**Introduction:**
Hodeidah Port is located on the west coast of Yemen, controlling the southeastern exit of the Red Sea, approximately 150 kilometers from the capital, Sana’a, and holds significant strategic importance. As a vital gateway for Yemen, the port serves as the primary channel for international humanitarian aid. Due to the ongoing civil war, insufficient maintenance of port infrastructure has led to siltation in the waterways and reduced water depth at some berths. Security operations are managed by the Saudi-led multinational coalition.
This guide, based on practical navigation experience, provides key operational points and safety considerations for vessels planning to dock at or depart from Hodeidah Port. It covers ship maneuvering, coalition permit procedures, port entry and exit processes, and an analysis of the port environment.
### **1. Overview of Hodeidah Port Waterway and Environmental Analysis**
#### **1.1 Nautical Publications**
– **Charts:** Largest-scale port chart: BA542 (paper, UK Hydrographic Office), electronic chart: GB500542.
– **Key reference publications:**
– *Port Guide (Volume 2)*
– *UKHO Sailing Directions: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (NP64)*
– *UKHO Admiralty List of Radio Signals (NP 286(8))*
– *UKHO Tide Tables (NP203)*
#### **1.2 Port Waterway Overview**
– **Tides:** Irregular semi-diurnal tides. Mean high water springs (MHWS) ~1.4m, mean low water springs (MLWS) ~0.8m.
– **Currents:** Weak reversing currents.
– **Climate:** Tropical desert climate, prevailing southwest winds. Annual temperature range: 19–40°C. High heat and humidity with strong winds from May–September; frequent sandstorms from August–September.
– **Waterway:** From FAIRWAY buoy to Buoy No. 30 (~11 nautical miles long, see Figure 1). Dredged channel width ~200m, baseline depth ~9.4m.
– **Navigation restrictions:**
– Maximum vessel size: Draft ≤9.70m, length ≤200m.
– One-way traffic only.
– Shallow areas on both sides of the channel.
– Daytime entry/exit only.
### **2. Key Navigation Points and Safety Considerations**
#### **2.1 Pre-Voyage Preparation and Coastal Navigation**
– **Route planning:**
– Follow the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the eastern Gulf of Aden to Waypoint A.
– Navigate within the traffic separation scheme.
**Figure 1**
**Critical safety note:** After passing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, avoid routes along Yemen’s eastern coast to minimize risks of missile attacks, mines, or armed vessels by Houthi forces. **Recommended route:** Transit west of HANISH KUBRA Island toward Hodeidah.
– **Coalition coordination (mandatory):** All vessels must obtain **GREEN LIGHT clearance** from the Saudi-led coalition.
– **Process:**
1. Armed guards (typically boarding in Galle, Sri Lanka) submit ship documents to the **Evacuation and Humanitarian Operations Committee (EHOC)** via the charterer.
2. ~48 hours before arrival, the charterer/agent forwards **coalition force clearance approval** (including permit number).
3. Before entering Yemeni waters/Red Sea entrance (beyond 3nm), contact **Coalition Warship (CWS)** via VHF to report clearance details (*no alternative contact method*).
4. CWS may direct the vessel to an inspection anchorage (~16°10’N / 041°00’E) for boarding/cargo checks.
5. Alternatively, CWS may grant direct port entry approval via VHF or agent email.
**Notes:**
– If CWS does not respond, call every 2 hours and notify the agent.
– **World Food Programme (WFP) aid vessels:** Agents may request priority or exemption via EHOC.
– **No clearance/unable to contact CWS?** Wait 20nm outside port limits.
– **Maintain AIS ON at all times.**
#### **2.2 Arrival Anchorage and Channel Maneuvering**
– **Pre-arrival checks (12 hours prior):**
– Complete main engine ahead/astern tests.
– Test steering gear alarms and verify rudder angles.
– Confirm all navigation equipment is operational.
– **Anchoring:**
– Report to **Hodeidah Port Control** via VHF Channel 16.
– No designated anchorage; anchor within 2–4nm of FAIRWAY buoy (depth 10–20m, sandy bottom, moderate holding).
– **Handysize bulk carriers (fully loaded):** Recommend 8 shackles of chain.
– **Channel navigation (critical):**
– Precisely account for wind/current drift.
**Key point:** Narrow channel with shallow areas on both sides—maintain centerline.
– Continuously monitor echo sounder.
– Reduce speed (dead slow ahead) to minimize squat.
– After passing FAIRWAY buoy, report to Port Control; confirm pilot boarding (typically near Buoy No. 14).
**Risk warning:** Post-war dredging neglect has led to unreliable chart depths, shoaling, and displaced/missing buoys.
**Recommendation:** Follow electronic chart centerline and activate echo sounder. **Exercise extreme caution when fully loaded.**
#### **2.3 Berthing/Unberthing**
– **Berthing:**
– Near Buoy No. 30 (port entrance), remind the pilot to control speed.
– Turning basin diameter ~350m. Fully loaded vessels typically berth starboard side.
– **Four tugs provided (using ship’s lines).**
– **Unberthing:**
– Light vessels must turn—assisted by 2 tugs (using ship’s lines).
– **Ensure tow lines are in good condition.**
### **3. Port Facilities and Logistics**
#### **3.1 Berths and Cargo Operations (Figure 2)**
– **8 right-angle berths:**
– **Depth:** Berths 1–7 designed for 9.75m (silted); Berth 8 at 6.3m.
– **Functions:** Berth 1 (pilot/tug), 2–3 (general cargo/tankers), 4–5 (bulk grain), 6–7 (containers).
– **Infrastructure:** Fixed fenders/bollards intact. **All cranes, grain silos, and warehouses destroyed since August 2015.**
– **Operations:** Ship’s gear usable. Skilled laborers discharge 8,000–10,000 tons of grain daily.
**Figure 2**
#### **3.2 Logistics**
– **Freshwater:** ~10 tons/hour at berth ($15/ton, minimum 50 tons). Brackish—suitable only for domestic use.
– **Fuel:** Heavy fuel oil and marine diesel available.
– **Provisions:** Ordered via local agent. Vegetables expensive; fish/shrimp reasonably priced.
### **4. Key Port Entry Considerations**
#### **4.1 Documents (submit 72+ hours before arrival)**
**Required documents (strict quantities):**
1. Port clearance from last port (original)
2. Ship particulars (10 copies)
3. Crew list (10 copies)
4. Port call list (10 copies)
5. Non-contraband declaration (10 copies)
6. Bonded items list (2 copies)
7. Crew vaccination forms (2 copies)
8. Medicine/narcotics list (2 copies)
9. Sanitary certificate (copy, 1)
10. Maritime health declaration (1)
11. Medicine certificate (copy, 1)
12. Cargo manifest (14 copies)
13. Bill of lading (copy, 14)
14. Stowage plan (7 copies)
15. ISSC (copy, 1)
16. Armed guard list (1)
17. Guard passports (copy, 1)
18. Weapons/ammunition list (1)
19. Security company license (1)
#### **4.2 Customs and Officials**
– Agent will bring multiple officials aboard after berthing.
– Prepare to complete numerous forms (beyond submitted documents).
#### **4.3 Weapons Management**
– **Declare all armed guards’ weapons/ammunition.**
– Lock in bonded storage before berthing.
– Port security will inspect and seal storage—**no access while in port.**
#### **4.4 Local Laws and Restrictions**
– **Alcohol/contraband:** Store in bonded area.
– **Tobacco:** 200 cigarettes per crew cabin max.
– **Photography:** Prohibited in port areas.
– **Flags:** Yemeni flag must fly 24/7 at starboard masthead.
– **Culture:** Locals friendly; theft rare. Workers lack PPE and generate significant trash.
#### **4.5 Security and St
