Freeport Container Port offers shipping lines a 24-hour facility with the most advanced port computer systems, operational expertise and professional management coupled with state of the art security and full surveillance. The port is capable of handling the largest container vessels in the world, and aims to provide excellence in container services through the dedication of their staff and the application of leading-edge technology, by using highly advanced ‘real-time’ communications and port management systems.
Freeport Harbour General Information
ENTRANCE CHANNEL AND TURNING BASIN:
Entrance to Freeport Harbour from the sea is through a straight channel 1,800 feet in length, 500 feet in width with a depth of 47 feet at M.L.W.
The turning basin is of a trapezoidal shape, 2,000 feet in length from the entrance to the North North Eastern shore with a mean width of 1,800 feet from the Main Wharf in a West North Westerly direction.
There are no reefs or obstructions to the open sea.
British Admiralty Charts Nos. 390 and 398 depict Freeport Harbour and its approaches. U.S. Charts Nos. 26,323 also depicts Freeport Harbour and its approaches, indicating latest port expansions.
ANCHORAGE:
There is good offshore anchorage under the control of the Freeport Harbour Co., approximately 2,500 feet to the North West from the entrance channel for a distance of 1.5 miles (submarine cable in existence) which is sheltered from winter conditions, South Westerly and Northerly winds. The bottom of the sea is lime and coral rock covered by sand and loose lime.
BERTHING:
Main Wharf -1,050 feet. Water depth 32 feet at M.LW.
Basin no. 1: 700 feet x 350 feet x 600 feet. Depth 32 feet at M.L.W.
Basin no. 2: 1,200 feet x 350 feet x 350 feet. Depth 32 feet at M.L.W. This Basin has 2 ramps, 1 -150 feet wide, 2 -60 feet wide for Roll-on, Roll-off operations. Three inner berths have the edge of the ramp (-) 3 feet at M.H.W.
At the Northern side of this Basin, 600 feet of dockside has been leased to the Bahamas Oil Refining Company.
Basin no. 3: 2,500 feet x 350 feet x 650 feet – Controlling depth of 25 feet at M.L.W.
The west side of this basin is operated and administered by the Bahama Rock Company
Basin no. 4: 940 feet x 350 feet x 657 feet -Depth 32 feet at MLW.
Freeport Container port has 3,400 feet of berth
There is a barge canal in the inner harbour, and there are non-bulkhead berths available for lay ups.
The average range of tide in Freeport is 3 feet.
Fresh water may be obtained at the following locations:
Main Wharf - three connections
Basin no. 1 – Northern and Southern sides and near the ramp at North Eastern corner
Basin no. 2 – Northern and Southern side – three connections
Basin no. 4 – two connections
Barge Canal - one connection
BUNKERS:
Complete bunkering facilities are provided by Bahamas Oil Refining Co. either at the two offshore Mooring jetties referred to in 3.1.8 above, or from barges at anchor and alongside in Port. Also at Bunker Point Berth no. 2.
PILOTAGE:
Pilotage is compulsory. Every ship (other than an exempted ship, see below) while entering, leaving or making use of the Port or the waterways of Freeport, and every ship carrying passengers (other than an exempted ship) while navigating for any such purpose as aforesaid, is required to be attended by a Pilot licensed by the Port Director.
The exemptions from compulsory pilotage in Freeport Harbour are as follows:
TUG ASSISTANCE:
Tug Assistance is available from BORCO Towing Company, Smit International Bahamas and Freepoint Tug & Towing Services Limited. These companies operate as independent towage contractors within the Harbour. Towage rates are available upon request.
SHIP REPAIR FACILITIES:
Ship Repair Facilities are provided exclusively by Grand Bahama Shipyard and Bradford Marine.
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