PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Alicante
Pilot
updated Oct 2013- Alicante pilot boarding place Pilot boards38°18.5′N 000°28.2′W
Compulsory for vessels of 500GT and over. The pilot station is situated at the SE corner of Antepuerto. Pilots board in position 38°18.54'N 000°28.15'W, or in bad weather nearer to the breakwater head. The pilot boats are white with a black "P" on both sides, by day they display a black flag with a white "P". Pilotage is available 24hours.
Key data
updated Mar 2024Size limits
LOA 344.5m, beam 43m, draught 14.5m, 85,005DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk Terminal | 14.50 m | 229 m | 6 |
| Terminales Maritimas de Sureste (TMS) | 14.00 m | 238 m | 4 |
| Passenger Terminal | 8.50 m | 345 m | 3 |
| Fishing Terminal | — | — | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2018Approach
The port is entered from the S through an unmarked channel dredged to 14.0m LLW from a position close W of the breakwater the dredged channel leads NE between the SE face of reclaimed land and Dique de Ambrigo de Levante. A light is exhibited, from a green and white framework tower 9.0m in height on the SW end of Dique de Ambrigo de Levante. The harbour is orientated to the W with a width of 293m at the entrance mouth.
Anchorages
Anchorage available off Puerto de Alicante, for larger vessels, weather permitting, not less than 0.2nm E of the pilot station in depths of 11.0m or more. The holding ground is good.
Reserved anchorages have been established (with positions from the light at the head of Dique de Abrigo de Levante (38°19.8'N 000°29.3'W):
For vessels over 5,000t or vessels carrying dangerous cargoes (2nm ESE).
For vessels less than 5,000t (0.8nm ENE).
In winter, with strong NW winds, vessels often drag their anchors if too far out. Rada de Alicante is most exposed to ESE winds.
Prohibited anchorages: Two buoys (black and yellow conical) mark the end of a submarine outfall 0.2nm S of the elbow of Dique de Ambrigo de Levante.
A submarine gas pipeline extends from the shore to a Lightbuoy (38°18.2'N 000°30.4'W).
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 469, 473, 1700. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jun 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of 24 hours is required for clearance which is carried out in accordance with European Union regulations.
Communications
Alicante Contact Information
VHF: Ch 9,11,12, 14, 16, 20 or 22
Telephone: 34-965-130095
Facsimile: 34-965-130034
Email: [email protected]
Pilots
Call sign: Alicante Practicos
VHF: Ch 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20 or 22
Telephone: 34-965-130095; 34-629410369 (mobile)
Facsimile: 34-965-207924
Email: [email protected]
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Puertos del Estado (Ministerio de Fomento)
Title: Coordinador de Proteccion Portuaria
Address: Av de la Marina, 3, 15001, A Coruna, Spain
Tel: +34 98 121 9618
Fax: +34 98 121 9607
Mob: +34 630 957875
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2018Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available at Quay No 11 by pipeline.
Stores: Available.
Medical
General Hospital in Alicante, 3.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Alicante Airport, 13km.
Nearest railway: The berths are all connected to the national network.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs, 1400-1800hrs. Sat 0800-1200hrs. Overtime by arrangement.
About Alicante
updated Jan 2025Where it is
Alicante is situated 70nm S of Valencia.
The port
The port mainly handles passengers, grain, cement, dry bulk, containers, break bulk and liquid cargos.
Traffic
Approx 3,200,000t of cargo,200,000TEU, 900 vessels and 359,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Alicante
Where does the pilot board at Alicante?
The pilot boards at Alicante pilot boarding place, 38°18.5′N 000°28.2′W.
What time zone is Alicante in?
Local time at Alicante is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Alicante?
The deepest berth listed is at Bulk Terminal: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Alicante?
1025.
Which load line zone is Alicante in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Alicante?
Port State Control at Alicante: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Alicante?
The UN/LOCODE of Alicante is ESALC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Alicante 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.