Chattogram Outer Anchorage Navigation: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Movement Order

Practical position. Alpha holds deep-draft vessels at outer anchorage; Bravo and Charlie take the shift once workable draft frees deep-draft space. Pilot cut after a missed tidal window locks the next move for another 12 to 24 hours under the current instruction.

Chittagong Port's outer anchorage covers a 5.6 nautical mile radius west of the Patenga light beacon (Lat. 22°13.54′ N, Long. 91°48.2′ E). Currents, tides and draft restrictions all play a role here, and the Port Authority publishes detailed guidance that every Master should review before arrival. Queue position, berth prospect, permissible draft (confirm with current CPA/pilot guidance for date and LOA), pilot boarding and cargo-working conditions can change with the latest CPA notice, tide, traffic, equipment, labour and receiver readiness.

Three Anchorage Zones

Anchorage A, the northern anchorage used under the current CPA assignment, including eligible deeper-draft vessels. Anchorage B, the middle anchorage generally used for vessels ready for inward movement under the current port programme. Anchorage C, the southern anchorage commonly used for lighterage and vessels awaiting a later inward programme.

Tidal height and transit time vary with season, vessel condition, traffic, pilot boarding point and the assigned anchorage. Use the official tide table, pilot advice and the Master’s passage plan for the intended movement.

Currents & Seabed

Strong seasonal currents and the soft-mud seabed require engine readiness, a proper anchor watch and prompt action if the vessel begins to drag. The Master must use current charts, weather and tide information, vessel-specific under-keel-clearance calculations and Port Control or pilot instructions rather than a generic current speed, bearing or dragging direction.

Draft Limits

Permissible draft and movement limits are issued by CPA for the relevant period and may change by notice. Recent 2026 port-limit notices allowed up to about 10.0 m for eligible vessels, subject to LOA, tide, pilot advice and daily permission. Masters must use the latest CPA notice and sailing order rather than the historic 9.14 m and 8.53 m figures.

Key Navigation Rules

Movement timing is set by the current CPA sailing order, tide, traffic and pilot programme; confirm the intended window with Harbour Master or Port Control. Both anchors with full chain length must be ready for use at all times while entering or leaving port. Report anchoring time and position to Port Radio Control on VHF channel 12 immediately on arrival. Observe pilot and Port Control instructions, maintain safe passing clearance and do not cross another vessel’s bow where current or traffic makes the manoeuvre unsafe. Vessels arriving for demolition should anchor north of Lat. 22°16′ (north of Alfa Anchorage). Admiralty Charts No. 84 (Approaches to the Karnafuli River) and No. 859 (Elephant Point to Matla River) should be consulted before arrival.

Cyclone Signals and What They Mean for Vessels at Anchorage

Bangladesh's main storm risk windows are April–May and October–November, either side of the June–September monsoon, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department uses an eleven-point signal system specifically for maritime ports, separate from the four-point system used for river ports inland. The early signals (1–2) simply mean a system has formed out in the bay and bears watching; by Signal 3–4 the port itself is considered threatened, and from Signal 5 upward the expectation shifts to vessels seeking shelter or putting to deep sea rather than riding it out at anchorage.

In practice, once Chittagong's signal reaches the danger range, the Harbour Master's instructions on whether to remain at anchorage, shift position, or proceed to deep water take precedence over a vessel's own schedule. We monitor BMD bulletins alongside the Port Authority's own advisories during these windows and pass on instructions as soon as a signal change affects vessels we have at anchorage.