lee side. Buchanan Pilot on VHF Channel
16.
ANCHORAGES: If waiting for Pilot, anchor off main breakwater on
bearing 090 110, 1.5 miles 2.5 miles off main breakwater (south).
Exit Channel: Anchoring is prohibited within a sector with a bearing of 060
080 to the head of the main breakwater, as this is the exit sector.
PRATIQUE: Customs, health and passport inspection normally takes place
at the berths. Quarantine signal must not be hauled down before Free
Pratique is received. If diseases are suspected on board contact the Port
Authorities or Agents by radio for instructions. After call at other Liberian ports
where Free Pratique has been granted, Port Health will also board here.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Contact immediately before arrival:
Watch schedule of Buchanan Harbour:
From about 2 hours before expected arrival of an ore ship, the LAMCO
Clearing Office is keeping continuous radio watch on VHF Channel 16 and
call frequency 2182 kHz, for possible subsequent switching over to VHF
Channels 6, 9, 12 or 14 and 2738 kHz or 2638 kHz.
The call sign is Buchanan Harbour, ELM 1.
All ore ships heading for Buchanan are requested to establish radio contact
with Buchanan Harbour, ELM 1, using the above frequencies approximately
one hour before estimated time of arrival.
Contact 24 Hours Before Arrival:
Whenever an expected ore ship is to arrive in the Port of Buchanan within
about 24 hours, the LAMCO Clearing Office will for the purpose of securing
timely and accurate information on the ETA of the ship, maintain the following
radio watch schedule.

Instructions for the handling of ore ships with a draft of 39 ft. or more:
The departure shall be arranged in such a way that the following conditions
are fulfilled:
1. Minimum clearance C under the ships keel shall be 3 ft. except for
ships having a beam B exceeding 125 ft., for which minimum clearance
required shall be calculated by the following formula:
C

125

3 ft.

2. Maximum advisable draft D Max in the basin shall at any time be based
on the actual height of the sea level H at that time (measured from the
project O-level) and on the required minimum clearance C under the
keel shall under normal conditions be estimated as follows (for
12.95 area):
D max 42.5 + H C (all measurements in feet).
3. Departure on falling tide is permitted only when it can be shown that the
minimum clearance C as per above will be maintained during a period
of at least 2 hours from the time the tugs start pulling. (This means as a
consequence that for a ship that commences departure less than one
hour before high water the draft shall be based on estimated level of the
falling water 2 hours after commencement.
Note that the level one hour after high water has sunk about 7% and
the level 2 hours after high water 25% of the total tidal range.
Deep Water Basin at Buchanan Ore Loading Quay: With the completion of
the deep water basin at the Ore Loading Quay, the water depth alongside
the quay is increased from 12.95 m. to 14.00 m. below the zero level of the
General Elevation System.
The required keel clearance is 3 ft. for ships up to 125 ft. beam. The max.
permissible draft alongside the quay is thus:
beam in ft.
46 ft. ( 3) ft. + tide
125
Tidal range:
MHWS +1.18 m. above zero level of the General Elevation System. MLW
+0.05 m. above zero level of the General Elevation System. MLWS
0.15 m. below zero level of the General Elevation System. Because of the
necessity to save a rock shelf to support the sheetpiling of the cells when
blasting and dredging the deep water basin, new fenders have been installed
at the quay in order to keep the bilges of the vessels well clear of those
rocks. The new fenders have a diameter of 1.20 m. A ship loaded to maximum
permissible draft can have a list of 5 without touching the rock slope but
since she would touch the bottom with a list of about 3 such lists will not be
tolerated.
Height of Shiploader: 17.0 m. above the water level at MHWS. A 1.0 m.
safety margin is normally sufficient.
Maximum shiploader outreach (including throw) from the new fender line
is 24.0 m. whereby a max. 48 m. wide vessel can be loaded. Loading rate
6,000 t.p.h. (3,000 t.p.h. July 1987).
It must be clearly understood that the sailing drafts are unchanged. The
width of the deep water basin is only 60 m. It gives however, the great
advantage of being able to continue loading without stopping for low water,
whereby loading can often be completed 12 hours earlier than without the
deep basin.
An even greater advantage is probably the increased safety, should a large
ship develop engine trouble after she has exceeded the former maximum
permissible low water draft, in which case operators have no alternative but
to pull vessel out at HW as dead ship which could very easily result in a
major accident with enormous economic consequences. Now operators can
let vessel remain alongside over the next low tide without any risk.

See guidelines on how to compile and submit information to us (page xi).

1695

LIBERIA

Buchanan

Vacation of Berth: Vessels should vacate their berths immediately after

completion of loading or discharging.
Ore carriers are allowed a maximum stay of 30 minutes, whereafter
U.S.$1,000 per hour or any part thereof will be levied at the Harbour Masters
discretion. (This may be exempt if vessel on max. draft awaiting high water
sailing.)
TANKER FACILITIES: One tanker berth with 18 in. pipeline for
discharging only. Hose connections are 6 in. and 10 in.
Max. size: 8.2 m. draft if length 170 m. or less and 7.0 m. if length over
170 m.
Oil depot capacity:
22,000 cu.m. diesel oil.
1,000 cu.m. gasoline.
15,000 cu.m. heavy oil.
Various storage tanks:
1,500 cu.m. diesel oil.
450 cu.m. heavy fuel.
CRANES: 1150 ton derrick crane and 120 ton portal crane at the
Commercial Quay.
STEVEDORES: As early as possible advance notice of ETA required
latest by 1500 hrs. on day preceding arrival if a weekday, or Saturday before
noon if arrival on Sunday.
Shore working hours: Ore handling: 24 hours a day.
General Cargo Handling:
Morning Shift:
Monday through
0700 1500
Friday
Saturday
0700 1200
Afternoon Shift:
Monday through
Friday
Saturday

1500 2300
1200 2300

Night Shift:
Monday through
Saturday

2300 0700

Holidays:
0700 0700 of next work day.
Container vessels/Ro-Ro vessels (Afternoon Shift):
Monday through
1500 2300
Friday
Saturday
1200 2300
Container vessels/Ro-Ro vessels (Night Shift):
Monday through
2300 0700
Saturday
Container vessels/Ro-Ro vessels (Sundays and Holidays):
Sundays &
0700 0700
Holidays

OPENING/CLOSING HATCHES: Performed by stevedores.

MEDICAL: Hospital and medical care is provided; advance notice should
be given in serious cases. Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are
compulsory to enter the Republic. Vaccination book is required.
FRESH WATER: Fresh water is available, ex-quay only, rate is 20 t.p.h.
Subject to availability.
FUEL: No bunker facilities available.
REPAIRS: No commercial facilities available. In cases of emergency
Lamco might assist with minor repairs.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: No phone available; however the Lamco
Plant Protection Force should be contacted; one Officer is normally assigned
to each quay/gate.
GANGWAY/DECK WATCHMEN: Agent strongly recommends
employment of night watchmen as thieving is commonplace.
TIME: GMT; no alterations during the year.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: January 1st; February 11th; Second Wednesday
in March; March 15th; April 12th; May 14th; July 26th; August 24th; First
Thursday in November; November 29th; December 1st; December 25th.
Special holidays as proclaimed from time to time by the Liberian Government.
No work will be performed on January 1st, July 26th and December 25th.
DELAYS: Generally, no major delays have occurred. For ore carriers and
tankers the tide may occasionally involve 24/36 hours waiting time depending
on the size of ships expected to load: general cargo ships; no delay.
CONSULS: Swedish Vice-Consul only; however, most countries are
represented either by Embassy or Consul at Monrovia.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Roberts International Airport about 1 hour ride by
car; several connections to the rest of the world.
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES: Direct sales from ships are strictly
forbidden.
SHORE LEAVE: No restrictions.
REPATRIATION: Can be arranged.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Not required.
GENERAL: Customs: Two Customs Officers stay on board the ship during
ships entire stay and they should be given meals in the Officers Mess and
if necessary night quarters.
Cabins: It is recommended to keep all cabins locked during the stay in port.
Provisions: There are some chandlers in Buchanan for fresh fruits, fish, etc.
No duty free or wholesale facilities provided.
Tide: Range of tide 0.90 m. 1.50 m. (3 ft. 5 ft.)
AUTHORITY: Port Operators: Lamco J. V. Operating Company, c/o
Roberts International Airport, Robertsfield, Liberia. Tel: Monrovia
224238 (local), Monrovia 221190 (overseas), Buchanan 1545, 1546.
Telex: 44260, 44293 Lamco. Cables: LAMCO Buchanan (Liberia) KTB.
Contact: Harbour Master.
AGENT: See Monrovia.

1696

GREENVILLE: 04 59' N 09 03' W

PORT LIMITS: Sea Buoy: 04 58.27' N., 09 04.27' W.
DOCUMENTS:
6 Crew Lists
6 Passenger Lists
4 Customs and Crew Declaration
2 Vaccination Lists and valid Cholera/Yellow Fever Certificates
2 Copies Manifests
2 Copies, Bills of Lading
Load Line and Safety Construction Certificates
Licences of Officers (for Coast Guard)
Cargo Gear Certificate.
MAX. SIZE: Length 156 m., beam no restriction, draft 7.31 m.
DENSITY: November April 1025; May October 1010.
RESTRICTIONS: Pilotage is carried out between 0500 hrs. and 2300 hrs.
daily. Under extenuating circumstances pilotage can be done after 2300 hrs.,
if previous arrangements are made.
BRIDGES: None.
PILOTAGE: Compulsory. Pilot embarks in position of Sea Buoy or at the
authorised anchorage. Boarding is done from a launch painted black and
white with the word Pilot inscribed. Contact can be established on a normal
working day between 0730 1700 hrs., on Saturdays 0730 1200 hrs.,
holidays and Sundays office not open, but should a vessel be expected
the Pilot can be contacted during the expected time of arrival on VHF
Channel 16 or 12.
ANCHORAGES: Indicated on the chart by a dotted line commencing in
position Lat. 4 58.8' N., Long. 9 03.4' W. running in a direction 309 for
11 cables thence 092 for 10 cables then 188 for 7 cables with a minimum
depth of 6.5 fathoms. Care should be exercised as there exists a 4 fathom
patch at the edge of the anchorage area. Vessels proceeding to the
anchorage area should proceed with the Sea Buoy and the North Point
Lighthouse, bearing 059 to within a distance of one mile from the breakwater,
thereafter altering course for the anchorage.
PRATIQUE: Pratique granted by Port Health Officer on arrival at berth,
no radio pratique granted.
VHF: Contact can be established with the Marine Office or the various
Agencies during normal working hours Monday Friday 0730 1700 hrs.,
and on Saturdays 0730 1200 hrs. on Channel 16 VHF.
VTS/RADAR: No Port Control radar.
TUGS: One twin screw tug of 1,450 b.h.p. available for assisting vessels.
This tug is equipped with modern fire fighting appliances, and can also
execute coastal towage of vessels if required. Ships lines are preferable for
towing, but if not available then tugs line can be used.
Two 192 h.p. launches are available for assisting coasters, and the towing
of logs when rafting is being done.
BERTHING: One jetty 585 ft. in length with a depth of 8.1 m. Smaller jetty
for vessels not exceeding 180 ft. in length with a depth of 4.9 m. alongside.
In addition vessels loading floating logs can be berthed safely in the middle
of the basin parallel to the main jetty with a depth of 8.1 m. Under favourable
weather conditions (November April) a third vessel can be accommodated
at right angles to the jetty in a similar depth to the inner basin. All loading
and discharging must be done by ships gear.
BULK CARGO FACILITIES: Cargo handled-forestry products only,
i.e. logs, boules, sawn timber and plywood.
SPECIALISED CARGO FACILITIES: None.
TANKER FACILITIES: Facilities for small coastal tankers only, but
larger tankers loading palm oil can use the large jetty with portable
hoses/pipes connected from the permanent installation.
CRANES: None presently available, but plans are underway to purchase
a 70 ton mobile crane.
STEVEDORES: Arrangements can only be made on vessels arrival as
this depends on the availability of the logs and sawn timber to be loaded.
The required loading rate for vessels alongside the jetty is 800 cu.m. per
24 hours and vessels in the basin 500 cu.m. per 24 hours.
OPENING/CLOSING HATCHES: Opening/closing carried out by
crew but alternative arrangements can be made for shore labour.
CARGO GEAR: Ships gear only.
MEDICAL: One government owned hospital with 50 beds, and one private
clinic, both with limited facilities available.
FRESH WATER: Available at berth or by tug.
FUEL: Small amounts of diesel can be delivered by truck.
SERVICES: No facilities exist for tank cleaning or compass adjusting.
NEAREST DRY DOCK: None.
REPAIRS: No facilities.
SURVEYORS: All classification societies are represented at Monrovia.
Surveyors will travel to Greenville if arrangements are made by Agents.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: Within reach. Not available by
telephone.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Usual precautions.
GANGWAY/DECK WATCHMEN: Available but not compulsory.
REGULATIONS: No unusual regulations.
TIME: GMT is observed throughout the year.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: There are 13 national holidays: 1 January, New
Years Day; 11 February, Armed Forces Day; 2nd Wednesday in March,
Decoration Day; 15 March, JJ Roberts Birthday; Good Friday; 2nd Friday in
April, Fast and Prayer Day; 12 April, National Redemption Day; 26 July,
National Independence Day; 24 August, National Flag Day; 1st Thursday in
November, Thanksgiving Day; 29 November, Tubmans Birthday and
25 December, Christmas Day.
No work is permitted whatsoever on 1 January, New Years Day; 12 April,
Redemption Day: 26 July, Independence Day and 25 December, Christmas
Day.

Readers are encouraged to send updates/additions (see p. xi for details)

Greenville

LIBERIA

DELAYS: Can be expected during the rainy season (April-November) when

adverse weather conditions (heavy swell) exist causing vessels to part their
moorings. This usually lasts not more than two days in any given period. At
such times, vessels are moved to the inner basin or to the roadstead until
the conditions improve.
CONSULS: Nearest at Monrovia.
TELEPHONES: Not available.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Small domestic airport 5 miles from the port with
two flights daily to Monrovia, approximately 45 minutes flying time.
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES: 200 cigarettes/1 bottle spirits per crew
member, but depending on duration of stay.
SHORE LEAVE: No restrictions.
REPATRIATION: Carried out via Monrovia.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Not required.
GENERAL: The port designed for the handling of logs and related wood
products has just completed a rehabilitation project which included the
dredging of the basin and approaches, new rafting and lighting facilities, also
the placing of both fresh and salt water mains to the quay. Feasibility studies
are now underway with a view to increasing the length of the main quay by
33 m. Despite the fact that the present facilities are for vessels of 156 m.,
vessels of 160 m. were safely berthed in the past year.
Navigational aids installed in 1987 as follows:
Sea Buoy R & W HOR. bands, Posn., 04 58.27' N., 09 04.27' W. Fl. W.
ev. 10 secs.
Buoy marking mutine patch R & W HOR. bands, Fl. W. ev. 6 secs.
Red Buoy bearing 337 2 cables from the breakwater marking the
northern extremity of the harbour, Fl. R. 3 ev. 8.5 secs.
North Pt. Lt. Ho. Sectored Fl. R. & W. 2 ev. 11 secs.
130 310 Obscured
310 040 Red
040 080 White
080 130 Red
Light at the northern extremity of Jetty, Fl. G. ev. 3 secs.
AUTHORITY: National Port Authority, Port of Greenville, PO Box 165,
Greenville, Sinoe County, Liberia. Tel: 9538/9. Cables: Sinoe Port.
Contact: Captain SL Wynter, Chief Pilot.

HARPER (Cape Palmas): 04 22' N 07 44' W

(See Plan)
SHIPMASTERS REPORT: August 1991.
OVERVIEW:
Harper Port (Cape Palmas) located in position
Lat. 04 21.7' N., Long. 07 43.8' W. is a small port with major export of logs,
mainly to Europe.
The port is situated on the NE side of Russwurm Island.
There are buoys placed in directions and distance measured from Sea to
Cape Palmas as follows (also see Plan):
Buoy No. 1 072 1.6 miles. Buoy No. 2 (red) 093.5 1.14 miles, near
Congo Rock. Buoy No. 3 (green) 092 0.6 miles, near Yoruba Rock.
Buoy No. 1 in line with beacons at Yoruba wreck (easy to spot), buoy in
line with the beacons 045 1.8 miles which lead to Cape Palmas anchorage.
When entering the port of Harper from Buoy No. 1 steer 067. This will
bring vessel to the middle of the harbour entrance. A red buoy near Outer
Rock and Cape Rock has to remain close on the portside. When entering
the port the Old Jetty will remain close on starboard side. When the Old Jetty
is abeam to starboard, vessel is swung to starboard in order to go portside
alongside at the New Jetty. There is very little space in the port, just sufficient
to swing around.
The New Jetty is about 100 m. long. There are just enough bollards to
moor the ship. Several bollards are broken. Moorings break regularly and if
they do not break during periods of high swell the bollards will, as happened
to us, be ripped off the pier. The swell is most frequent between May
and August (rainy season). The port is dangerous in the months June/July
(in my opinion) when the swell is very high, especially for ships over
2,000 tons.
The New Jetty is designed for ships up to 2,000 tons but ships over
3,000 tons enter the port. Safe draft is 5.20 m., but according to personnel
it is 6.0 m. at high water, but I would not recommend this. We did several
trips and touched the bottom during low water with a draft of 5.2 m. (there
was a big swell at the time). The swell is at times very big and it is not
advisable to stay alongside the pier at night in those periods. Night navigation
is also not advisable.
There are no Pilots or tugs and there is little or no communication possible
by VHF or radio.
There is one working mobile crane but usually ships gear will be used.
The shipper acts as the agent so few services can be expected.
No provisions, water or fuel are available.
The following documents will be requested: 7 copies Crew List; 2 copies
Narcotics List; 2 copies Stores List; 2 copies Crew Declaration; 6 copies Arms
and Ammunitions List; 1 copy Health List; 6 copies Stowaway List; 6 copies
Animals List; 6 copies Last Port of Call List; 2 copies Vaccinations List.

MONROVIA: 06 20' N 10 50' W

(See Plan)

DOCUMENTS:
4 Crew Lists
4 Passenger Lists or Statements Nil if none aboard
2 Manifests for Customs. This should state ballast if no cargo aboard
4 List of Ports of call from commencement of voyage with date of calls
1 International Health Declaration
1 List of dates of yellow fever and cholera vaccination
4 Stores Lists
2 Crew Customs Declarations
Immigration now stamp all seamens Discharge Books or Passports
2 Livestock Lists.

Notice:
The National Port Authority have issued Circular No. 1/1988 which reads:
The National Port Authority, Freeport of Monrovia, is herewith announcing
the following:
1. Ships ETA, draft and corrected ETA shall be furnished to the
Harbour Master in writing, minimum 24 hours prior to ships arrival.
2. The following cargo documents shall be furnished minimum 48 hours
prior to ships arrival to the Operations Manager (with the exception
of those cargo documents of last coastal port in West Africa, which
shall be made available at ships arrival).
Import:
6 complete and legible sets of Cargo Manifests, classing separate:
containers (size and type to be indicated)
rolling units
general cargo (loose)
LCL-container manifest (separate per unit)
summary.
2 Manifests of cargo to be shifted via quay
1 Stowage/bay plan
3 List of Dangerous Goods (as to IMDG-codification) for Monrovia
1 List of Dangerous Goods (as IMDG-codification) in transit
Export:
2 copies of the provisional Booking List shall be furnished minimum
48 hours prior to ships arrival to the Operations Manager
3 complete and legible sets of Export Manifest classed as the Import
Manifests Customs passed and stamped, shall be furnished
minimum 48 hours after ships departure to the Operations Manager.
All cargo documents (in English) shall use metric system in weight and
measurement.
Port charges are payable prior to departure.
MAX. SIZE: Max. draft at marginal wharf is 30 ft. Vessels exceeding this
draft will receive heavy fine (double all charges).
Also see Berthing.
DENSITY: Density varies with the tide. Also varies during rainy season as
river flow increases. Varies from 1009 to 1024 oz. per cu. ft. with average of
approx. 1019 oz. per cu. ft.
RESTRICTIONS: Pilot service is available in daylight hours only.
Depth in harbour entrance is 9.0 m. (November 1998), dredging underway.
BRIDGES: None.
APPROACHES: The artificial harbour is protected by two rock breakwater
extending 1.25 miles out into the open sea, encompassing some 750 acres
of protected waters. The distance between the breakwater entrance is 970 ft.
and in the centre of the opening a 500 ft. wide channel marked by buoys
has been dredged to 49 ft. MLW. This channel is 1.33 miles long with a 30
turn half way and marked by means of 4 lit channel buoys. North and South
Mole ends of the breakwater are marked by red and green rotating light
beacons respectively. The channel within the breakwaters gradually widens
into a turning basin whose depth towards the Iron Ore Piers is dredged to a
depth of 45 ft. MLW and 30 ft. off the General Cargo Pier.
PILOTAGE: Pilot is compulsory. Pilotage available in daylight only. Pilot
ordered through local Agent. 24 hours or minimum 12 hours notice of ETA
by VHF Channel 16.
Pilot comes out from inside breakwaters by pilot launch, displaying H
flag. Pilot will inform ship by VHF which direction to proceed to meet the pilot
launch by the Fairway Buoy. Vessels should always keep clear of the Fairway
Channel, as very large bulk carriers sail on deep draft.
ANCHORAGES: Recommended anchorage is 3 miles from breakwater
(45 60 ft.) in roadstead is to the south of the buoyed channel which provides
goods holding ground on a sand and mud bottom. Vessels are not anchored
within inner harbour except for very short periods of time.
PRATIQUE: Vessels entering must fly international code flag Q. Port
Health officials board upon berthing. Pratique automatic for vessels having
cleared at other Liberian ports, but vessel must still clear Customs.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION: ETA messages from ships are
received in the Freeport through VHF only.
The VHF is of the Marine type with Channels 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15 and 16.
Telex Address: National Port Authority - NATPORT 44275.
VHF: Vessels arriving or sailing must make contact with Freeport Control
Tower on Channels 16 and later 14 or 12 within the port area and Pilots
office and for manouvering Channel 9.
TUGS: Use of tug is compulsory. Only one tug available. Tug joins just
inside breakwater entrance. For berthing, tug lines used; for sailing, ships
lines often used.
BERTHING: Cargo Wharf: The marginal cargo wharf is 2,000 ft. long
(230 ft. leased to Amoco) and 36 ft. wide with 8 transit warehouses. The wharf
has a concrete deck and has a depth alongside of 30 ft. at MLW. All cargo
is discharged and loaded by ships gear. Sufficient amount of cargo handling
equipment is available such as forklift trucks ranging from 4 tons to 35 tons
capacity. Tractors and trailers are available. Fresh water is available by
private road tanker.
Bunker Pier: This is a T-jetty on the south edge of the dredged basin with a
depth of 34 ft. at MLW. No fresh water is available at this pier.
Port Authority Circular: October 1985.
The maximum summer deadweight of vessels allowed to berth at the
Bunker Pier should not exceed 30,000 tonnes. The vessel must be provided
with a minimum of 10 manila mooring ropes and under no circumstances will
wire mooring lines be accepted especially those from auto-tension winches.
It is also recommended that special shackles be provided by the vessels to
be used in case of any unfavourable weather that will endanger the safety
of the vessel while she is berthed alongside.
The bunker pier can accommodate vessels of max. LOA 700 ft. and draft
32 ft.
TANKER FACILITIES: See Restrictions and Berthing.
STEVEDORES: Several stevedoring companies. Port Authority handles
all cargo on shore and accepts cargo ex-ships hook only.
A daily meeting with all ships agents is conducted by the Operations
Manager regarding the arrivals and departures of ships and to arrange for

See guidelines on how to compile and submit information to us (page xi).

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Monrovia

required gangs to load or discharge ships including requests for overtime

and night work.
Stevedores gangs have to be ordered the day before required, therefore
essential for Agents to receive ETA messages in sufficient time.
Working Hours: Monday Friday: 0800 1200 and 1300 1600. Saturday:
0800 1200. Overtime is permitted at night, Sundays and Holidays if
requested.
OPENING/CLOSING HATCHES: Normally done by stevedores.
WASTE DISPOSAL: Service not available.
SLOPS DISPOSAL: Service not available.
MEDICAL: Whenever possible Masters should cable Agents if require
medical attention especially when arriving weekends or during night. Hospital
facilities available. Port Health require yellow fever vaccinations for crew
members.
FRESH WATER: Available (see Berthing).
FUEL: Light diesel oil and heavy fuel oil available and these can be blended
to specification by supplying oil company.
SERVICES: Hull, deck and engine surveys can be obtained through
Lloyds, German Lloyd, BV, Norske Veritas, America Bureau Agents and most
of the other classification societies.
Provisions are available. These include frozen, chilled and tinned food,
spirits and tobacco products. A wide variety of housekeeping items, such as
soap, paint, etc. are also available. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available
through ship chandlers.
NEAREST DRY DOCK: One very small floating dock capable of lifting
300 tons with max. draft of 8 ft. This dock is used for small coastal craft and
only accepts very limited outside work. There is also a synchrolift of about
250 tons, owned by private fishing company.
REPAIRS: Limited deck and engine repairs can be carried out by private
companies.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: Port Authority have own security force
and fire service, situated in port area. There is also an ambulance service.
GANGWAY/DECK WATCHMEN: Private security men are engaged
by the Agent. Port security also maintain regular patrol.
PIRACY: Acts of piracy have taken place at the port.
TIME: GMT.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: Many official holidays during year but cargo work
carried out those days on overtime rates. Port closes three times a year:
26 July (Independence Day), Christmas Day and New Years Day.
WEATHER/TIDES: Tides and Currents: The rise of tide varies from
2.0 ft. to 3.9 ft. from neaps to springs. The flood tide runs in a northeasterly
direction at approximately 1 knot and the ebb to the SW at approximately
1 knot. Inside the harbour a tidal flow of 0.5 1.0 knots is experienced. There
is no prediction of the directions of flow as the water circulates around the
harbour sometimes in one direction and sometimes in the opposite. The
currents along the coastline are variable and not predictable.
Prevailing Wind: The prevailing wind is west to southwest during the dry
season. A northerly wind is sometimes experienced for 2 or 3 weeks. The
stronger winds are experienced during the wet season of April to November
and during this period the average wind force is about Force 4 (Beaufort
Scale). The wind usually rises in the afternoon or early evening and falls off
during the night. During the dry season the wind is usually northerly during
early mornings and backs to the SW by late afternoon. Dangerous winds are
revolving line squalls of intense force and usually of very short duration.
Heavy rain/winds normally comes from the landside. These conditions are
considered dangerous to vessels only during the process of berthing, but
cause no danger to vessels in port securely moored. These infrequent
tornadoes occur during the seasonal transition months of March/April
and October/November.
Vessels alongside piers will sometimes experience a surge, which may
part mooring lines. This is due not to the wind, but to a swell entering the
harbour and is a condition which seldom occurs.
CONSULS: Majority of foreign countries have consuls.
TELEPHONES: There are no facilities for telephones on board.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Roberts Field International Airport 45 miles
distant. Served with daily international flights to Europe and America.
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES: Tobacco, reasonable quantities for
consumption while in port. Wine and/or spirit, as tobacco.
SHORE LEAVE: No restriction on shore leave.
REPATRIATION: Repatriation of crew is possible.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS: Not required, but Seamans Books are
endorsed aboard by Immigration.
SEAMANS CLUBS: None.
AUTHORITY: National Port Authority, Freeport of Monrovia,
PO Box 1849, Monrovia, Liberia. Tel: +231 221454, 222932. Telex: 44275.
Cables: Natport. FAX: +231 224615, 225556. Contact: Mrs E Dosen
Badio, Managing Director.

1698

Readers are encouraged to send updates/additions (see p. xi for details)