PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Bar
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and for all vessels carrying chemical or flammable cargoes, and is available day or night. Pilotage for tankers is only available in daylight. Pilots board in Barsko Sidriste close E of P Lightbuoy (red conical) moored about 1nm WNW of W breakwater head, from a launch, with white deck house, black hull and white letter "P" on both sides.
Key data
updated Apr 2026Size limits
LOA 345.5m, beam 32.26m, draught 43.0m, 91,439DWT.
Water density
1025 (Summer), 1028 (Winter).
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range 0.3m; mean neap range negligible. Minor (CCA 30cm). Outside the harbour the current sets NE at approx 0.5kts. Winds from NE and SE increase the rate in the entrance. Within the harbour currents set counter clockwise at a rate of 0.2-0.5kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obala Volucija Terminal | 13.00 m | 235 m | 6 |
| Container Terminal (Gat 1) | 12.00 m | 223 m | 4 |
| General Cargo Terminal (Gat 2) | 11.50 m | 346 m | 6 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2026Approach
From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position in Barsko Sidriste, the harbour is entered from N by passing between the W breakwater and the head of the N breakwater.
Anchorages
Safe anchorage, but exposed to the W, can be obtained as convenient in Barsko Sidriste 1.3nm NW from Rt Volujica Light.
Anchorage is prohibited E of a line joining Rt Volujica (42°05.3'N 019°04.5'E) and Ratac (42°07.3'N 019°03.9'E).
Restrictions
Tankers may enter or leave the harbour in daylight and in favourable weather conditions only.
Tugs
There are 2 x 1,600hp tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 186, 196, 1578. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
All vessels should send ETA 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Ch 06, 14, 16.
Notices and regulations
Special regulations are in force within the oil terminal for oil tankers and for vessels carrying other flammable cargoes, and should be obtained from the Harbour Master's office. Tankers may enter or leave the harbour in daylight and in favourable weather conditions only.
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: Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Maritime Safety Department.
Address: Cetinjski Put BB, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
Tel: +382 30 303360.
Fax: +382 30 313274.
Mob: +382 69 333252.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2016Repairs
Minor repairs only undertaken. Nearest major repair yard is at Bijela.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Small quantities available.
Bunkering: Small quantities of fuel oil and diesel oil available.
Medical
Polyclinic Dr Zejnilovic, 2.4km, The Bar Medical Centre, 4km and Meljine Hospital, 81.4km.
Transport
Ferry links, some seasonal, to other Adriatic ports.
Nearest airport: Podgorica Airport located at Podgorica, 52.2km and Tivat Airport located at Tivat, 59.3km.
Airport facilities: Tivat, 10km (International and domestic facilities).
Nearest railway: Bar, 80km (freight and passenger).
Working hours
Shift 1: 0700-1400hrs. Shift 2: 1400-1830hrs. Shift 3: 2000-0600hrs (firemen and security crew). Overtime 1430-1830hrs and by arrangement.
About Bar
updated Apr 2026Where it is
Bar lies on the SE corner of Barsko Sidriste, on Adriatic coast.
The port
Bar is the main commercial harbour in Montenegro, handling all types of vessels, including large tankers, bulk carriers, container carriers, general cargo and ferries. Principle cargoes handled are general, grain, petroleum and derivatives, chemicals, containers and Ro-Ro.
Within the breakwaters there are a number of moles and quays affording deep water berths. The entire harbour has been dredged and there are depths of 10.0-14.0m in the manoeuvring area.
Traffic
Approx 1,730,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Bar
What are the pilot arrangements at Bar?
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and for all vessels carrying chemical or flammable cargoes, and is available day or night.
What time zone is Bar in?
Local time at Bar is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Bar?
The deepest berth listed is at Obala Volucija Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Bar?
1025 (Summer), 1028 (Winter).
Which load line zone is Bar in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Bar?
Port State Control at Bar: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Bar?
The UN/LOCODE of Bar is MEBAR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Bar 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.