PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Albany
Pilot
updated May 2018The Hudson River Pilots Association are the sole agency licensed by the State of New York to service ports and terminals along the Hudson River. It provides 24hrs a day, 365 days a year service to the Port of Albany/Rensselaer. The Hudson River Pilots can handle any type of vessel up to max. LOA 229m, beam 33.5m, draught 9.4m and max. waterline to masthead height of 41m.
Key data
updated May 2018Size limits
Draught 9.4m, LOA 237.74m, beam 41.14m, 40,641DWT.
Water density
Fresh Water.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range between 1.0m and 1.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem Energy Center | 9.70 m | 238 m | 1 |
| Federal Marine Terminals - Albany, NY | — | — | 5 |
| Global Partners - Albany Terminal | — | 198 m | 1 |
| Rensselaer Marine Terminal | 7.31 m | 183 m | 1 |
| Sprague - Albany Terminal | — | 168 m | 1 |
| National Gypsum - Rensselaer Gypsum Plant | — | — | 1 |
| Buckeye - Albany Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Buckeye - Rennselaer Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Citgo Terminal - Albany | — | — | 1 |
| Glenmont Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Innovative Surface Solutions | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2018Approach
The entrance channel has a depth of 9.7m, least bottom width of 122m, with a turning basin of 335m.
Anchorages
The restricted width of the river is not sufficient to allow vessels to swing at anchor except in an emergency.
Restrictions
There are a number of railroad and highway bridges spanning the Hudson River between the port of Albany and New York. The least vertical clearance at MHWS is 40.85m. Depth of water is 9.75m at mean LW.
Tugs
Available from the Moran Towing Corporation.
Charts and publications
BA 2670. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16 and 13.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated May 2018Repairs
All types of repairs can be undertaken, except those requiring docking for which there are no facilities.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Bunkering for deep draught vessels is normally obtained in New York. Diesel is available for small vessels.
Medical
Albany.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Albany County Municipal Airport, 19km.
Nearest railway: Albany.
Nearest Road System: I-787 road system.
Waterways: The Champlain Canal System and the Erie Canal, which connects the port with the Great Lakes.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available on request.
Federal Marine Terminals - Albany NY typically operate on a Monday through Friday schedule. Operating hours are 0800 - 1700hrs. Terminal is closed Saturdays and Sundays unless prior arrangements have been made.
About Albany
updated Apr 2019Where it is
Albany is situated on the W bank of the Hudson River, approx 123nm N of New York.
The port
Albany is a port of entry, the terminus for deep draught vessels on the Hudson River and an important shipping port. There is year round navigation and the port has deep draught facilities on both the E and W side of the river.
The principal cargoes handled are petroleum products, grain, molasses, scrap iron, forest products and heavy lift project cargo. The port has specialised in the importing, handling, processing and storage of cocoa beans and is well placed to serve the grinding plants in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Canada.
Deep water facilities are located on the Albany (W) and Rensselaer (E) sides of the river.
Traffic
Approx 327,561t of cargo and 72 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Albany
What are the pilot arrangements at Albany?
The Hudson River Pilots Association are the sole agency licensed by the State of New York to service ports and terminals along the Hudson River.
What time zone is Albany in?
Local time at Albany is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Albany?
The deepest berth listed is at Bethlehem Energy Center: 9.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Albany?
Fresh Water.
Which load line zone is Albany in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Albany?
Port State Control at Albany: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Albany?
The UN/LOCODE of Albany is USALB.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Albany 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.