Belize City

1. Belize City pilot boarding place Pilot boards17°19.5′N 088°00.0′W

Size limits

Largest vessel handled: "CFS Pagola", LOA 130m, 8,200DWT and max draught reported 7.5m from the latest audit.

Largest vessel handled: "Carnival Glory" LOA 290m, 11,100DWT and max draught reported 8.5m.

Water density

Variable.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.2m. 'Northers' lower sea levels by 0.6 to 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 harbour is approached through English Cay Channel or Southern Grennels Channel and entered through One Man Cay Channel, N of Frank Knoll (17°24'N 088°12'W). The minimum depth in the English Bay Channel is 18.2m, the access channel to King Pier is 10.0m.

Port limits

The limits are at English City Pilot Boarding Place for vessels arriving from the NE and SE approaches, and at anchor in Belize Harbour for vessels arriving from the Inner Channel.

Anchorages

Pilots should be consulted regarding anchorages.

Designated anchorage areas for various types of vessel are situated 1-3nm S of Belize City, depths 7.0-9.0m, mud clear of charted shoals.

Exceptionally, vessels of 9.8m draught have anchored 1.25nm SE of the Cay on Stake Bank (17°27.7'N 088°07.6'W), depth 11.0m, mud.

Restrictions

Kings Pier Access Channel: Access channel and turning basin are restricted to vessels LOA 122m, if fitted with bow thrusters. Vessels required to use the access channel and turning basin, which do not have bow thrusters, are restricted to LOA 90m. Vessels not required to use the access channel, being under 5.5m draught, are restricted to LOA 122m.

Tugs

Private tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 959, 1797, 1220, 522. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival. Vessels should include the following in their ETA message: Name, draught, and type of cargo.

Ship's documents may be submitted at the Authority's headquarters during normal working hours from Mon-Fri and on weekends and holidays. Arrangements must be made by 1600hrs of the preceding work days for services.

Notice of Departure forms must be submitted no later than 2 hours before departure and no earlier than 4 hours before departure.

All vessels carrying dangerous goods onboard should send a list of items or a manifest of dangerous goods onboard no later than 48 hours in advance.

Communications

Radio: Pilots calling frequency 2182kHz, working 2638kHz.

Email: [email protected].

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 12, callsign "Belize Port", 0800-17.00 hours.

Pilots: Ch 16, Tel: +501 227 2439, Fax: +501 227 3571, Email: [email protected].

Agents: Ch 06, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Notice of readiness

The NOR should be tendered approx 1 hour after the vessel is cleared by officials.

Health

Pratique is granted by the port health officer upon arrival at berth or anchorage. International Maritime Health Declaration is required.

Flags

The following flags are required: The flag of the country where the vessel is registered, the House flag, Quarantine flag and Belize flag.

Notices and regulations

Customs, the labour union and port officials should be informed when cargo is to be discharged.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (for ships).

Tel: +501 223 5026.

Email: [email protected]

Port Security Information: Belize Ports Authority.

Address: Caesar Ridge road, Belize City, Belize.

Tel: +501 227 2480.

Fax: +501 227 2500.

Mob: +501 610 5991.

Email: [email protected].

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Belize City hospital.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Belize International (10km), Philip S W Goldson International Airport.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs.

Where it is

Belize Harbour is situated at the mouth of Haulover Creek, the S arm of Belize River.

The port

The port has one alongside berthing facility, King Pier, with a Ro-Ro berth on the N face of the pier head. Larger ocean going vessels anchor between 0.6nm and 0.9nm from the quay depending on draught, loading and discharging via barges. A floating oil terminal lies 500m SE of King Pier. An increasing number of cruise vessels are handled by the port. The port also handles containers.

Exports include: Bananas, citrus fruit, clothing, fisheries products and sugar. Imports include: Building materials, consumer goods, food, machinery and petroleum products.

Traffic

Approx 180 vessels, 930,000t of cargo, 45,000TEU, and 960,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Belize City?

The pilot boards at Belize City pilot boarding place, 17°19.5′N 088°00.0′W.

What time zone is Belize City in?

Local time at Belize City is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the water density at Belize City?

Variable.

Which load line zone is Belize City in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Belize City?

The UN/LOCODE of Belize City is BZBZE.

What crews who called at Belize City 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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