Antofagasta

1. Antofagasta pilot boarding area ZEP 1 Pilot boards23°38.3′S 070°25.0′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 347m, beam 48.4m, draught 11.25m, 134,869DWT

Offshore: LOA 199.99m, BCM 32.26m, draught 18m, 63,200DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean Maximum range 0.9m. Mean Minimum range 0.6m.

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

Approach

The entrance to the harbour, facing North, is 150m wide. Minimum depth inside the port varies from 9.14m to 27.4m.

A Traffic Separation Scheme has been established in the approach to Antofagasta.

From the E end of the inward bound traffic lane 23°39.5'S 070°25.5'W, the route leads NNE to the pilot boarding place.

Then; SE into the harbour, taking care to avoid Roca Paita and other dangers on the NE side of the approach, covered by the red sector of Mole Este Light and giving a good berth to the foundations of the head of Molo de Abrigo, consisting of stone and concrete blocks which only show at LW and project approx 30m.

Port limits

To the N, the parallel, approx 23°37.4'S of Rocas Abel. To the W, the meridian approx 070°24.6'W passing 0.2nm W of Molo de Abrigo light. To the S, the parallel approx 23°39'S of the root of Molo de Abrigo.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Anchorage is available in the roadstead, approx 0.55nm NNE of the head of Molo de Abrigo, 23°38.4'S 070°24.4'W, in depths of 22.0m to 37m.

Smaller vessels can anchor 0.2nm farther E in depths of approx 19.0m.

Vessels which expect to stay in the roadstead for several days are required to anchor in accordance with the instructions of a pilot. The holding ground is poor and at least 165m of cable should be veered.

Caution: These anchorages lie close to the coastline and the charted dangers which fringe it. Approaching vessels are advised to navigate with caution. Vessels using satellite navigation systems should also check their position using alternative means as an added precaution.

Prohibited anchorage is established in the entrance to Puerto Antofagasta.

Restrictions

For vessels and port safety, in all berthing and leaving, the assistance of one tug is compulsory. Vessels of less than LOA 75m do not need to comply with the above mentioned rule.

Two tugs will be required for ships over LOA 220m.

Tugs

Compulsory, for berthing and leaving. Two tugs are required for vessels LOA 220m. Vessels of less than LOA 75m are exempted.

Charts and publications

BA 4223. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

Chile SHOA 22221 and 22222.

US Sailing Directions 125 (West Coast of South America).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Chile has a National Ship Position System which requires every foreign vessel bound for a Chilean port to report its arrival at least 24 hours in advance.

ETAs Should be sent five days in advance and subsequently every 24hrs.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Note: AT = Agent, SY = Sanitary (Health) authorities, AG = Agriculture department, IM = Immigration, PC = Port Captain, CU = Customs.

The Port Captain will also wish to see the vessel's certificates and Immigration Officer will want to see all passports.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control and Exception Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters should have their national flag hoisted and must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port.

Foreign and National flag ships in any Chilean port shall have their corresponding International Call Sign on a halyard at the foremast with the Chilean flag above it.

Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine or hull painting must be authorised.

Port State Control here: Tokyo 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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Minor repairs are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Clínica Portada (0.5km), Centro Médico y Dental RedSalud Antofagasta (0.5km)

Crew change

All crew embarking crew must have a valid passport and comply with Chilean Immigration formalities.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeropuerto Andrés Sabella (25km)

Nearest bus stop: Vega Central (2.5km)

Working hours

Mon-Sun, 0800-1530hrs, 1530-2300hrs and 2300-0630hrs all year round. It is also possible to work until 2359hrs to finish and sail.

Where it is

The port of Antofagasta lies approx 2nm S and 4nm N of Ciudad de Antofagasta, and 105 miles N of Puerto Taltal.

The port

The largest port in Northern Chile, Antofagasta is a substantial sheltered artificial harbour, open to the North. A transit port for Bolivian and Argentine cargo, the harbour has seven berths, dealing with copper, minerals, containers and dry and breakbulk cargoes, with some Ro-Ro cargoes.

The oil terminals of Caleta del Cobre Norte and Fondeadero Sur are close, N and S respectively, of the port.

Traffic

2,306,250t of cargo, 70,681TEU and 244 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Antofagasta?

The pilot boards at Antofagasta pilot boarding area ZEP 1, 23°38.3′S 070°25.0′W.

What time zone is Antofagasta in?

Local time at Antofagasta is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Antofagasta?

The deepest berth listed is at Terminal Enex: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Antofagasta?

1025.

Which load line zone is Antofagasta in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Antofagasta?

Port State Control at Antofagasta: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Antofagasta?

The UN/LOCODE of Antofagasta is CLANF.

What crews who called at Antofagasta 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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