PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Aviles
Pilot
updated Dec 2016- Aviles pilot boarding Pilot boards43°36.9′N 005°57.6′W
Pilotage available 24hrs/day, compulsory for vessels over 500GT, contact Corporacion de Practicos. Vessels exceeding LOA 130m require 2 pilots.
Pilots board in position 43°36.8'N 005°58.2'W. Call pilots 2 hours before arriving at boarding area on VHF Ch 12 and confirm ETA at 3.0nm from the port.
Key data
updated Aug 2021Size limits
LOA 229m, beam 32.6m, draught 14.58m, 83,353DWT.
Water density
1016 to 1019.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Max range 4.0m springs, 3.1m neaps, max recorded current 2.25kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valliniello Terminal | — | 200 m | 1 |
| Raices Terminal | — | 225 m | 2 |
| San Juan de Nieva Terminal | — | 229 m | 2 |
| Alcoa-Inespal Terminal | — | 89 m | 1 |
| Cruise Terminal | — | 196 m | 1 |
| Arcelor-Mittal Terminal | — | 180 m | 1 |
| Fish Terminal | — | 168 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2021Approach
There is an entrance fairway with length 920m, width 103m, and a max depth of 12.8m (BMVE). The outer estuary mouth has a width of 160m and a max depth of 11.5m (BMVE). Sea bed is of sand, hard clay and rocks.
Port limits
The port limits are 2nm from river mouth.
Anchorages
Large anchorage area clear of port approaches at a distance of 1nm to 1.5nm off entrance. Notify pilots before anchoring. Holding ground sand and rocks, area exposed to bad weather. Bajo El Aguin anchorage (1nm W of entrance) not recommended, as vessels reportedly lie beam-on to the swell due to local current.
Tugs
Three tugs available. "Joaquin Ruira" 3,600hp, "Joan Miro" 2,725hp, "Pau Casals" 2,650hp.
Charts and publications
BA 1142, 1290. US Publications 143. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Advise ETA 72, 48, 24 and 2 hours prior to arrival. Confirm again when 10nm from the port and instructions will be given. Message to include vessel's name, last port, cargo, date/hour of arrival and draught on arrival.
Communications
Radio: Bilbao to the E of the port and Radio La Corunna to the W.
Coastal Station: Cabo Penas Radio at 43°39'N 005°51'W. 2013kHz/2182kHz. All medium wave coastal stations listen continuously on 2182kHz.
VHF: Pilot Office: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +34 985 566856. Fax: +34 985 566433. Email: [email protected].
Notice of readiness
Present on arrival. If at anchor telex/cable agent, if alongside hand to agent.
Documents
Oil residues declaration (Annex I, MARPOL 73/78). Forms provided by the agent.
Cargo documentation: Bill of Lading, TC-12 normal for EU traffic. Cargo from outside requires Cargo Manifest. Clearance is normally obtained before the end of operations, with warning order for tugs and pilots needed 2 hours beforehand.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) renewed.
Customs and immigration
Immigration formalities only applicable for crew changes. Name, passport details and full flight details have to be provided.
Notices and regulations
Entry of vessel's more than LOA 220m is authorised by the port authority, but only in exceptional circumstances.
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 May 2010Repairs
There are repair facilities available. Divers also available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from all berths at minimum 10tph.
Bunkering: Available at fishing quay, and San Juan de Nieva west quay. Also by road tanker.
Medical
Available at Aviles, 2km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Asturias, 7km.
Nearest railway: There is an interior network with access from San Juan de Nieva Railway Station.
Working hours
At "Acelor Mittal" (San Augustin) berth, throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week, Sundays and holidays included.
All other quays, 0800-1700hrs and 1400-2300hrs.
About Aviles
updated Apr 2020Where it is
Aviles is located on the Ria de Aviles Estuary on the central N coast of Spain.
The port
A large commercial, fishing and leisure port, with the commercial berths located at the NW and SE corners of the main reach (Canal Pedro Menendez).
Imports: Zinc concentrates, aluminium ore, ammonia, coal and tar.
Exports: Sulphuric acid, coke, zinc, bobbins, steel profiles, glass and fertilisers.
Traffic
Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 800 vessels and 4,500 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Aviles
Where does the pilot board at Aviles?
The pilot boards at Aviles pilot boarding, 43°36.9′N 005°57.6′W.
What time zone is Aviles in?
Local time at Aviles is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Aviles?
1016 to 1019.
Which load line zone is Aviles in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Aviles?
Port State Control at Aviles: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Aviles?
The UN/LOCODE of Aviles is ESAVS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Aviles 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.