PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Baltimore
Pilot
updated Apr 2019Compulsory.
Baltimore Harbour Pilots normally board just inside the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND PORTS: Each vessel entering the Chesapeake Capes under foreign flag or carrying foreign cargo is required to employ a pilot of the Association of Maryland Pilots, which has an office in Baltimore. They provide service to any port in Maryland and service the area between Cape Henry, VA, to Baltimore. ETA should be transmitted 24 hours and 6 hours before arrival at pilot station. ETA and speed should be emailed along with draught to [email protected]. (Telephone: 410 342 6013, Fax: 410 276 1364, telex: 87 574 MARPILOTS BALTIMORE).
Maryland Pilots maintain a Pilot Tower with Virginia Pilots at Cape Henry Pilot Tower VHF Ch 11, 13 and 16.
Pilots carry a portable radio unit, which provides a ship bridge to bridge communication system to ensure navigational safety while traversing the waters of Chesapeake Bay.
THE VIRGINIA PILOTS ASSOCIATION: Has an office in Norfolk and (Telephone: 757-496-0995; Cable address VAPILOT) and provides pilot services to any port in Virginia. Vessels bound for Washington, DC may take a pilot from either association.
Inbound and outbound traffic is monitored by the Cape Henry Pilot Tower on shore just seaward of Cape Henry Light. The Pilot Tower maintains both a radar and radio watch for the area. Vessels should contact the Pilot Tower on VHF Ch 16 when they will be directed to a working frequency. Vessels are requested to contact the tower 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding area.
Pilots are dispatched from Lynnhaven Inlet by high speed, all weather boarding launches and will rendezvous with vessels at "CBJ" Buoy, approximately 3.3km ENE of Cape Henry Light.
Pilots may request a relief pilot during transit who will board the vessel at the Pilot Transfer Station located 144km northward near the Patuxent River. Under certain conditions of speed and draught, 2 pilots will be provided at the outset of the transit. Currently the second pilot is provided if the pilotage is expected to be more than 15 hours. Relief pilots are provided at no extra charge. For faster vessels the trip to Baltimore is approximately 8 hours. For slower vessels, the pilot is relieved at Cove Point which is approximately half way up the Bay.
THE PILOTS' ASSOCIATION FOR THE BAY AND RIVER DELAWARE: For the northern approach to Baltimore via the C&D Canal, pilots of this Association have responsibility for vessels from the Sea Buoy, at the entrance of the Delaware Bay, to Chesapeake City.
Maryland Pilots board at Chesapeake City to complete the trip to Baltimore.
Harbour Pilots, members of the Association of Northern Chesapeake Docking Pilots, are supplied via the tug companies to dock vessels in Baltimore Harbour.
Key data
updated Mar 2023Size limits
LOA 368.99m, beam 51.2m, draught 14.5m, 211,116DWT.
Water density
1005-1008.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.3m currents are too weak and variable to be predicted.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONSOL Energy - Baltimore Marine Terminal | 14.50 m | 300 m | 4 |
| CSX Chesapeake (Curtis Bay) | 14.50 m | 300 m | 5 |
| Seagirt Marine Terminal | 14.10 m | 369 m | 5 |
| Dundalk Marine Terminal | 13.70 m | 296 m | 13 |
| North Locust Point Marine Terminal | 12.07 m | 229 m | 9 |
| Apex Oil Terminal - Baltimore | 11.88 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Tradepoint Atlantic (formerly Bethlehem Steel Facilities) | 11.80 m | 265 m | 3 |
| Buckeye Terminals LLC, - Baltimore Terminal | 10.66 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Fairfield Marine Terminal (Masonville Terminal) | 10.30 m | 296 m | 3 |
| NuStar Terminal - Baltimore | 10.05 m | 186 m | 2 |
| AMPORTS - Atlantic Terminal Pier | 10.00 m | 232 m | 2 |
| South Locust Point Marine Terminal | 10.00 m | 232 m | 3 |
| Canton Marine Terminal | 9.90 m | 200 m | 1 |
| US Gypsum | — | 200 m | 1 |
| BWC Terminals - Baltimore | 9.75 m | 184 m | 1 |
All 29 terminals
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMPORTS Chesapeake Terminal | 9.70 m | 230 m | 1 |
| Clinton Marine Terminal | — | 291 m | 3 |
| BP Products North America Inc., Curtis Bay Terminal | 9.70 m | 186 m | 1 |
| Baltimore Metal & Commodities Terminal | 9.60 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Domino Sugars Plant Terminal | 9.60 m | 190 m | 1 |
| Hawkins Point Marine Terminal | 9.50 m | 200 m | 2 |
| Cruise Maryland Terminal | — | 301 m | 1 |
| Lafarge Holcim (Sparrows Point) | — | — | 1 |
| National Gypsum Co. | 9.00 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Motiva Terminal | 7.32 m | 38 m | 1 |
| Olin Corp. Terminal | 7.30 m | 184 m | 1 |
| Citgo Terminal | — | 38 m | 1 |
| Tradepoint Atlantic (formerly Sparrows Point Shipyard Industrial Complex) | 6.80 m | 176 m | 6 |
| Chevron - Baltimore Terminal | — | 29 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 Mar 2023Approach
The port is one of the few harbours on the East Coast to have a 15.24m (50ft) deep Access Channel and Deepwater Berth at Seagirt Martine Terminal.
Baltimore is approached from sea through channels in Chesapeake Bay from the Virginia Capes to Fort McHenry with a project depth of 15.24m and a least width of 213m. The inland route is via Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and entered through Patapsco River between Bodkin Point (39°08.0'N 076°26'W), and N Point, 3.75nm NNW, project depth 10.7m, width 122m.
The Curtis Bay Channel has a depth of 15.2m. The 122m wide section of the channel provides access to multiple facilities.
The Ferry Bar Channel (East section) has a depth of 12.8m, width 183m.
East Channel and turning basin has a depth of 14.9m, width 183m.
West Channel and turning basin has a depth of 12.2m, width 183m.
Other Branch Channels: There are several other channels which serve to connect the main shipping channels with various public facilities throughout the Port of Baltimore.
The branch channels include: West Seagrit Branch Channel; Seagrit/Dundalk Connecting Channel; West Dundalk Branch Channel; East Dundalk Branch Channel; and South Locust Point Branch Channel and turning basin.
Poplar Island: As part of an expansion project (reclaimed land) the US Army Corps of Engineers have commenced work to create an additional 232 Hectares (575 Acres) of additional land using clean material dredged from the Maryland Chesapeake Bay approach channels to the Port of Baltimore. Large rocks have been placed off the island, allowing dredged material to be placed in the sea between the shoreline and the rocks. Submerged rocks have been marked by cautionary buoys, which may not be marked on some charts. Vessels should not venture inside of these marked areas.
Port limits
North Point for arrival purposes. The limits of the port include the entire length of Patapsco River and its tributaries.
Traffic schemes and VTS
C&D Canal traffic is controlled by Corps of Engineers. No other traffic schemes exist. The Pilot Association informally manages traffic flows in and out of Baltimore.
Anchorages
These anchorages are subject to certain regulations and restrictions.
Restrictions
Depth: Approach to the port is initially made along the deep water channel in the Chesapeake Bay. Closer approach is made along the main ship channel, minimum width of 213m and a depth of 15.2m. On the northern approach, via the C&D Canal, depth is 11.7m and minimum width is 122m.
Bridges: Max vertical clearance on the C&D Canal is 41.4m (Bridge construction on south side channel, currently reduced to 38.1m, north side channel 41.1m 04/13) and, via the Chesapeake Bay, Francis Scott Key Bridge is 56.0m.
Shoaling: The Baltimore Maritime Exchange has advised that shoaling in the Upper Chesapeake channels as a result of Hurricane Sandy has been addressed and normal maximum drafts are now in effect again for all C&D Canal transits. Dredging work has been completed and subsequent surveys have confirmed that, with immediate effect, the maximum safe draught for all upper Chesapeake vessel transits is once again set at 10.05m FW MLLW.
Tugs
The city of Baltimore maintains a fire boat in case of a water front emergency.
Mooring
CONSOL Energy Coal Pier (Ship side): a new fendering system for larger vessels has been installed, running approx 215m along the pier from its end.
Charts and publications
BA 2850. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jun 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Notify Pilots 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival; designate via Chesapeake and Delaware Canal or Cape Henry plus speed of vessel and deepest draught. Notify pilots two hours in advance of arrival at the sea buoy at Cape Henry.
Standard messages
Port or terminals rarely send messages as this is the agents' responsibility.
Notice of readiness
Normal tendering is outside Cape Henry except for Amstar when it is at the pier. The custom of the port for tendering is dependent on the next business day and commencement of cargo operation.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No pre arrival pratique on direct foreign arrival. Pre arrival notice is required by the US Coast Guard and US Department of Agriculture. Until the US Department of Agriculture board the vessel at its berth, the vessel has not received free pratique. Vessels arriving coastwise have pratique on arrival.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: At a first port of entry, crews and passengers are routinely inspected by the US Department of Immigration. Visas and passports will be required or restrictions implemented depending on the individual's native country or how they arrived at port.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Mar 2023Repairs
Available. At the Baltimore Marine Ship Repair Yard, vessels up to 300,000DWT can be repaired and facilities are available for construction of both large and small vessels. Numerous companies are available to perform minor ship repairs, tank cleaning, navigational equipment repair and fumigation.
Dry docks
United States Coast Guard Yard located at Curtis Bay has one floating drydock available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Mercy Medical Center (2km).
Crew change
Crew changes can be made and repatriation arranged at port.
Transport
Nearest airport: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (15km).
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs all other hours worked as overtime.
Port labour is available throughout 24 hours. Shifts may begin at 0700hrs 0800hrs, 1300hrs, 1700hrs, 1900hrs, 0001hrs.
About Baltimore
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Baltimore is located close to the northern extremity of Chesapeake Bay in the State of Maryland, eastern USA. The port is approx 150nm from the open sea.
The port
The port is situated on the Patapsco River and is one of America's busiest deepwater ports and industrial centres. Along the 72km long shoreline there are a variety of public and private terminals.
Principal export cargoes are coal (amounting to approx half of total cargo tonnage for the port), waste paper, automobiles and light trucks.
The main import cargoes are automobiles, light trucks, farm and construction machinery, petroleum products, gypsum, sugar, alumina, salt, crude mineral substances, fertilisers and related materials and ferroalloys.
Update 13th Jun. 2024 - Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on the 26th March 2024, the channel has now officially reopened and is expected to return to normal levels of commercial shipping traffic by next month.
Traffic
Approx 50,000,000t of cargo, 1,100,000TEU and 3,500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Baltimore
What are the pilot arrangements at Baltimore?
Compulsory. Baltimore Harbour Pilots normally board just inside the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
What time zone is Baltimore in?
Local time at Baltimore is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Baltimore?
The deepest berth listed is at CONSOL Energy - Baltimore Marine Terminal: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Baltimore?
1005-1008.
Which load line zone is Baltimore in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Baltimore?
Port State Control at Baltimore: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Baltimore?
The UN/LOCODE of Baltimore is USBAL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Baltimore 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.