PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Caldera
Pilot
updated May 2016- Caldera Estación de Espera de Prácticos (007°/187° × 6,4 cables from Muelle Punta Padrones) Pilot boards27°02.4′S 070°50.5′W
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and Chilean vessels over 1,000GT. Vessels should send ETA and pilot request via agents 24 hours in advance, confirming 12 hours in advance. ETA message should contain the following information:
a) Vessel's name and call sign
b) Flag
c) LOA
d) Mean draught
e) GT.
Pilot boards in position 27°02.42'S 70°50.34'W.
Key data
updated Aug 2020Size limits
LOA 240m, beam 32.3m, draught 11.8m, 84,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Mean maximum range 1.0m, mean minimum range 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Caldera | 12.50 m | 222 m | 3 |
| Punta Padrones Terminal | — | 240 m | 1 |
| Copec Terminal | 11.88 m | 200 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 May 2016Approach
From NW of Punta Caldera, (27°03'S 070°52'W) the approach to Puerto Caldera leads between Punta Caldera and Roca Chango (1.25nm NE), a pinnacle on which the sea breaks in heavy weather, noting a 14.3m stony patch 0.3nm WSW of Roca Chango, then into the bay to anchor or berth.
There may be distinct anomalies when using magnetic compasses in the area.
Port limits
Inside a line drawn from Punta Caldera ENE to Punta Francisco.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be found in position 27°02.8'S 070°49.8'W, in depths of 20.0m with the head of Muelle Mecanizado bearing 220°, the distance is approx 0.6nm, sand.
Quarantine and explosive anchorages are located in the NE bay.
Caution: Vessels should not anchor, except with the permission of the port authority, within a radius of 0.45nm centred on the head of Muelle Mecanizado in order to avoid interference with vessels berthing.
Tugs
Available.
Mooring
Punta Padrones Terminal: Vessels to provide 6 mooring ropes forward and 7 aft of 220m in length and sound condition with no wire.
Punta Caleta: Vessels to provide 4 mooring ropes each 200m long in sound condition for tying up to buoys and shore as well as 7 mooring ropes of 150m length astern.
Charts and publications
BA 4231. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo 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: Chilean Maritime Authority.
Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.
Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.
Tel: +56 32 208637.
Fax: +56 32 208662.
Mob: +56 9 939 3937.
Email: [email protected]
Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK
Website: http://www.directemar.cl
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2020Repairs
Repairs and three small slipways for small crafts available.
Dry docks
Three slipways available for small craft.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by road tankers. Not available in Muelle Punta Caleta
Bunkers: Diesel available through Agent from Copec at 50m³/hr by road tanker. Not available in Muelle Punta Caleta
Stores: Available, contact agent.
Medical
Hospital at Copiapo, 75km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Caldera.
Nearest railway: Caldera.
Working hours
The port works 3 shifts: 0800-1530hrs, 1530-2300hrs and 2300-0630hrs.
About Caldera
updated Aug 2020Where it is
The port of Caldera is situated on the S shore of the Caldera Bay.
The port
The port of Caldera has two piers which are protected by the bay which is 1.75nm wide at its entrance and 1.6nm internally and has a depth ranging from 15.0 to 20.0m on a sandy bed. Caldera has facilities for the handling of general cargo imports and copper exports.
Traffic
Approx 3,000,000t of cargo and 140 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Caldera
Where does the pilot board at Caldera?
The pilot boards at Caldera Estación de Espera de Prácticos (007°/187° × 6,4 cables from Muelle Punta Padrones), 27°02.4′S 070°50.5′W.
What time zone is Caldera in?
Local time at Caldera is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Caldera?
The deepest berth listed is at Puerto Caldera: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Caldera?
1025.
Which load line zone is Caldera in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Caldera?
Port State Control at Caldera: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Caldera?
The UN/LOCODE of Caldera is CLCLD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Caldera 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.