Arica

1. Arica pilot boarding grounds Pilot boards18°27.4′S 070°20.0′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 328.46m, beam 48.2m, draught 12.50m, 128,688DWT.

Offshore: LOA 186.07m, BCM 32.25m, draught 16.10m, 51,408DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.4m. Due to prevailing SW winds there is a continuous NE going current of 1 to 2 kts in the roads.

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

Approach

The harbour should be entered from W of Peninsula Alacran, following TSS, noting Bajo Condell, consisting of sand and stones.

Port limits

The port limits are from Isla Alacran Light, 18°29'S 070°23'W, 336° for 1.5nm, then, 060° for 1nm then, 156° to the coast.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A TSS has been established in the approach to Arica. All vessels are required to participate. The scheme is IMO adopted and Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea applies. From a position W of Peninsula Alacran the track leads through the ENE bound lane of the TSS for about 6 miles then NE for about 1.2 miles to the pilot boarding area. There is also an AIS station.

All vessels transiting the VTS area should participate in the VTS.

When in the Bay and port area, all vessels should check that their AIS equipment is working. Any problems should be reported to VTS office.

Anchorages

Six designated anchorage areas are located outside the breakwaters with their centre positions as follows:

Area A - 18° 28.240'S 70° 30.360'W.

Area B - 18° 28.570'S 70° 20.540'W.

Area C - 18° 29.300'S 70° 21.090'W.

Area D - 18° 29.000'S 70° 21.300'W.

Area E - 18° 27.010'S 70° 20.210'W.

Area F - 18° 26.460'S 70° 20.580'W.

The quarantine anchorage is situated 1nm x 345° from Mole de Abrigo Light where vessel carrying explosives anchor.

Vessels using the above anchorages should note the area in which anchoring and fishing is prohibited, due to a sewer extending 1.25nm WNW from a position 1.75nm NE of Molo de Abrigo Light.

Restrictions

Mooring is by daylight only for tankers berthing on CBM's but unmooring is possible at any time. Only 1 vessel permitted to manoeuvre at a time inside the TPA basin and between TPA basin, Enapu and Sica-Sica.

Tugs

Four tugs are available via agents Ultramar. The use of at least one tug for berthing is compulsory.

For vessels over LOA 140m berthing at COMAP, 2 tugs are required.

Mooring

At the two CBM moorings there are three stern buoys fitted with open hooks. Use of wire ropes is forbidden.

Charts and publications

BA 3090, 4220, 4217, 4218. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 5 days prior to arrival. Additional ETA's should then be sent on a daily basis at 0800hrs.

The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

All vessels are required to confirm their ETA to Arica Radio one hour prior to arrival. (see Traffic Schemes Section).

Communications

Radio: Arica Radio (callsign "CBV") also operates throughout 24 hours on 500kHz and works on 8522kHz and 16663kHz.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Note: 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.

All cargo documents handled by the agent, unless Charter Party or original Bills of Lading require otherwise.

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates possible.

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 must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

Tankers are berthed in daylight only, preferably during the morning to avoid increasing SW wind in afternoons. Tankers can depart up to 2100hrs.

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 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

Mechanical and hydraulic services available locally, larger and electronic servicing from Iquique.

Main engine immobilisation possible depending on sea conditions, standby tug may be required.

Dry docks

2 syncrolift drydocks for fishing vessels, largest capacity up to LOA 45m, 700mt.

Repairs available at Astilleros Arica located approx. 18° 28.305'S 70° 19.118'W.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berths, delivery rate 10tph.

Bunkering: Diesel oil only by road tanker. DO (max 320m³) and FO (max 2,100mt) available by barge at anchor or berth.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Arica Military Clinical Center (2km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Chacalluta (13km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Arica is Chile's most N'ly port, lying on the S side of Rada de Arica.

The port

The port consists of five commercially active berths and two offshore oil terminals located N and S of the port. The port is protected by a breakwater over 1,000m in length.

There is equipment available for cargo handling with up to 100t capacity. Transportation links by road and rail are available both within the country and transhipments between Bolivia, Argentina and Peru by road, also by rail to Brazil.

Cargo loaded: Bulk minerals, metals and oil from Bolivia, fishmeal, olives and other cargoes from Chile.

Discharged cargo: Grains, fertilisers, flour, machinery and other goods.

Traffic

Approx. 3,000,000t of cargo and 170,000TEUs handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Arica?

The pilot boards at Arica pilot boarding grounds, 18°27.4′S 070°20.0′W.

What time zone is Arica in?

Local time at Arica 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 Arica?

The deepest berth listed is at COMAP Planta Arica: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Arica?

1025.

Which load line zone is Arica in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Arica?

Port State Control at Arica: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Arica?

The UN/LOCODE of Arica is CLARI.

What crews who called at Arica 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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