Balboa

Size limits

LOA 368.99m, beam 53.5m, draught 14.4m, 204,748DWT.

Vessels having an arrival draught exceeding 11.7m are not handled from 2 hours 30 minutes before LW until 2 hours after LW.

The maximum allowable height for any vessel entering the port of Balboa (or entering the Panama Canal) at any state of tide is 57.91m. measured from the waterline to its highest point.

Water density

1018.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range 5.0m; mean neap range 2.7m.

There are strong tidal streams at the entrance of the channel leading up to Balboa.

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

Approach

The port is approached through the Gulf of Panama, and entered through a dredged channel.

Panama Canal is entered at Nos 1 and 2 Lightbuoys, approx 1nm S of Flamenco Island (08°55'N 079°31'W); a dredged channel leads approx 4.5nm NE to the port of Balboa.

Dimensions of entrance channel: Dredging has increased the 14km Pacific Entrance Channel to a minimum width of 225m and depth of 15.5m MLWS.

Canal Entrance Leading Lights: Front light (concrete tower 8m in height) (4.5nm NW of Flamenco Island). Rear light (concrete tower, 30m in height) (2nm NW of the front light). These lights are visible only on the leading line; their alignment (322°) leads up the Panama Canal channel to the entrance to Balboa.

The approach channel to Balboa Pier 1 and Pier 2 is 12.6m (MLWS) with a safe working draught of 11.9m for Pier 1 and 11.99m for Pier 2.

A minimum under keel clearance of five 5 feet (1.52 meters) is required when Panamax Plus and Neopanamax vessels proceed between the Pacific Anchorage and Balboa Dock Nos. 16 or 17.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The approach channel to the Panama Canal is the only access into the port of Balboa so any movement in or out of the port is governed by the same rules and regulations used for the Canal. (For additional information see also Panama Canal section).

The port should be contacted at least 96 hours before arrival.

Anchorages

Vessels must anchor at the various locations listed for the port.

The NW edge of the Pacific Anchorage area starts at Lightbuoy No 1 (08°53.37'N 079°31.21'W), 1nm S of Flamenco Island and follows an NE direction up to a point approx 0.22nm beyond Roca San Jose (08°54.38'N 079°30.60'W). The anchorage area is extensive. Beyond the Pacific Anchorage area lies the Pacific Expansion Anchorage, approx 4nm SSE relative to Isla Flemenco (Island) Light (08°55'N 079°31'W).

MEC Panama - Various safe and deep draught anchorage locations, where top side repairs are performed.

Restrictions

Maximum Allowable Height: Vertical clearance of Thatcher Ferry Bridge (Bridge of the America's), 4nm NW of canal entrance, and 0.5nm S of the port area of Balboa, is 57.91m at MHW. With prior permission, on rare occasions, this may increase to 62.5m for some vessels passing Balboa at MLWS.

Post Panamax Vessels: Following the opening of new locks, the Panama Canal is now able to handle vessels of LOA 366m, Beam 49m and Draught of 15.2m. This traffic uses the main channel between the West and East side of Balboa Port, when continuing up to the Panama Canal.

Tugs

Available.

Mooring

Vessel movements at Quay No. 07 may be affected by traffic in and out of Drydock No 1.

PATSA (Rodman) Quay 1 has five fenders each side, Quay 2 has 8 fenders each side.

Quay 06: Mooring lines should be monitored at all times and lines kept tight, especially during the ebb tide when the lines may go slack. Maintaining mooring lines tight will help prevent a surge of the vessel when ship traffic moving in the Canal channel passes close to Quay No. 06.

Vessels over LOA 213.4m are not allowed to berth at Quay No 6. Vessels that are more than this and have a beam of 30.5m or more, will require prior approval from the Transit Operations Division.

Vehicle Carriers and vessel equipped with stern ramps, require prior approval from Transit Operations Division to berth at Quay No 6 in Balboa.

A large vessel mooring alongside a smaller vessel that is being used as a fender at any dock is not considered by ACP to be a safe procedure in waters under Canal control. Should the mooring require an ACP pilot, both vessels will be requested to sign ACP Form 4323 “Undertaking to Release and Indemnify” before proceeding.

Charts and publications

BA 8007, CP5. Admiralty Pilot NP7. NP286(7).

US 21603, 21601, 21605.

US Sailing Directions 153 (West Coasts of Mexico and Central America).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See 'Panama Canal' port for canal transit and electronic pre arrival requirements.

Documents

The Panama Canal Authority ("PCA") require all vessels visiting the Canal area (including Balboa) to complete PCA forms. These can be found in electronic format on http://www.pancanal.com/eng/op/forms.html.

The Authority operate an electronic Customer Services Management System (CSMS) to ensure quick and efficient communication with vessels and agents. Details can be found on http://www.pancanal.com/eng/op/csms/index.html.

It is advisable to look at the Canal Authority website for the latest information concerning documents which may have to be completed for visiting the port of Balboa.

In particular, PCA Form 4376 must be completed for Balboa (Ship Due Form).

The PCA require all container vessels visiting the Canal area (including Balboa) to complete a declaration of cargo to enable the PCA to carry out precise analysis of cargo movements at port terminals and along the different trade routes, as well as providing a means to gauge the value of service offered to customers. This information determines the tolls basis for this type of vessel as per the current tariff criteria, and must be declared using the BAPLIE file (Bayplan/stowage plan occupied and empty locations message) via the Panama Canal Maritime Service Portal.

In addition, to expedite and facilitate the boarding process, container vessels being cleared for transit will be authorized to provide Form 4510 (Container Summary for all Vessels Form), signed by the Master. The cargo shall be divided based on number of 20 feet equivalent units (TEU), 40 feet equivalent units (FEU), loaded, empties and reefer above or below deck. This information should also indicate number of units and tons of cargo. Submission of the above is required for each transit.

Forms for Exceptional Circumstances: In some instances, arriving vessels are required to complete PCA forms before berthing at Balboa or when bunkering is not normally permitted. Vessels arriving with a draught in excess of current recommended depths and draughts for berths in Balboa, or which expect to load to a draught in excess of depths and draughts recommended, are required to complete and sign Form 4323 (Undertaking to Release and Indemnify) prior to docking. Form 3821 (Mooring of a bunker vessel under compulsory pilotage by the Panama Canal Authority, alongside a docked Vessel) may also have to be completed.

Health

Radio pratique is available and should be requested in the report that should be sent 48 hours before arrival.

Notices and regulations

Vessels in excess of 300GT or over LOA 20m must be equipped with an AIS transponder. Portable transponders are available for hire.

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:

1. For Ports and Ship Registry:

Contact person: Chief of Port Security Department

Address: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Diablo Heights, Building 5534, PO Box 8062, Panama 7, Republic of Panama.

Tel: +507 232 7352

Mobile: +507 660 61057.

Website: www.amp.gob.pa

2. For the Panama Canal:

Contact person: Manager - Canal Security Division.

Address: Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Balboa - Ancon, Republic of Panama, PO Box 5413, Miami FL 33102-5413

Tel: +507 272 4646, Cell: +507 614 1941.

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Phoenix Management Service Group, Universe Security Group (London), Singapore Technologies.

RSO - Security Consultant Services: MUSC, Secure Maritime Group (St Petersburg, Florida).

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

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Panama has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Panama flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.

Repairs

Emergency repairs possible.

Dry docks

There are three drydocks:

Drydock No 1 is able to accommodate vessels up to 60,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Bunkering/fuelling a vessel at any dock from a tank vessel moored alongside the offshore side of that vessel is not considered to be a recommended practice in waters that are under the control of the Panama Canal Authority Operational Control. The Transit Operations Division Executive Manager may allow exceptions, in which case Form 3821 (Mooring of a bunker vessel under compulsory pilotage by the Panama Canal Authority, alongside a docked Vessel) may have to be completed.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Nacional, 4.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Albrook Gelabert Airport, 2.9km.

Nearest railway: Panama Canal Railway - Station Panama City, 4.4km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Balboa is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal.

The port

The majority of the port's working cargo quays are located on the East side of the Panama Canal Approach Channel (Pacific side) and are equipped to handle containers, Ro-Ro, dry and liquid bulk and general cargo. There are additional container facilities and tanker piers located in the Sub-Port of Rodman Port (formerly known as Rodman Naval Base) on the West side of the same channel. The majority of cargo passing through the port area of Balboa is for transhipment purposes (95%), with approximately 5% for import and export.

There are extensive repair facilities and bunkering and towage services within the main port area.

Traffic

Approx 23,000,000t of cargo and 4,000,000 TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Balboa?

The Panama Canal Authority and Marine Bureau provide pilotage for the port of Balboa.

What time zone is Balboa in?

Local time at Balboa is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Balboa?

The deepest berth listed is at Panama Ports Company: 14.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Balboa?

1018.

Which load line zone is Balboa in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Balboa?

Port State Control at Balboa: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Balboa?

The UN/LOCODE of Balboa is PABLB.

What crews who called at Balboa 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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