Port guide · UN/LOCODE ER ASA
Assab, Eritrea
Eritrea · 13.00° N, 42.75° E · Also listed as Aseb
The World Port Index classes Assab as a natural coastal harbor on the Red Sea. It records a channel depth of 11 m and a cargo pier depth of 11 m. Norfolk is 11,580 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Max vessel length
- 101 m
- From Norfolk
- 11,580 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Mitsiwa Harbor460 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 101 m and a maximum draft of 10 m.
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Anchorage depth
- 14 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 10 m
- Tidal range
- 0.5 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 101 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 19 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 10 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Assab is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- No
- Engine supplies
- No
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Eritrea
- US exports, 2025
- $4.6MLed by vehicles and parts
- US imports, 2025
- $178KLed by beverages and spirits
Other ports in Eritrea
The nearest is Mitsiwa Harbor, 460 km away in a straight line.
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.