Ancona

1. Ancona pilot boarding place Pilot boards43°38.6′N 013°29.6′E

Size limits

Ancona Harbour: LOA 274.9m, Draught 10.3m, Beam 37.92m, 81058DWT .

SPM: Draught 28.9m, 317,924DWT.

Water density

1017.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

Currents: The general SE going coastal current is strong in the vicinity of Ancona. The current close inshore follows the contour of the coast, sets partly N across the harbour entrance, where its rate can exceed 3kts, and partly into the harbour basin, deflected by Molo Foraneo Nord, so that effects of the current are felt within the harbour. Then the current continues to follow the trend of the coast.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Approach through the traffic separation scheme (see "Traffic Schemes" below) established in the approaches to Ancona, and then as required to the pilot boarding place.

From a position about 13.5nm NE of Colle dei Cappuccini Light the track leads 13.5nm SW through the SW bound traffic lane, passing (with positions from cathedral dome (43°37.6'N 013°30.7'E)):

SE of API Sea Berth (7.25nm N) then:

SE of anchorage area 6T (5.5nm NNE) then:

SE of anchorage area 3BC (2nm NNW) then:

To the pilot boarding place (1.25nm NW), shown on the chart, then course should be adjusted towards the harbour entrance from where a dredged channel leads ESE through the entrance passing:

SSW of the head of Molo Foraneo Nord (0.7nm W) from which a light (red stone tower, 6.0m in height) is exhibited then:

NNE of the head of Molo Foraneo Sud (0.7nm WSW) from which a light (green tower, 10m in height) is exhibited then:

SSW of the head of a rubble spur extending S from the root of Molo Foranio Nord (0.6nm W) from which a light (red mast, 7.0m in height) is exhibited then:

NNE of Quay 23 (0.5nm WSW) from which a light (green column on pedestal, 7m in height) is exhibited then:

SSW of the head of a rubble spur extending SSW from the root of Molo Nord (0.45nm WSW) from which a light (red column on pedestal, 7.0m in height) is exhibited:

Useful marks (with positions from cathedral dome (43°37.5'N 013°30.6'E)):

Lights (red post) (0.5nm NW) exhibited from the N extremity of the reclaimed land.

Light (red post) (0.55nm WNW) exhibited from the head of the breakwater extending SW from the W extremity of reclaimed land.

Lights (structures, lateral colours) (0.15nm SW) exhibited from the heads of breakwaters protecting a small craft harbour.

Cautions: When entering harbour it is necessary to take the effects of the current into account.

It has been reported that at night, because of the intensity and multiplicity of background lighting on the shore, a danger exists of confusing the light on the head of Molo Foraneo Nord with that on the breakwater head about 0.3nm NE, and thereby approaching the shipyard instead of the harbour entrance.

A stranded wreck and a dangerous wreck lie 0.4nm and 0.45nm W of the cathedral dome respectively in the approaches to the shipyard.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A TSS has been established in the approaches to Ancona.

A separation zone has been established between the following positions:

43°42.0'N 013°39.0'E

43°38.6'N 013°30.3'E

43°38.5'N 013°30.2'E

43°41.9'N 013°39.1'E

A traffic lane for SW bound traffic has been established between the separation zone, above, and a line connecting the following positions:

43°43.9'N 013°38.2'E

43°39.3'N 013°30.0'E.

A traffic lane for NE bound traffic has been established between the separation zone, above, and a line connecting the following positions:

43°40.2'N 013°40.2'E

43°37.9'N 013°30.2'E.

The scheme at present is not IMO adopted but Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) applies. Vessels arriving at or departing from Ancona port or the roads on Ancona must follow the designated routes and use the obligatory anchorage zones.

Mariners navigating in the traffic lanes must proceed at a speed not exceeding 15kts between May 1 and September 30.

A precautionary area has been established bounded by an arc, radius 5.6nm, centred on position 43°37.7'N 013°22.5'E joining:

43°41.8'N 013°27.9'E anchoring and fishing prohibited area.

43°37.9'N 013°30.2'E lights on N extremity of reclaimed land.

This area covers the designated anchorage areas and mariners should navigate with caution.

A circular area to be avoided, radius 0.2nm, has been established, centred on an obstruction, least depth 8.0m, in position 43°40.0'N 013°28.0'E

A coastal traffic zone, 1.5nm wide, runs parallel with the coast and crosses the TSS to and from Ancona. Vessels must exercise maximum care in this area

Restrictions

Linesmen are compulsory for vessels over 500GT.

Tugs

Tugs are compulsory for all vessels over LOA 130m. There are 5 tugs available from 1,200-9,000hp. Hours: 0700-1900hrs.

Charts and publications

BA 1444. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised at least 3 days prior to arrival and confirmed 24 hours in advance to Montevecchi, Ancona, Telex: 56009. ETA to include arrival draught and if any firearms are onboard.

Vessels are required to send a "ship pre arrival security information form" by email to the harbour master directly of via agent, 24 hours prior to arrival.

Berthing services are compulsory for vessels over 500GT.

Communications

VHF: Ancona Radio (ICA): Ch 16.

Pilot: Ch 12. Tel: +39 071 54297, Fax: +39 071 200508. Email: [email protected]. Available throughout 24 hours.

Harbour Master: Ch 16, 11. Hours: 0800-2000hrs.

Berthing: Ch 16. Tel: +39 071 203228. Fax: +39 071 204353. Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 16. Tel: +39 071 202002. Fax: +39 071 2073645. Email: [email protected].

Documents

The Harbour Master's Arrival/Sailing Report must be completed and delivered to the agents, upon berthing.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

There is a customs allowance of 40 cigarettes for each crew member with a fine for non compliance.

Shore passes must be obtained when vessel berths.

Notices and regulations

Day and night movements are permitted, except for tankers.

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: Italian Coast Guard Headquarters, Legal Department.

Address: Viale dell'Arte 16, I-00146 Rome, Italy.

Tel: +39 06 590 841 87.

Fax: +39 06 596 482 93.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Several workshops/shipyards are available, the main one, Fincantieri, is suitable for vessels up to 150,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside the berths. Tugs can be ordered to supply fresh and boiler water, up to 40t at a time, subject always to towing/mooring commitments at Ancona harbour.

Bunkering: Obtainable within the harbour by road tanker and by pipeline at the tanker berths.

Medical

Civil hospital; several specialised hospitals; Naval hospital (near Calata Nazario Sauro).

Transport

Nearest airport: Falconara, 14km. Regular flights to and from Rome and Milan.

Nearest railway: Ancona.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs, 1330-1730hrs (1400-1800hrs in summer months). Shifts working hours 0630-1300hrs and 1300-1930hrs.

The Customs house working hours are Mon-Sat 0800-1400hrs.

Where it is

Ancona is situated on Italy's Adriatic coast, between Venice in the N and Bari in the S.

The port

Ancona is the only harbour between Porto di Manfredonia (41°37.0'N 015°55.0'E) and Ravenna (44°30.0'N 012°17.0'E) affording shelter or accommodation to large vessels. There is good holding ground in the bay.

The principal commodities handled are logs, timber, wood pulp, china clay, steel coils and pipes, iron scraps, coal, grains (soybeans, maize, wheat, barley, broad beans, etc), cement, trucks and trailers by Ro-Ro, containers, vegetable oil.

The entrance is N of a breakwater and shoaling may, in some instances, make towage advisable. Heavy winter seas can make the more exposed parts of the port unworkable.

Vessels using the tanker facilities may proceed to Falconara Terminal (approximately 8km NW), directly following pratique clearance.

Traffic

Approx 10,600,000t of cargo, 165,000TEU and 950,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ancona?

The pilot boards at Ancona pilot boarding place, 43°38.6′N 013°29.6′E.

What time zone is Ancona in?

Local time at Ancona 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 Ancona?

The deepest berth listed is at API Refinery: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ancona?

1017.

Which load line zone is Ancona in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ancona?

Port State Control at Ancona: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ancona?

The UN/LOCODE of Ancona is ITAOI.

What crews who called at Ancona 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.

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