Barcelona

1. Barcelona boarding — N entrance Pilot boards41°20.8′N 002°12.0′E
2. Barcelona boarding — S entrance Pilot boards41°17.7′N 002°10.8′E

Size limits

Draught 15.9m, LOA 400m, beam 61.51m, 281,456DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.8m.

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

Approach

The approach to Barcelona has Traffic Separation Schemes.

A vessel should experience no difficulty in making the harbour, but caution is necessary when approaching from S. Vessels should keep to the E of "Llobregat" Lightbuoy as this marks the edge of a coastal bank which, with depths of less than 11.0m over it, extends about 0.5nm offshore in this vicinity.

The separation line for the S approach channel is indicated by Fairway Buoy 'S' and is equipped with a Racon.

The separation line for the N approach channel is indicated by Fairway Buoy 'N' and is equipped with a Racon.

South Channel: In view of the report of less water than charted in the S approaches to the entrances, large vessels are recommended to keep well E of the lightbuoy (E Cardinal) and to approach on a W'ly course before turning N for the 'S' sea buoy that marks the start of the S approaching channel. The S channel is 0.5-0.6nm wide, 1.2nm long, has a 50m LLW depth and a bottom of mud. The south entrance is approx 520m wide with a depth of 16.0m.

North Channel: Length 1.5nm, width 0.5nm and has a 30m LLW depth, bottom of mud. The north entrance is 145m wide with a depth of 11.5m.

Caution: Breakwater lights tend to get lost in the city lights and by day the breakwater is difficult to discern against the port buildings.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Traffic Scheme is operated by 'Barcelona Traffic'.

Anchorages

The roadstead off Barcelona is poor, especially in winter, and very little use is made of it.

During public holidays, a vessel may anchor S of Muelle del Contradique, in the lee of the extension to Dique del Este, but the space is limited and during strong onshore winds the anchorage may be crowded with small sailing vessels seeking shelter.

In winter, winds from between NE and SE, accompanied by rain, send in a heavy sea. Gales from the S, though not frequent, cause much damage in the roads and port; but both are somewhat sheltered should the wind be W of SW.

During the winter, the wind is likely to change its direction very suddenly, causing a cross swell and sea in the anchorage.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring and fishing are prohibited owing to the presence of submarine cables and pipelines in an area, extending up to 2nm offshore between the S entrance and Rio Besos about 6nm NE. It is most important to avoid damaging a natural gas submarine pipeline which is laid in the central part of this area.

Restrictions

A speed limit of about 4kts is in force in the port.

Tugs

There are 8 tugs available; between 4,000hp and 6,866hp. Linesmen assistance is available on request from the Pilot Station or through agent.

Charts and publications

BA 1180, 1195. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 24 hours prior to arrival. Information to include draught and requirements, also notify of any changes to the initial ETA.

One hour and 2nm prior to arrival the fairway buoys vessels must contact Barcelona Traffic VHF Ch 10 and Barcelona Pilots VHF Ch 14.

Communications

VHF: Port: Tel: +34 93 508 8282. Available 24 hours.

Cruise Terminal: Tel: +34 93 412 7914. Fax: +34 93 317 3169. Email: [email protected]. Available 24 hours.

Barcelona Pilots: Ch 14. Tel: +34 93 225 6052. Fax: 34 93 224 0014. Email: [email protected]. Available 24 hours.

Barcelona Access Channel & Anchorage Control: Barcelona Traffic: Ch 10. Tel: +34 93 263 3233. Available 24 hours.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered on arrival at the pilot station. The master must be aware of Charter Party conditions.

Documents

Documentation for clearance: Any standard form acceptable. All documents to be delivered to customs and immigration authorities.

Health

Free pratique granted on berthing without previous application.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate may be renewed.

There are special health regulations which apply in emergencies only. Any illness/health hazard should be notified to the port authorities immediately.

Customs and immigration

Officials board vessels on arrival and clearance takes normally 15-20 minutes.

Flags

Flags are required to be displayed in accordance with International Code of Signals. The port will impose penalties for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Masters should be aware of stevedores shifts and times of changing to avoid harbour dues on idle time.

If special operations are to be carried out, such as hot work, diving, hull painting etc, permission must be obtained from the port authorities, through the agent, at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

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

Repairs

There are extensive deck and engine repair facilities available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Numerous hospitals and clinics are found in the city.

Transport

Nearest airport: El Prat, 5km.

Nearest railway: Most quays are connected to the national rail system.

A dual carriage road connects the various wharves around the port and provides connection to the AP-2, AP-7, AP-9, C-31, C-32, and C-58 highways.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, worked in 4 shifts.

Where it is

Barcelona is situated approximately 500km E of Madrid and is the largest Spanish port on the Mediterranean coast.

The port

The port is formed by breakwaters, the main breakwater running N to S with a total length of over 4,230m. This provides protection against SE'ly gales. The secondary breakwater runs E to W and is about 510m in length. The water area of the harbour is over 18,000,000m² and the total length of quayage is over 22km.

Imports: Natural gas, oil products, soya beans, cereals, coal, iron and steel products.

Exports: Cement, clinker, potash, packaged chemicals, iron and steel.

Barcelona also handled a large volume on container traffic and cruise vessels.

Traffic

Approx 68,000,000t of cargo, 3,700,000TEU, 8,000 vessels and 5,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Barcelona?

The pilot boards at Barcelona boarding — N entrance, 41°20.8′N 002°12.0′E. Barcelona has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Barcelona in?

Local time at Barcelona 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 Barcelona?

The deepest berth listed is at Tepsa Terminal: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Barcelona?

1025.

Which load line zone is Barcelona in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Barcelona?

Port State Control at Barcelona: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Barcelona?

The UN/LOCODE of Barcelona is ESBCN.

What crews who called at Barcelona 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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