A GEOGRAPHICAL FACT - SHEET

Kandla Port is one of the eleven major ports of India and is situated at Latitude of 23 degree 01 'N and Longitude 70 degree 13 'E on the shores of Kandla creek. It is in the district of Kutch and is located on the west bank of Kandla creek which runs into the Gulf of Kutch at a point about 90 nautical miles from the Arabian Sea.

It has a fairly good depth and stable bank. The width of the channel varies from 200 metres to 1000 metres. The contour depth along the shipping channel is generally around 10 metres. The total length of Kandla Port approach channel is about 23 kms. Navigation is permitted during day & night according to the draft of the ship. Pilots board ships at OTB at least 2 hours before high tide.

In order to facilitate day and night navigation during favourable tides, required navigational aids are also provided by the port. Compulsory pilotage services are also made available to vessels for both entry and exit from the port.

Dredging is carried out throughout the year. Ships with 9 meter draft can be safely brought in the harbour for almost 330 days in a year and depending on the favourable tides ships upto 10.7 metre draft have been safely brought in.

Climate and tidal range in Kandla Port

Site Data

(a) Temperature : It varies from 25 degree to 44 degree during sumer and in winter, which is mild, from 10 degree to 25 degree C.

(b) Humidity : Relative humidity is high of the order of 70%

(c) Climate : The climate condition at Kandla is tropical and dry. Kandla falls under the scanty rainfall zoone and gets most of its rainfall between July & September.

The average annual rainfal is only 350 mm.

(d) Tides & tidal streams : The tide in the gulf of Kutch close to Kandla referred to chart datum are as follows:

The tide streams in the west approach to Kandla are in general very irregular and seem to be much influnced by a strong wind from any quarter. Within Kandla creek, the maximum flood stream rate at springs is 3 to 4 knots and on Kandla bar it is 2 to 3 knots.

(e) Monsoon : The South West Monsooon normally sets in June with cloudy skies, occasional showers and strong winds. From April onwards a South-westerly wind is predominant which becomes strong in the afternons. This monsoon weakens rapidly in September and is soon replaced by north east monsoon, the effect of which is seldom felt in Kandla.

(f) Waves : The port is protected from the waves since it is situated at teh landward end of the Gulf of Kutch

HINTERLAND

Referances