TRISTAN DE CUNHA

• SHTDC
• Latitude: -37.1143
• Longitude: -12.2779
• South Africa
• Port in St. Helena

Location: Tristan da Cunha St. Helena St. Helena

Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, roughly midway between Africa and South America. It is part of a British Overseas Territory along with Ascension Island and the island of St. Helena, often collectively referred to as Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

Marine Port Description and Specification: Tristan da Cunha

General Information

• Geographical Location: Tristan da Cunha is situated approximately equidistant from Cape Town, South Africa, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Coordinates: Approximately 37° 6′ S latitude and 12° 16′ W longitude.
• Population: The island has a small population, usually fewer than 300 residents, primarily concentrated in the settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas.

Facilities and Infrastructure

• Harbor Type: Due to its remote nature and rough sea conditions, the island does not have a large-scale commercial port. Instead, it has a small, basic harbor used primarily for fishing vessels and limited transport of goods and passengers.
• Docking: The harbor area consists of a small pier for the mooring of small boats and fishing vessels. Larger vessels typically anchor offshore, and cargo and passengers are ferried to land by smaller boats.
• Facilities: Limited port facilities; mainly basic infrastructure including a jetty, crane, and small storage areas. No significant warehousing or container facilities.
• Navigation: The approach to Tristan da Cunha’s harbor can be challenging due to the rugged coastline and often adverse weather conditions. Charts and navigational aids are minimal.

Services

• Cargo Handling: Mainly manual and rudimentary due to the lack of advanced port infrastructure. The basic crane and manpower handle the loading and unloading of supplies and materials.
• Fuel: Limited refueling facilities are available. Vessels needing large quantities of fuel will generally not use this harbor.
• Provisions: Basic provisions can be supplied locally, but the selection is generally limited and more focused on necessities rather than a wide range of goods.
• Repairs: There are no significant ship repair facilities on the island; only minor repairs can be undertaken.

Usage

• Fishing: The harbor is most actively used by the local lobster fishing industry, which is a significant activity on the island.
• Passenger Transport: Occasional limited passenger transport services using small boats or ships from South Africa or St. Helena Island.
• Research and Supply Vessels: Occasionally visited by research vessels and supply ships to bring essential goods and aid.

Connectivity

• Communication: Limited but functional communication services are available. Satellite communications are generally used due to the island's remoteness.
• Access: There is no airport on Tristan da Cunha. Access to the island is entirely by sea, typically via irregularly scheduled supply ships or private yachts.

Conclusion

Tristan da Cunha’s harbor serves as a lifeline for its small community, enabling the importation of essential goods and materials and supporting the local fishing industry. However, the port facilities are minimal and not suitable for large-scale commercial shipping. The geographic isolation and challenging weather conditions make the harbor mainly suitable for local and specific-purpose vessels.