Cadiz

1. Bahía de Cádiz punto de embarque (Estación de Práctico) Pilot boards36°33.9′N 006°18.9′W

Size limits

LOA 373m, draught 13.0m.

Tanker, LOA 373m, 188,097GT, draught 7.9m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.8m (spring), 1.3m (neap).

Strong W winds greatly increase the rise of the tide and delay the time of HW; offshore winds have the opposite effect.

In Canal Principal the spring rate is 1.5kts increasing to 2kts off Bajo de la Cabezuela (36°32'N 006°15'W), to more than 3kts in the vicinity of Puente Jose Leon de Carraca. At neaps the stream is weak.

The stream set strongly over the shoals in the vicinity of Bajo Las Puercas (36°33'N 006°18'W).

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

Approach

The port is approached and entered through Canal Principal, a buoyed channel which leads through the chain of rocky shoals extending 2nm N from Cadiz. A secondary channel, Canal del Norte leads N of the shoals but is unmarked. Canal del Sur a minor channel, which passes between Cadiz and the banks immediately N of the city, is suitable for small craft only.

Port limits

The waters of Cadiz Bay enclosed by a line joining the following positions:

From the shore at Castillo de San Sebastian Light (36°32'N 006°19'W) W to:

36°31.7'N 006°24.0'W; then N to:

36°38.1'N 006°24.0'W; then E to the shore at Punta Candor.

The limits extend inwards as far as Punta de la Clica in Cano de la Carraca (36°30'N 006°13'W).

Anchorages

Large vessels may anchor W and NW of El Diamante (36°34'N 006°18'W) shoal in depths of approximately 13.0-15.0m.

Two recommended anchorages for large vessels, lie (positioned from the head of Dique de San Felipe):

307.5° distant 2.2nm; depth 15.0m.

320° distant 2.8nm; depth 14.0m.

Outer anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained in depths of from 13.0-17.0m, muddy sand, W and NW of El Diamante (36°34'N 006°18'W).

Restrictions

Puente Jose Leon de Carranza (36°30'N 006°15'W) is a double bascule bridge which crosses the Bay from the S side of the International Free Zone to Matagorda and which provides a passage 90m wide near its centre. The passage is marked by lights and the bridge span marked by lights (fixed yellow). Passage through the bridge is normally allowed in daylight only, but may be permitted at night in special circumstances.

Overhead power cables, both with a vertical clearance of 50m, cross the harbour above and below Puente Jose Leon de Carranza. One is 0.6nm NW of the bridge the other is 0.3nm SE of the bridge. The N cable is suspended between 2 conspicuous pylons. Vessels must ensure a minimum clearance of 3.6m beneath the cable. The S cable is supported on 8 square metal pylons, 2 of which flank the channel; vessels must ensure a minimum clearance of 3m beneath the cable.

Tugs

There are 5 x 2,400-2,830hp tugs available. The employment of the tugs will depend on the vessel characteristics and weather conditions.

Charts and publications

BA 86, 88, 90, 92. US Publications 143. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notification should be made to the port authority 2 hours in advance and confirmed 1 hour prior to arrival at the pilot boarding station.

Notify ETA at the pilot station 6 and 8 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio: San Fernando Bazan: 2182 and 3162kHz, callsign "Emoresa Bazan".

VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, 14. Callsign "Cadiz Practicos". Tel: +34 956 225977, Email: [email protected].

Port Operations: Ch 74. Callsign "Cadiz Trafico". Tel: +34 956 240418, Email: [email protected].

VTS: Ch 16, 74. Callsign "Cadiz Trafico". Tel: +34 956 214253. Email: [email protected].

Cadiz Terminal: Ch 16, 09. Callsign "Cadiz Campsa".

Health

Free pratique normally granted after berthing. Issue of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates.

Quarantine is enforced in accordance with International Health Regulations 1969. Vessels entering territorial waters from abroad should hoist the appropriate International Code Signals flags and have no communication with the shore until they have been visited by the Port Health officer and granted pratique.

A special signal code has been adopted internationally for the transmission of Radio Pratique messages.

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 3 shipyards in the port with major repair facilities.

Dry docks

There are two slipways for small vessels, the largest has a capacity of 500t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Available at Istamelsa station.

Stores: Available.

Medical

There are hospitals and other medical facilities available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Jerez de la Frontera, 30km; International Airport at Seville, 130km.

Nearest railway: Cadiz.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Cadiz is situated in the S part of the Iberian Peninsula.

The port

The port comprises the 4 commercial harbours of Cadiz, International Free Zone, Puerto Real, Puerto de Santa Maria and 2 fishing harbours. The port is equipped to handle all types of cargo and is an important shipbuilding and ship repair centre. Principal imports are oil products, coal, chemical products and general cargo. Exports include minerals in bulk, chemicals, iron and steel products, clinker, wine and general cargo.

Cargo handled: Containers, dry bulk, oil products, general cargo and fish.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo, 58,000TEU, 1,000 vessels and 5000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cadiz?

The pilot boards at Bahía de Cádiz punto de embarque (Estación de Práctico), 36°33.9′N 006°18.9′W.

What time zone is Cadiz in?

Local time at Cadiz is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Cadiz?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cadiz in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cadiz?

Port State Control at Cadiz: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cadiz?

The UN/LOCODE of Cadiz is ESCAD.

What crews who called at Cadiz 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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