PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Buenaventura
Pilot
updated Aug 2010- Buenaventura pilot boarding place Pilot boards03°47.7′N 077°19.1′W
- Buenaventura punto de embarque de pilotos prácticos (CP1) Pilot boards03°48.4′N 077°21.2′W
Compulsory for all domestic/foreign flag vessels over 500GT, for entering/departing, as well as shifting between berths and available 24 hours. Pilot boards at Fairway Buoy (03°47.7'N 077°19.1'W) or between Buoys No 1 and No 2, 1.2nm E. Vessels must arrange a pilot ladder 1m above water level on portside.
For pilotage contact Spilbun (private port operator) on VHF Ch 16.
No helicopter service.
Key data
updated Jun 2024Size limits
LOA 368.5m, beam 51.2m, draught 13.9m, 204,150DWT.
Water density
1007 - 1014.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 4.0m.
Tidal streams are regular, the outgoing stream setting out of Rio Buenaventura at a rate of 3kts. The first of the ingoing stream sets from N at a rate of about 1kt.
Tidal streams at the anchorage attain rates of 2.5-3kts.
Caution: Owing to strong tidal streams and the shifting nature of the banks, buoys are frequently dragged from their station and therefore their charted position can not be relied on.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buenaventura Terminal | 13.90 m | 369 m | 13 |
| Terminal de Contenedores de Buenaventura (TCBUEN) | 13.30 m | 367 m | 1 |
| Almagrario S.A. | — | 200 m | 1 |
| Compas Cascajal | 9.80 m | 232 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 Jun 2024Approach
The approach is through Bahia Buenaventura, Rio Buenaventura and entered between Isla Cascajal and the mainland N.
Outer Approach: Sea Buoy, position 03°47.5N 077°18.9'W.
Inner Approach: Channel length 17nm, width 200m, with 33 buoys and depths of 10.5m LW to Punta Soldier and the inner bay, width 160m, where depths are 12.5m LW.
The entrance channel, Rio Buenaventura, leads round the NW end of Isla Cascajal, the alongside berths are all along the N side of that island.
Port limits
The port limits extend to Buoy No 1, positioned at 03°47.5'N 077°18.9'W.
Restrictions
Pilots will only bring vessels in before 2200hrs, sailings may be carried out at any hour.
Depths in the entrance channel over the bar are subject to change owing to sedimentation and periodic dredging. The least charted depth over the bar is 6.3m. During low tide there is a limit of 10.0m in the entrance channel.
Caution: Sand-bars sometimes build up across the channel in the vicinity of No 5 and 6, and NW of No 13 Lightbuoys.
Draught permitting, it is advisable to enter the buoyed channel or leave an alongside berth at 1 hour after LW, or 2 hours after HW.
Tugs
Compulsory for all vessels over 2,000DWT. For vessels over LOA 150m pilots may request a second tug. There are 4 tugs available.
Mooring
Four lines each, fore and aft.
Charts and publications
BA 2318, 2319, 2257, 2258; Colombian 760, 153, 149. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to the pilot station 72, 48, 24 hours and 12 hours in advance to the port captain and the agent. Message should contain the quantity of cargo destined for the port, draught, number of passengers (disembarking or in transit), whether dangerous or inflammable cargo is carried, if so what quantity (and any other data considered useful in accordance with international regulations).
Communications
It is recommended to send all messages direct to the vessel's agent by telex or fax. Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Port: Ch 16; 24, 25, 26, 27, 71.
Pilot Station: Ch 16; 11, 12.
Vessels should establish VHF contact 3 hours before ETA.
Notice of readiness
Should be tendered on arrival at the pilot station or as stipulated in the Charter Party.
Documents
Documents are checked by the port captain, port doctor, immigration and agricultural department.
Forms to be completed and delivered to the above mentioned authorities, on arrival, when they board to grant pratique.
Health
Radio pratique is not available. The port doctor will board as soon as the vessel is anchored. Any sickness onboard must be reported in advance so that the port doctor may assess the need to place the vessel in quarantine. This regulation applies even if the vessel is arriving from another Colombian port.
The port doctor requires that all crew/passengers are vaccinated against yellow fever/cholera.
Doctors will not board between 2200hrs and 0700hrs, except in an emergency.
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Allowances: No special allowances for officers and crew. The allowance is the same as that granted to other visitors to the country. Fines for non compliance may be imposed on the agencies of 50% of the charter price.
Immigration: Authorities require crew/passenger passports. They will not permit persons to land who require a Colombian visa. Shore passes are delivered onboard for crew/passengers which must be returned, via the agent, before the vessel's departure. Crew repatriation may be authorised. Nationals of some countries may not be allowed to disembark e.g, India, Nicaragua, China (mainland) and Pakistan amongst others.
A Sanitary Certificate is required for pets.
Flags
Colombian flag and relevant Interco flags are to be displayed. Non compliance will result in port clearance being withheld.
Notices and regulations
Engines may not normally be put out of action whilst alongside as vessels may be required to shift berth at short notice.
Inspections
ISPS
Designated Authority: Direccion General Maritima.
Contact: Jefe Division de Gente de Mar y Naves.
Address: Transversal 41 No 27-50 CAN, Bogota, Colombia.
Tel: +57 1 220 0490
Fax: +57 1 222 5152
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dimar.mil.co
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jun 2024Repairs
Repairs of all kinds may be carried out.
Dry docks
No drydock facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Freshwater: Available.
Bunkers: Available.
Stores: Limited stores available with prior notice.
Medical
Buenaventura.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx 16km (light aircraft). Cali (32km) is the nearest large airport.
Nearest railway: Buenaventura.
Working hours
Two shifts of 12 hours, throughout 365 days.
About Buenaventura
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Buenaventura is situated on the Pacific coast in the Bay of Buenaventura, approx 8nm up the Dagua River on Cascajal Island.
The port
The port is joined to the mainland by a short road bridge. There are numerous berths handling cargoes such as bulk sugar, fertilisers, grain, vehicles, containers and general cargo, liquid chemicals and petroleum.
Traffic
Approx 23,113,000t of cargo, 1,700,000TEU and 1,400 vessels are handled annually.
Questions about Buenaventura
Where does the pilot board at Buenaventura?
The pilot boards at Buenaventura pilot boarding place, 03°47.7′N 077°19.1′W. Buenaventura has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Buenaventura in?
Local time at Buenaventura is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Buenaventura?
The deepest berth listed is at Buenaventura Terminal: 13.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Buenaventura?
1007 - 1014.
Which load line zone is Buenaventura in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Buenaventura?
The UN/LOCODE of Buenaventura is COBUN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Buenaventura 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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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.