4.3.01 Location
ZIRKU Island is located in the Arabian Gulf at approximately 24° 52’N and 053° 04.1’ E at about 75 nautical miles WNW
from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The island is approximately 5 km. long and 2.5 km. wide.
A zone of very rugged hills with ridges is located in the centre and NNW with an elevated point of 163 metres and a low flat sandy and
dusty zone in the SSE.
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4.3.02 VHF Radio
ZIRKU Island is controlled by Das Port Control room.
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4.3.03 Cautions
The Umm Shaif oil field is approximately 12 miles to the NNE of ZIRKU Island.
The Zakum oil field is approximately 14 miles to the East of ZIRKU Island.
The fields, together with their associated oil and gas pipelines to ZIRKU/DAS Island, are marked upon hydrographic charts pertaining to
the area.
It is essential that vessels / boat approaching ZIRKU Island do not enter the oil field areas or anchor in the vicinity of submarine
pipelines.
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4.3.04 Service Harbour
ZIRKU Island Service Harbour is situated at the east of ZIRKU Island.
The main jetty located on the east coast of the Island is approximately 1,250 m long. The jetty has a water depth of between 2 m
and 4.5 m and is fitted with 15 bollards of 30 to 40 tons bollard pull.
The quay available for berthing is 160 m long (525’) oriented NW / SE has the main jetty breakwater, usage of which is governed by
the Port Authority / ZADCO.
The jetty is also equipped with a Ro-Ro facility for small Vessels.
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4.3.05 General Cargo Operations
Cargo Handling
Contractors have to supply the Island with their own mobile equipment to discharge vessels and barges, if not previously arranged with
Company.
As soon as the cargo handling is completed, users should remove their mobile equipment to keep the jetty area clear.
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4.3.06 Location of Cranes
Mobile crane available upon request.
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4.3.07 Bunkers
Not available.
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4.3.08 Water Provisions and Supplies
Not available.
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4.3.09 Boat
Boat entering the boat harbour are not required to hire pilotage services, but may do so by prior application to the Port Authority.
Movements of all Boat into, within or out of the boat harbour is at the discretion of the Port Authority. Allocation of berths is the
sole responsibility of ZIRKU Marine.
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4.3.10 Boat and Barges
This anchorage lies approximately 1 mile to the south, south east of the main jetty (east of island) in an area encompassed by a line
joining the following positions:
| a) |
Lat. |
24° 50.0’ N |
Long |
053° 05.4’ E |
| b) |
Lat. |
24° 51.3’ N |
Long |
053° 05.4’ E |
| c) |
Lat. |
24° 51.3’ N |
Long |
053° 07.0’ E |
| d) |
Lat. |
24° 50.0’ N |
Long |
053° 07.0’ E |
An anchorage buoy (Yellow Pillar Fl.5 sec.) marking the NE corner of this area has been installed in position:
Lat. 24° 51.3’ N
Long 053° 06.9’ E
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4.3.11 Prohibited Anchorage Areas / Cautions
To avoid the underwater oil pipelines damage, prohibited anchorage areas are defined as follows:
0.5 nautical miles on each side of the M.O.L. (Main Oil Line) input line.
0.5 nautical mile on each side of the loading lines.
0.5 nautical mile on each side of gas line from ZIRKU Island to DAS Island.
M.O.L. input line from Zakum field reaches the island in the middle of the east coast.
To keep safe navigation for ships and barges approaching the main jetty, a prohibited anchorage area has been established in a 0.5
nautical mile semi-circle from the jetty and to seaward.
Anchorage within the port limits and outside the waiting anchorage areas is prohibited. Exceptions to this may be given by the Harbour
Master.
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4.3.12 Restricted Areas
Restricted areas have been established at ZIRKU Petroleum Port. Vessels / Boat is only allowed to enter these areas for duly authorised
operational purposes. These areas are as follows:
Restricted Area No. 1
A circular area of radius one nautical mile centred on each of SPM “A” and “B” in position:
SPM “A”
Lat. 25° 00.5’ N
Long 052° 59.0’ E
SPM “B”
Lat. 25° 01.6’ N
Long 052° 59.6’ E
Restricted Area No. 2
A circular area of radius one nautical mile centred on the repeater platform in position:
Lat 25° 01.7’ N
Long 052° 55.7’ E
Restricted Area No. 3
A circular area of radius 0.5 nautical mile centred on the ZIRKU flare platform (ZFP) in position:
Lat 24° 51’32.69” N
Long 053° 02’34.4” E
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4.3.13 Fire or Explosion
- Masters of Vessels berthed at terminals are hereby advised that, in the event of a fire or explosion onboard of the vessel or on the
berth, they should order an emergency stoppage of loading / discharging operations.
- Upon the stoppage of the flow of oil through the manifold it is essential that the ship / shore loading hoses are disconnected and in
an emergency a shore gang may be unobtainable so that the hoses should be disconnected by ship’s personnel.
- The port tugs have emergency standing orders and will proceed at once to the assistance of any terminal or vessel on fire. The tugs
will hook up to the vessel’s fire wires ready to pull the vessel clear off the berth.
If circumstances permit, the vessel’s moorings should be singled up in readiness. Should letting go from the terminal become inaccessible,
the vessel should prepare to cut or slip mooring ropes and wires.
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4.3.14 Wind and Tide
Prevailing winds are from the North West. Rise of tide can be up to 2 metres but the usual variation is
1 metre. The highest average, spring high tide is about 1.4 metres above chart datum.
The lowest average, neap high tide is 1.0 metre above chart datum.
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4.3.15 Currents
At ZIRKU Island tidal currents are semi diurnal.Roughly the flood runs from west to east and the ebb runs from east to west.
Eddies are created at the vicinity of any obstacle (breakwater, jetties, etc.) especially close to the south sandy island. Currents can reach
a speed of 2 knots.
These predictions may be found to be considerably altered by strong winds, especially the shamal.
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4.3.16 Marine Operation Weather Parameters
| ZIRKU TERMINAL |
| Weather Criteria for ZIRKU |
| Berth |
Suspend Berthing |
Stop Loading |
Disconnect Hoses |
Unberth |
| SPM “A” |
25 Kts |
35 Kts |
40 Kts |
As Req’d by PPA |
| SPM “B” |
25 Kts |
35 Kts |
40 Kts |
As Req’d by PPA |
