Bilbao

Size limits

LOA 347.06m, beam 60m, draught 17m, 318,744DWT

Water density

1025 (1016 at Sefanitro Berth).

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range, 4.3m springs, 1.3m neaps.

At the head of El Abra de Bilbao strong winds from SW or NW raise the water level by 0.5m; gales from between NE and S lower the water level by 0.5m.

In the river NE winds tend to reduce the range of the tide and S winds tend to increase it.

In the entrance the outgoing stream attains a rate of 3kts at springs, 1.5kts at neaps; the ingoing tidal stream is weaker.

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

Approach

The depths are subject to siltation; for latest depth information contact Port Authority.

Traffic Service and Regional Rescue Co-ordination Centre: Bilbao Traffic (MRCC BILBAO): Three hours before arrival it is compulsory for a vessel to call Bilbao Traffic on VHF Ch 16 and to keep "dual watch" on Ch 16 and 10, requesting information about by-law procedure particulars and weather information service: Even hours (UTC) + 33 minutes.

Port limits

Port limits are 2nm off Punta Lucero breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There are port traffic separation schemes or traffic control systems in the approaches to Bilbao Port. Report at any time. Any hindrance to navigation, damaged navigational aids or marine pollution must be reported to Bilbao Traffic (VTS) through VHF Ch 16 or 10, Tel: +34 94 483 9411.

Anchorages

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in the manoeuvring area between Dique de Zierbena and Contradique de Santurtzi.

Crude, LNG and oil product carriers should also keep in close communication with the Refinery Terminal Superintendent about their positioning and particulars. In general, ships that are requested to wait due to berthing schedule or tide level when bound up river, may receive instructions from pilot to anchor inside the port area.

Restrictions

Puente de Vizcaya, the transporter bridge close within the river entrance, has a vertical clearance of 45m beneath the superstructure.

The river is best navigated at HW during daylight.

Restricted areas: Lie adjacent to the port approaches, close N of the elbow of Dique de Zierbena and parallel to the coast between Punta Galea and Contradique de Algorta. Entry to these areas should not be made without reference to local regulations.

Tugs

Tugs must be ordered through the pilot service, although it is also possible to contact directly through VHF Ch 12.

It is compulsory to use tug lines for larger tugs (4,500hp).

LNG Vessels: 4 tugs required for berthing and unberthing.

Mooring

The pilot's office controls the berthing of vessels, allocates anchor berths and provides information on shipping movements within the port.

Mooring launches are normally employed for berthing but their use is not compulsory.

To berth at Santurtzi Piers, it is not necessary to have high tide unless the vessel has a draught of more than 12.0m.

To proceed up river vessels have to wait until 1 hour before HW, unless vessel has 4.5m draught or less.

Punta Lucero berths, Punta Ceballos berths and Punta Sollana berths: Vessels less than 20m draught can berth at any time; vessels of deeper draught normally berth in the period lasting 2 hours either side of HW.

Charts and publications

BA 1104, 1173, 1174, 1292. Spanish 941, 942, 394A, 3941. US Charts 143. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's should send ETA via agent 72, 48 and 6 hours prior to arrival.

Petronor Refinery: Vessel's are requested to send ETA 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance via agents or directly by fax.

Communications

Radio: Short wave communication link through Aranjuez Radio and Pozuelo del Rey. Medium wave communication link is through Machichaco Cape Radio and Penas Cape.

Satellite communications are possible.

Other coastal stations in the vicinity operating on the same calling channel are Santander Radio, Cabo Machichaco Radio and Pasajes Radio.

VHF: Bilbao Pilot: Ch 12, 06, 16. Tel: +34 94 496 0311, Fax: +34 94 472 0417. Email: [email protected].

Bilbao Traffic: Ch 10, 16. Tel: +34 94 483 9411.

Vigia Puerto Bilbao: Ch 12, 13, 16.

Petronor Refinery: Ch 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 16. Tel: 34 94 636 5291. Fax: +34 94 636 5332. Email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

Notice of Readiness is normally tendered when the vessel reaches the outer breakwater or, in the case of anchoring, at that time. Refer to Charter Party.

Documents

Forms in respect of Nos 10 and 11 will be provided by agent on berthing.

Health

Health and customs authorities will board either when vessel is at anchor or berthed. Customary national and international regulations concerning free pratique are applied. Unless there is contagious sickness onboard or vessel is coming from an epidemic zone, radio advice to health authority is not required.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate issued.

Documents Required by Health Authorities: Health Declaration, Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Crew List.

Customs and immigration

Crew members are not allowed to keep more than 200 cigarettes or equivalent in tobacco and a 1 litre bottle of spirits out of bond. The rest must be included in the vessel's store list and is to be sealed.

The max quantity of tobacco that any ship can carry in accordance with the Spanish laws is 6kg for each person onboard. Any quantity over this amount should be recorded as "tobacco in transit" and passed by the Spanish Consulate at the previous port. For vessels diverted to a Spanish port or if a Spanish Consulate was not available at last port of call, the master is requested to send a cable to Direction General de Aduanas - Madrid, prior to arrival at Bilbao stating the tobacco manifest was not cleared at last port of call. It should be entered in the log book and a copy sent to custom's agent when boarding.

Flags

Vessel must fly the ship's national flag and the Spanish flag, normally at forward mast. Vessels requiring pratique must fly Interco "Q" flag when entering port.

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

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at Santurtzi-Zierbena and Zorroza berths, the rest by barge.

Bunkering: All grades available ex quay, barge and road tanker at Santurtzi-Zierbena Terminal and by pipeline at some berths. LNG berth barge only, rate 300-400tph, not permitted during discharge operations.

Medical

Bilbao, 15km and Portugalete, 3km from outer port, throughout 24 hours, Tel: +34 94 487 1266 (emergencies).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bilbao, 15km from outer port; Vitoria, 60km from outer port. Daily connections with most Spanish airports and many European main airports.

Nearest railway: Bilbao, 15km from outer port. Left river banks are linked by railway.

Nearest highway: A-8 motorway linking Santander and France; A-68 motorway linking Bilbao to Zaragoza.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Bilbao is situated on the N Spanish coast with the port extending 10.7nm up the River Nervion.

The port

Bilbao docks are over 18km in length stretching along the Nervion River out to the outer breakwater (Pte Lucero).

Principle imports are crude oil, LNG, iron ore, pyrites, scrap iron, pig-iron, coal, grain and soya beans; principal exports petroleum, iron and steel products.

Traffic

Approx 32,000,000t of cargo, 423,000TEU, 2,600 vessels and 280,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bilbao?

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500GT entering and leaving the port of Bilbao.

What time zone is Bilbao in?

Local time at Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

The deepest berth listed is at Petronor / Punta Lucero: 18.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bilbao?

1025 (1016 at Sefanitro Berth).

Which load line zone is Bilbao in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bilbao?

Port State Control at Bilbao: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bilbao?

The UN/LOCODE of Bilbao is ESBIO.

What crews who called at Bilbao 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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