PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Acajutla
Pilot
updated Sep 2010- Acajutla pilot boarding place Pilot boards13°34.8′N 089°52.0′W
Compulsory. Available throughout 24 hours.
Vessels should send ETA to agents 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance and should establish VHF contact with Acajutla Radio, 3 hours before ETA.
Pilots board at the Fairway Lightbuoy (13°34.8'N 089°52.1'W).
Note: The Chubasco season, which occurs from approx May to Oct, is a local, very violent wind accompanied by heavy rain and extensive lightning. Vessels should request the pilot to remain onboard at all times during the Chubasco season.
Key data
updated Dec 2022Size limits
Harbour : LOA 263m, beam 37.3m, draught 12.0m, 74,910DWT.
Offshore : LOA 228.5m, beam 32.3m, draught11.4m, 74,543DWT.
Water density
1026.
Load line zone
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
Tides
Spring range 2.0m, Neap range 1.2m. Speed max 2kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto de Acajutla | 12.00 m | 263 m | 8 |
| RASA Refinery (Refineria Petrolera Acajutla) | 11.40 m | 229 m | 3 |
| FSRU 'BW Tatiana' Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2022Approach
Vessels approaching from E or S should give Punta Remedios a wide berth. A landfall lightbuoy lies about 1.5nm W of the head of Pier C.
Port limits
The port limits are 5nm from the shore.
Anchorages
Vessels can anchor almost anywhere along the coast. Dry cargo vessels usually anchor 0.5nm to 1.25nm NW of Pier "C". Tankers are recommended not to anchor but to remain under way within VHF range.
Tugs
Five tugs available from 250-1,360hp.
Charts and publications
BA 1022, 1946. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).
US 21524, 21520. US Sailing Directions 153 (West Coasts of Mexico and Central America).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA has to be sent to vessel's agents as soon as possible after leaving last port. Additional ETA's to be sent after transiting the Panama Canal and 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. The message should include vessel's draught, LOA, number of cranes and capacities and cargo stowage.
Communications
Messages may be passed via Inmarsat to agencies.
Documents
No special forms are required to be completed. Copies of the documents are required by Port Health, Port Captain, Customs and Port Authority.
Health
Health clearance can be applied for on arrival or by radio. A Health Certificate and vaccination list is required.
If vaccination renewals are required they must be ordered 3 days prior to the vessel's arrival.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates cannot be renewed.
Customs: Customs allowances: Crew may have a cigarette and alcohol allowance.
Immigration: Crew and passenger passports are inspected on arrival. There are no restrictions on crew or passengers going ashore.
Flags
Quarantine flag ("Q") must be flown on arrival. Penalties will be incurred for non compliance.
The vessel's nationality and El Salvadoran courtesy flag are also required.
Notices and regulations
A permit from the Agricultural Defence Department is needed prior to importation of vegetable or animal products.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Comision Ejectutiva Portuaria Autonoma (CEPA).
Address: Apdo 2667, Edificio Torre Roble, Blvd Los Heroes, San Salvador, El Salvador.
Tel: +503 241133/+503 240881.
Fax: +503 241355/+503 529001/+503 399245.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Dec 2022Repairs
Minor only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Can be provided by private companies.
Stores: Limited quantities with 24 hours notice.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Medical Center Santa Ana, 67.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: La Aurora (Guatemala City) International Airport (GUA), 217km.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1500hrs, 1500-2300hrs, 2300-0700hrs every day except holidays.
About Acajutla
updated Dec 2022Where it is
Acajutla is situated in the SW part of El Salvador, approx 85km from the capital San Salvador.
The port
Acajutla has good road and rail connections with the rest of the country.
Cargoes handled include: General cargo, containers, LNG, solid and liquid bulk cargo and PTCC.
El Salvador is also served by Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala and Puerto Cortez in Honduras.
Traffic
Approx 7,300,000t of cargo, 300,000TEU and 700 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Acajutla
Where does the pilot board at Acajutla?
The pilot boards at Acajutla pilot boarding place, 13°34.8′N 089°52.0′W.
What time zone is Acajutla in?
Local time at Acajutla is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Acajutla?
The deepest berth listed is at Puerto de Acajutla: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Acajutla?
1026.
Which load line zone is Acajutla in?
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Acajutla?
The UN/LOCODE of Acajutla is SVAQJ.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Acajutla say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.