3001- APPROACHES TO CHENNAI(MADRAS)

Topography
Chennai (Madras), (13° 06'N, 80° 18'E) the capital and seat of Government of the State of Tamil Nadu, is the Major harbour of the Coromandel Coast and the third largest port in India; it lies close to the sea on a low sandy coast exposed to heavy surf. With its suburbs the city extends N along the coast for about 12 miles from the mouth of Adyar River. The City of Chennai is 368 years old.
Kuvam, a small river, flows through the city but its mouth is usually closed, except in the rainy season. The Bukingham Canal runs along the coast and utilises the backwaters with which the whole coast is fringed. Chief exports are iron ore, barites, other ores, granite, stones, textiles, tobacco, sugar etc; Chief imports are food grains, chemical manure including phosphate, iron and steel materials, cement, chemicals, mineral oils,vegetable oil, coal, machinery timber, sulpher, paper and stationary.
Developments.	
The following works were completed in 1985-86.
The Bharathi Dockhas been deepened to receive 1,50,000 DWT ore carriers
The East Quay (North) end 200m is reserved for the Navy and Coast Guard operations, it consists of three berths each for Naval  and Coast guard ships.Future development works include replacement of existing old slipway with new cradle/winches.
Chennai Light (13º 02'.3N, 80º 16'.8E) is exhibited from a triangular RCC tower (red and white bands), 46m in height ½ mile NNE of Saint Thomas Cathedral. A racon (K) transmits from the lighthouse.

Port Limits.
To the North. A line running from a point which is 20m N of a position 13° 07' 58".8N, 80° 17' 57".9E to position 13°09'. 00N, 80° 20'. 00E and a line running from a point in position 13° 09'N, 80° 20' E to a point in position 13° 09' N, 80° 22' E.
To the South. A line running from a point in position 13° 03'.9N, 80° 17'.25E to a position 13° 03'N, 80° 20'E and a line from a position 13° 03'N, 80° 20'E to a position 13° 03'N, 80° 22'E, provided always a triangular portion of land in No. 1803 of Vepary Division be excluded.
In the East. A line connects the eastern extremities of the above, described North and South boundaries, i.e. from the position 13° 09'N, 80° 22'E to a position 13° 03'N, 80° 22'E
Arrival Information.	ETA of vessels should be signaled at least 48 hours in advance. All vessels arriving from foreign ports have to request for pratique by radio addressed “Quarantine Chennai” not more than 12 hours or less than 4 hours before ETA.
When approaching the harbour limits or when anchored in the roadstead, vessel must keep a look-out for Signal Station situated at the harbour office and contact the port control on Channel 16 MMB. 
Anchorage
Outer Anchorage Chennai roadstead (13º 06' N, 80º 10' E) is exposed to all offshore winds; there is generally a swell from seaward, causing vessels in the roadstead to labour or roll considerably. A second anchor should be ready for letting go and anchors should be buoyed.
 Vessels which are not been berthed on arrival should anchor South of latitude 13° 06' N. They should not anchor within Pilot Boarding Areas No 1 or No 2, which are shown on the chart, without permission from Port Control.
The Dangerous wreck with mast visible of MV Deccan Pioneer lies in position about 9.7 cables SE end of Eastern Breakwater. Another wreck lies S of the outer arm Breakwater light at a distance of 4.8 cables 
A cable area in which anchoring and fishing is prohibited lies in the S approaches to the harbour the limits of which are shown on the chart.   
The Anchorage lies  2 miles ENE of the harbour in a depth of 18 m, the holding ground is good with a coarse sand bottom.
The new outer arm, 1004m long provides better shelter at the outer anchorage.
A Number of submarine cables lie between the mouth of Cooum and Adyar River. Anchoring and fishing is prohibited in this area.
At night it is advised that vessels should not approach into depths of less than 16m without pilot.
Spoil Ground
A spoil ground is centered 1.88 miles N of the outer arm light, another spoil ground lies 1.2 cables SEE of the outer arm light.
   An examination anchorage area is enclosed by a line joining the following positions:
13° 08' 55" N, 80° 19' 30" E
13° 08' 55" N, 80° 21' 30" E
13° 07' 10" N, 80° 21' 10" E
13° 07' 10" N, 80° 19' 30" E
13° 07' 27" N, 80° 19' 15" E
Pilotage 
Pilotage is compulsory. No merchant vessel is to enter/leave or shift from one berth to another without a pilot on board unless authorized to do so in writing by the Deputy Port Conservator.
Licensed Pilots are available throughout the day and nights.Vessels of less than 230 m length should embark the pilot in waiting area No 1 situated 10.5 cables E of the harbour entrance; those of more than 230 m in length should embark the pilot in waiting area No 2
situated 3.15 miles ENE of the harbour entrance as demarcated in the approaches chart. Vessels should not approach or anchor in the waiting area unless directed by the port control. Vessels which are not getting pilot on arrival should anchor south of latitude13º 06'N.
Vessels requiring pilots fly flag ‘G’ of the International Code of Signals by day and a white light in a conspicuous position on board by night. Port Signal Station can also be contacted on VHF channel 16.
Pilot Launche scan be easily identified from painting of the word ‘Pilot’ on them. A strong and efficient pilot ladder must be provided.
Master of the vessels are cautioned not to approach so close that insufficient room is left for the pilot to maneuver the vessel for entering the harbour.
Traffic Signals
Only one vessel may enter or leave harbour at a time. Vessels about to enter the harbour display pendant 4 and when leaving flag ‘N’ of the International Code Signals at the fore-yard arm. These signals are displayed only when the pilot is on board. 
A black ball displayed from the Port Signal Station indicates that a vessel is getting underway to leave harbour. Vessels approaching the port should remain clear of the breakwater head to give sea room to such vessel.
The system of signal in use in the port is given in “Regulations for the Port of Chennai” issued by the Harbour Office.

Chennai (Madras) Harbour
Chennai (Madras) Harbour is protected from N and NE by Northern Breakwater and Eastern Breakwater which extends 2½ cables SE thence 3½ cables SSW from a position 2¼ miles NNE of Fort Saint George's Flagstaff. The harbour is protected from E and SE by East Quay and new outer arm which extends 11½ cables NNE from a position 1 mile NE of the same flagstaff. A light is exhibited from the head of new outer arm. Georgetown, the commercial center of the city, stands immediately behind the harbour. The harbour entrance channel is maintained at a depth of 18.6m and length of the channel is about 3.14 miles. The depth of outer channel is 19.2m. The width of channel gradually increases from 244m to 410m at the bent portion and then maintains a constant width of 305m. The port could accommodate vessels up to 274 m length overall and up to 16.2 m draught.  


2		Length of Breakwater

Inner Harbour
Eastern breakwater	1325m
Northern breakwater	575m
	
Outer Harbour	
Eastern breakwater	590
Northern breakwater	460m
Outer arm	1000m
Upper Pitch Revetment	950m
	
Port Entrances	
Entrance in Bharathi Dock	350m
Entrance in Dr. Ambedkar  Dock	125m

Bharathi Dock, the N part of the harbour is protected by a breakwater, extending SE then S from the shore. The harbour is entered between the elbow of this breakwater and the head of new outer arm; there is a turning area immediately inside the entrance. The dock and turning area are dredged to depth of 17.4m and 18.0 m respectively.
A light is exhibited close S of the head of the E breakwater protecting Bharathi dock.
Oil terminal berths with alongside depths of 17.4 m are situated on the E side of Bharathi Dock for tankers up to 280.4 m long with a draught of 16.5 m.
An iron ore berth with a depth of 17.4 m alongside and with fully mechanized handling facilities is situated at the NW corner of the dock; it has a handling capacity of 8000 tons per hour; plans exist (1990) to deepen ore berth, turning circle and the approach channel to accept bulk carriers up to 170 000 dwt.
A fully mechanized container terminal having four berths with 14m depth lies close to NW of the north pier. The facility can handle upto 10 million TEU   (20 foot equivalent units) annually. 

	Parking Area - 15 hectares
	Ground slots - 3960Max.
	Stacking height – 5
	Reefer facilities - 270 points - 220V 

Handling facilities at Container Terminal: 

Quay Cranes 	2 nos. – 40 Tons 
EFLT	6 Nos. – 2.5 Tons 
DFLT 	1 No. - 5 Tons 
Reach Stackers 	1 No. 
Prime Movers 	62 Nos. 
Empty Container Handler 	1 No. - 10T 
Inner Harbour. The S part of the harbour, forming the inner harbour, is protected by East Quay. The entrance to the inner harbour lies between the North Pier and a spur projecting from East Quay and is 122 m wide with a depth of 9.4 m. A light is exhibited at each side of the entrance.
Jawahar Dock, 518m in length and 135m wide lies S of the inner harbour; the entrance to Jawahar Dock lies through the middle of the South Quay.
Berths at West Quay are numbered from N to S and at South Quay from W to E.  In Jawahar Dock berths are numbered from N to S, odd numbers on the W side.
At West Quay there is a fixed 60-ton crane at the crane berth; also two 5ton and thirteen 3tontraveling cranes. South Quay is equipped with one 30ton and one 10ton traveling crane and two 5ton cranes.  
At South Quay there is a fixed 50 ton capacity crane at berth 1; also three 8 ton and three 10 mobile cranes West Quay is equipped with ten 5 ton mobile cranes. In Jawahar Dock three 8 ton and three 10 ton capacity cranes are available. Twenty 3 ton,  three 4 ton mobile, 15 ton and two 10 ton capacity mobile cranes, 16 ton, twelve 3 ton and one 5 ton capacity fork  lifts are available.
There is a floating crane with a capacity of 120 ton. All quays are connected with the general railway system and except for the East Quay, have facilities to handle and store goods of any description. 
Chennai (Madras) Fishing Harbouris situated 1 mile N of Bharathi Dock; the harbour, which is well sheltered by two extensive breakwaters, provides berths for up to 5000 pablo boats and 50 fishing trawlers. 
t is proposed to construct an outer harbour adjacent to Bharathi Dock and the fishing harbour; NE and SE of these areas respectively.  It is planned that theouter harbour will have 12 berths.The berths at Jawahar Dock are being planned to handle car carriers once the coal operations are completely moved to Ennur port. 
The modernised West Quay berths will initially handle dry bulk cargo and later on would be converted to handle container traffic. 
As and when Iron Ore is shifted from Chennai Port, Ore berth can also be converted to cater to the future projected traffic of container cargo. Similarly, the berths at South Quay will initially handle dry bulk cargo with an option to switch over to container handling at a later date. 
The Government of India through National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is looking into various alternative proposals for connecting the Chennai Port to the state/national highway network. These projects will however have to be dealt with by the State Government and its Agencies, as the role of the Port Trust is limited in this regard.
Second Container Terminal at East Quay likely to be in operation by end 2007.
Repairs to hull and machinery can be undertaken.  A patent slip in the boat basin of length 185.01m can take vessels up to 980 tons. The lighter-age fleet can handle about 1,000 tons per day.
Supplies
Large stock of Furnace fuel and marine diesel (heavy) are available; these can be supplied at North Quay, West Quay and South Quay at a rate of about 100 tons an hour.  At least 48 hours notice is required.  Marine diesel (light) can only be supplied at West Quay.  A small quantity of Diesel Oil (High Speed) can be supplied in barrels at a week’s notice.
Fresh Water is available only by barge and water trucks at all berths.  

Regulations
No ballast may be thrown overboard in Chennai in depths of less than 22m.  Chennai (Madras) Port Trust has strict pollution control checks inside the harbour; and inspection of all vessels entering Chennai Port is being carried out.
Crude oil washing of tanker is permitted if the system conforms to the standards laid down in the IMO regulations.
Painting of hull is permitted.
Explosive.	The master of any vessel arriving at Chennai roadstead with IMDG cargo on board must give 24 hours prior notice to the Port Control.
Communications 
There is a regular sea communication with all parts of the world and air communication with Mumbai(Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Kochi(Cochin), Hyderabad, Karachi, Colombo, Singapore, Jakarta and Sydney from Chennai airport, It is 12 miles from the city. There is ample rail/road communication to all parts of the country. The port is well connected to national highway and the railway terminal is situated within 3 miles.
There are coast and port radio stations at Chennai; call sign VWM. VHF communication with the Port Signal Station is available on channel 16 with working channels 10 and 14 open round the clock to transmit and receive berthing and other operational messages.
Storm and Weather Signals.	Storm Signals are displayed at the Storm Signal Station situated on the SE corner of North Quay; the extended system is used.
Early warning weather radar is installed on the Port Administrative Officer Annex building and weather forecast is broadcast twice daily.
On the warning signal being displayed, masters of vessel at anchor within the limits of the port are required to attend to the following directions:-
	(i)	Not to be absent from their vessels between 	sunset and sunrise.
	(ii)	To be ready to proceed to sea at short notice.
	(iii)       To proceed to sea without waiting for instructions to do so should they deem such    a course prudent under the circumstances.
On the danger signal being displayed, the Master of each vessel will take such measures for the safety of his vessel as he may consider requisite; no further instruction on that point will be furnished by the port authorities.
Master of vessel must use their own discretion whether to remain in the harbour or proceed to sea in cyclonic weather. Preference to mooring berths will be given to vessel with bulk cargo, i.e. coal, grain, ore etc; and those vessels which have broken their cargo.
Climate and Weather 
The climate of Chennai is generally hot throughout the year, the hottest period being from May to July. The Chennai coast is normally frequented by the cyclones during the month of May and November and they usually commence with the wind between NNW and NNE. The wind direction shifts E if the port is in the left hand semi-circle. From the middle of April to the middle of December low powered vessels or those difficult  to handle should anchor well out, if they do not enter the harbour, and should be ready to proceed to sea to gain an offing before the wind shifts to NE and E, when it may be possible to get away. It is advisable to weigh anchor and proceed to sea when weather becomes foul, vessels remaining at anchor are likely to be driven ashore in gale force winds.

Currents 
The following details of the Chennai coast apply particularly to the vicinity of Chennai. In January, the current sets SW at a rate of 1 to 1½ knots, but is irregular; in February it is N, parallel to the coast, 1½ knots; in May from 1 to 2 knots; in June variable. In July and August it is sometimes S and weak; in September S and SW and strong; in October, S, along the coast and strong; in November and December, SW and S along the coast strong 2 to 4 knots.
Surf.	The surf of Chennai, N and S of the harbour, breaks at about 120m from the beach in fine weather but at about 180m in squally weather. During gales from E the surf breaks at nearly 250m from the beach. With the wind offshore the surf is often very high and in the form of one heavy roller. In ordinary weather the waves are from about 1 to 2m in height but during bad weather from 3 to nearly 4m.
Port Authority	is exercised by the Deputy Port Conservator.  Chennai Port Trust on behalf of the Indian Government. Chennai is ISO 9001 – 2000 Certified Port and ISPS Compliant Port.

Port of Chennai
1 Rajaji Salai
				Chennai-600 001
				Tamil Nadu
				Tel- 25312 600/25362201
				Fax-25361228
				E-mail- info@chennaiport.gov.in

Caution
When navigating the Coromandel Coast N of Chennai great care is necessary because currents are very variable both in rate and direction and sometimes may set towards the land.
