Ships waiting for a berth at Arzew and Bethioua cannot anchor. They drift where port control tells them. Here is how it works, and what to watch for.
In short
- Anchoring is not permitted at Arzew or Bethioua. Ships waiting for a berth drift.
- The rule comes from coastguard instructions in force since 2012.
- Call port control on VHF 14 at 10 NM from the pilot station, drift where told, wait at about 5 NM until called; the pilot boards at about 2 NM.
- Stay within VHF range of port control, and avoid the area where local fishing boats work.
Why ships drift instead of anchoring
Coastguard instructions in force since 2012 keep ships off the anchorage at Arzew and Bethioua for safety and security reasons. Ships that cannot berth on arrival are ordered by port control to keep drifting until further notice.
Béjaïa follows the same instructions. At Skikda, tankers may not anchor unless port control instructs it.
How the approach works
- At 10 NM from the pilot station call port control on VHF 14 and follow its instructions on where to drift.
- Drift until called keep drifting at about 5 NM, within VHF range of port control, until it calls the ship to berth.
- Pilot on board at about 2 NM the pilot boards in the waiting zone and agrees the passage plan with the master. Rig the ladder on the lee side, 1 m above the water.
- Berth in daytime since 20 February 2013 no ship berths or sails between 21:00 and 05:00 unless the pilots decide otherwise. Ships sailing go before ships berthing.
Fishing boats
Local fishing boats work the area 35.55–36.00 N, 000.00–000.05 W. If you can, avoid drifting there, and keep 10 miles off Kef Salamandre, which is also busy with fishing boats.
Weather and waiting
Berthing at B2 and P3 can be held up by open-sea weather: strong wind or swell. Our weather page shows wind and sea at Arzew for the next seven days, flagging the days to watch.
Security while drifting
- Keep a good watch, especially at night, and follow the ship security plan for the security level the port gives you.
- Hoist the Algerian flag on arrival at the roads; the coastguard checks it.
Questions
Can ships anchor off Arzew?
No. Anchoring is not permitted at Arzew or Bethioua. Ships waiting for a berth drift where port control tells them.
Which VHF channel for Arzew port control?
VHF 14. The terminal is on VHF 16, working 14 or 12, and the pilots on VHF 16, working 13 or 12.
Where does the pilot board at Arzew?
At about 2 NM, after port control calls the ship in from its waiting position at about 5 NM.
Calling at an Algerian port?
Send us the ship’s particulars, the cargo and the port. We reply with a PDA and the port information for your master.
Last reviewed October 2026. Port rules change: ask us for the latest before your call.