The shipping platform

Location: Berbera is situated on the N coast of Somalia, in the SW corner of the Gulf of Aden. General overview: The port is formed by a low sandy spit to the N which acts as a breakwater for the quay to the S. Entrance width is about 800m, with depths between 16.4 and 18.3m, decreasing to 11.0m off the berths. Two anchorages, inner and outer, provide safe anchorage and also act as pilot boarding areas. Imports include cotton goods, sugar, rice and dates. Exports include skins, ghee, gum, sheep and goats. Container berth includes a 25 m x 25 m Ro-Ro platform. 5 conventional berths handle general, containerized and bulk cargo. Traffic figures: Approx 240,000t cargo handled annually. Load line zone: Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31. Max size: Draught: 9 m at low tide and 13 m at high tide; tankers limited to LOA 165m. The largest vessel called at the port: LOA: 329 m, draught: 11,5 m, deadweight: 58,743 t.