Infrastructure ( Ports )

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MONGLA PORT

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF MONGLA PORT

Mongla Port is situated at the East Bank of Pussur River near the confluence of Pussur River and Mongla Nulla at a distance of 65 Nautical miles from the Fairway Bouy situated (Lat. 21026.9'N Long. 89034.4'E) in the Bay of Bengal. The geographical position of the port Jetties is in position lat. 22026.9'N Long. 89035.57'E.

PORT LIMIT

PILOTAGE

The pilotage ground extends from the fairway bouy, approximately at position Lat. 21026.9'N Long. 89034.4'E, to the northern limit of the port (Upto a line drawn between Lat. 22038.00'N Long. 89020.00'E and Lat. 22038.00'N Long. 89040.00'E). The sharply defined "Swatch of No Ground" - the northern tip of which almost touching the pilotage ground, is a nature's boon to the mariners approaching this port. A fairly accurate position of vessels can be obtained by watching the Echo-Sounder indicating entry of vessel into the "Swatch of No ground". It is usual for the navigators making approaches from Calcutta and Chittagong to proceed between 20 and 30 metre contour which is quite well defined and converge on the northern most tip of the " Swatch of No Ground ".

The lighted Buoy painted " MONGLA FAIRWAY" and fitted with a radar reflector flashing white light every 10 seconds, makes the approach to the pilotage ground reasonably easy and safe.

From the ' fairway Buoy' to pilotage ground (Near Hiron Point) the channel is marked by 9 pairs of lighted buoys with Radar reflectors. Masters of Vessels before approaching the pilotage ground, should await instructions from the Hiron point pilot stations. Mariners are cautioned that they may have to take appropriate corrective measures as the vessels are likely to set towards North-West during flood tide.

Ship approaching Mongla Port will send their ETA and draft to their respective agents and to PORT KHULNA vis Khulna Radio ( Call sign S3E) at least 24 hrs. before their actual time of arrival at the Fairway Buoy. On receipt of the ETA directly from the ship the pilot is detailed in order of priority of arrivals. Further instructions are issued by the pilot himself on VHF. On or before arrival at the Fairway Buoy, the Master is to contact the Hiron Point pilot Station on W/T (Call sign S3K) or on channel 16 on VHF for bar crossing instructions. It must be emphasised that the instructions so received should be repeated by the ship receiving such messages. The banks of the river are stable and have continous belt of forest with small creeks at places throughout the passage upto the Mongla Harbour area. The controlling bar at the entrance of Pussur river has a minimum datum depth of 6.0 M. This sets limit to the draft of ships entering and leaving Mongla Port.

Tides and semi diurnal with spring rise between max. 2.80 M. in winter to max. 3.35 M. in Monsoon. Tidal stations at Hiron Point, Joymonirgol and Mongla are maintained for observation and record of daily tides. Unlike other reverine ports of the Bay of bengal there are no incidents of bore tides or freshets. During Monsoon the hinterland rivers are in spate and current may attain strength upto 6 knots. The bottom is mainly of mud and fine sand.

The channel is marked by buoys at various points conical shapes to be passed on the starboard hand and can shapes on the port hand when entering with the main streamof flood. Weather is mainly tropical with very mild winter with minimum temperature of 8'C and humidity 95% and during south westerly monsoon from June to August causing rainfall of average 200 cm. Tropical revolving strom is formed in the Bay of Bengal during the preceding (April-May) and succeding (Sept-Oct.) two months of Monsoon. The intensity of the strom is lost on reaching the port after crossing the coast and the Sunderbans. A common weather feature is the Norwester in the months of March and April which are typical thunder stroms of very short duration usually occuring at dusk with squally winds upto 40kts.

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AND NIGHT PILOTAGE

The navigational track in the Pussur River and its approaches are marked by the lighted buoys at various points. " Conical shape" buoys has to be passed on the starboard hands and "can shape" buoys on the port hand when approaching with the main stream of flood. Fifty one lighted buoys have been placed along the channel.

ANCHORAGE 

Mongla port consists of shore based facilities and a sheltered anchorage in the Pussur River. Depth of water available at the anchorage is max. 8.0 M. of LLWD. Distance from Mongla fairway buoy to Mongla port Jetty is 65 Nautical miles.

RESTRICTIONS

Entrance to the Pussur river is about 2 miles wide at the mouth and has a bar about 5 nautical miles from the Fairway Buoy where minimum depth is 6 m.

MAX. SIZE

Ships drawing upto 7 M. can cross the bar in all seasons. During S.W Monsoons vessels up to 8.0 M. can cross the outer bar in spring tide.

HEALTH

On arrival at the fairway buoy Master of vessels are required to send health report to Port health, Khulna via Khulna Radio.

TELECOMMUNICATION

At present coast station Khulna Radio of telegraph and Telephone Deptt. maintains 24 hrs. W/T watch 0n 500 KHz (call sign S3E). In addition to the T & T system, the port has Harbour control station (call sign S3H) at Mongla and Hiron point pilot station (call sign S3K) to maintain 24 hrs. W/T watch 0n 500 KHz. The station at Hiron Point guides incoming and out going vessels from fairway to pilot grounds and vice versa and also remains in touch with Khulna Radio, S 3 E, Mongla S 3 H and ships anchored at Hiron point for movement of pilots and Mooring of vessels.

V H F

The pilot station and Harbour control of Khulna and Mongla keep watch round the clock on VHF Channel 16.

TUGS

Three powerful Tugs including one Fire Fighting Tug are available to attend emergency & also for berthing at jetties, Mooring buoys and Anchorages.

BERTHING

8 single swinging Moorings, 21 Anchor berths & 5 Jetties are available.

DENSITY

The density of water at the Outer Bar varies from 1005 to 1025 and at Mongla from 1002 to 1015.

FRESH WATER   

Available by Barges.

FUEL

Fuel oil can be arranged in limited quantities if 48 hours advance notice is given to the respective owner/declaring Shipping Agents.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Fire Fighting Tug is available.

REPAIRS

Minor repairs can be arranged through Khulna shipyard & other private workshops.

SURVEYORS

Lloyds / NKK. P&l Club and private surveyors are available at Khulna.

DECK WATCHMAN

On receipt of orders from the Master the Steamer agents will arrange to supply necessary watchmen day and night.

HATCHES

Opening and Closing of hatches are normally carried out by the ships crew.

CARGO GEAR

Goods are loaded and unloaded by the ship's gear. Handling equipment and crane available at the Port Jetty.

REPATRIATION

Local shipping agents are responsible for arranging repatriation of the crew.

AIR PORT

Jessore Airport, which is about 117 km from the port.

TIME

Local time = GMT + 6Hours

WEEKLY HOLIDAY

Friday.

POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE

Police Telephone number 04658-222 and for other purposes Harbour Control 004658-309 and Harbour Master's Telephone No. 04031-221 (off) & 041-760625 (Res) is available.

SHORE LEAVE

Crew members of foreign vessels are allowed to disembark subject to immigration permission.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Seamans Book is sufficient for identification.

DESCRIPTION OF MONGLA PORT BERTHS