PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Bordeaux
Pilot
updated Apr 2015Vessels at anchor waiting to go upriver should request the Pilot 6 hours in advance.
Pilot Gironde should be contacted 3 hours in advance on VHF Ch 14 before arriving at "BXA" Lightbuoy, stating vessel's name, position and destination and ETA at the "BXA" Lightbuoy.
Masters that have visited La Gironde at least 3 times in the last 12 months carrying dangerous or hydrocarbon substances, radar assistance will not be compulsory.
When conditions do not allow the Pilot to board at sea, only vessels of less than LOA 120m not carrying dangerous or hydrocarbon substances can have radar assistance by agreement with the Harbour Master.
Vessels which cannot have radar assistance may, on request 6 hours in advance, embark the Pilot at La Pallice Roads (1nm S of the Chauveau Lightbuoy (46°06.6'N 001°16.0'W)).
Pilots board by pilot vessel or helicopter about 1nm E of "BXA" Lightbuoy 1 hour before to 5 hours after low water at Cordouan (45°35.3'N 001°10.3'W).
For vessels less than LOA 120m, the Pilot boards at Lightbuoy 13a (45°35.7'N 001°04.2'W) when there are W'ly winds of less than 27kts, a swell less than 3m and visibility more than 1nm. Radar assistance is needed in these conditions.
On departure or for movements within the port and anchorages, from 3 to 6 hours notice (depending on location) must be given to the pilot's office at Bordeaux.
Key data
updated Feb 2021Size limits
LOA 250m, beam 36.5m, draught 10.0m, 84,806DWT.
Water density
1000-1026.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Verdon Terminal | 12.50 m | 152 m | 2 |
| Bassens Terminal | 10.50 m | 238 m | 13 |
| Les Docks des Petroles d'Ambes (DPA) | 10.00 m | 215 m | 2 |
| Shell Terminal (Pauillac) | 10.00 m | 200 m | 2 |
| Yara/EPG Terminal | 10.00 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Bordeaux Cruise Terminal | — | 250 m | 4 |
| Pauillac Terminal | 8.00 m | 179 m | 1 |
| Cobogal Terminal | 8.00 m | 125 m | 1 |
| Blaye Terminal | 7.00 m | 165 m | 3 |
| DPA Terminal | — | 180 m | 3 |
| Grattequina Terminal | — | 170 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 Aug 2014Approach
Passe de L'Ouest is dredged to a depth of 12.5m below chart datum. It allows access to the port for vessels of 12.0m draught.
Gironde Channel has minimum approach and harbour depths of 7.0m and a width of 150m.
Port limits
The port of Bordeaux is divided into two sections by Pont de Pierre de Bordeaux (44°50.4'N 000°33.7'W) (Km 0), a stone bridge with numerous arches and the limit of navigation for ocean going vessels, from which:
Port Maritime extends 10km downstream to include the berths at Bassens on the E bank of La Garonne; and
The river port extends upstream as far as Ile d'Arcins.
The lower limit of the port, Km 21, also includes the oil terminal at Le Marquis (Km 20).
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Buoy "BXA" (45°35.5'N 001°26.0'W) area, approx 2nm SW from the entrance of Passe de L'Quest Channel (Buoy Nos 1 and 2), 35.0m depth.
Le Verdon (45°34.0'N 001°03.0'W), 16.0m depth.
Inner anchorages: Le Verdon or Suzac Roads.
Restrictions
Arrival before HW slack is recommended so that vessels can berth bows N and thus avoid the need to swing ship on departure, which is always taken on an incoming stream.
Night berthing/unberthing is possible.
Tugs
Four tugs are available, three of which are "Pomerol", "Moulis" and "Margaux", all 25t bollard pull.
Ambes Oil and Chemical Products Terminal: Tug compulsory for tankers over 10,000DWT and gas carriers over LOA 120m.
Pauillac: Tug compulsory on arrival and departure for vessels over 10,000DWT. Two tugs required for vessels with draught over 9.5m, this may be reduced to one for vessels which are frequent callers or have an operational bow thruster.
Mooring
Pauillac: Maximum current alongside 5 to 6kts. Berthing and unberthing during night. Berthing always 1 hour before HW with vessel port side alongside. Unberthing at slack water HW and LW.
Vessels arriving with over LOA 140m shall have as a minimum on focsle and poop winches capable of accommodating two 56mm shore breast wires and have a minimum of six pairs of mooring bits fore and aft. Vessels with LOA between 100m and 140m required to accommodate one shore wire each end. Two boatmen from shore assist with shore wires.
Charts and publications
BA 3068, 3069, 2900, 2916. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2014ETA and pre-arrival notices
Requests for pilots: Report ETA at "BXA" Landfall Lightbuoy (45°37.0'N 001°28.0'W) to Capitainerie du Port de Bordeaux, Tel: +33 5 56 90 59 34, Fax: +33 5 56 90 59 96, Email: [email protected], 24 hours in advance.
Confirm ETA and report speed and draught to Le Verdon Pilot's Office and Port Bordeaux 12 hours in advance. Amend ETA if it changes by more than 3 hours.
Communications
VHF: Bordeaux Port Contol: Ch 16, 12.
Pilots Bordeaux Office: Tel: +33 5 56 74 25 00. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.pilotagegironde.com
Le Verdon Office: Pilotage Gironde: Ch 16, 14. Tel: 33 5 56 09 63 85.
Port Authority: Tel: +33 5 56 90 58 00, Fax: +33 5 56 90 58 77, Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
Inshore Pilotage: Tel: +33 5 57 80 15 30.
Helicopter: Ch 16, 14. Call: Papa Golf (PG).
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.
Health
Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the berth.
Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates is possible.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits. Heavy fines will be incurred for non compliance of these allowances.
Visas are required for non EU citizens, who wish to join or leave the vessel. All passengers to be declared, separate from crew.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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
Position: Head of Sea Defense.
Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France
Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30
Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53
Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Repairs of all kinds are available. Divers available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available. Approx rate 20tph.
Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers can be delivered by road tanker.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Bordeaux.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bordeaux (Merignac), 100km.
Nearest railway: Bordeaux (Saint Jean), 100km.
Airport facilities: National connections. There are limited crew change and airfreight facilities.
Working hours
Stevedoring every day, except Sat, and holidays (morning 0720-1200hrs, afternoon 1400-1800hrs) or by shifts (from 0600-1400hrs and 1400-2200hrs).
On Sat from 0700-1400hrs. Every day possibility of 1 hour overtime for ships due to sail (completion hour). In some cases, possibility of working on Sat afternoon (mainly citrus cargoes and container ships). At Le Verdon: Throughout 24 hours, 365 days/year.
About Bordeaux
updated Jan 2021Where it is
Bordeaux-Le Verdon is located at the mouth of the River Gironde on the W coast of France.
The port
The total length of berthage offered by the port is 9,681m. Main imports are refined products and main exports are cereals.
Traffic
Approx 6,800,000t of cargo and 60,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Bordeaux
What are the pilot arrangements at Bordeaux?
Vessels at anchor waiting to go upriver should request the Pilot 6 hours in advance.
What time zone is Bordeaux in?
Local time at Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?
The deepest berth listed is at Le Verdon Terminal: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Bordeaux?
1000-1026.
Which load line zone is Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?
Port State Control at Bordeaux: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Bordeaux?
The UN/LOCODE of Bordeaux is FRBOD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Bordeaux 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.