Cartagena

1. Cartagena Landfall Point reporting point Pilot37°32.0′N 001°00.0′W
2. Cartagena boarding — large vessels for Ensenada de Escombreras Pilot boards37°33.6′N 001°00.1′W
3. Cartagena pilot boarding (general) Pilot boards37°34.5′N 001°00.9′W

Size limits

LOA 336.08m, beam 60m, draught 24m, 318,744DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Max Range 0.65m.

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

Approach

The entrance mouth to Cartagena Basin has a width of 250m and depth of 11.5m LLW. The permitted maximum draught in the basin at Cartagena is 11.25m.

The entrance mouth to Escombreras Basin has a width of 1,100m and a depth of 25.0m LLW. In Escombreras basin the controlling draught is restricted to 21.4m.

Caution: Vessels of less than 500GT, approaching from the W, should not pass too close to Punta de la Podadera, in order to avoid having to make a sharp turn when passing Dique de Navidad.

Port limits

The waters under the jurisdiction of the port authority of Cartagena are delimited by the coastline and a straight line drawn from Cabo Tinoso (37°32.0'N 001°06.0'W) to Punta del Sofre (37°33.0'N 000°57.0'W).

Anchorages

Vessels anchored within the port limits should not carry out repairs affecting main engines as the possibility of sudden storms in winter may make it necessary to move to a sheltered anchorage N of Cabo Tinoso or to put to sea.

Prohibited anchorages and fishing area lies around Punta de Trinca-Botijas (37°34.4'N 000°58.5'W), marked by two lightbuoys on the NW and SW corners and further buoys moored within it.

Restrictions

VLCC's with more than 18.0m draught, are not permitted to berth at night time.

Mooring

Agrupacion de Boteros Amarradores del Puerto de Cartegena. Tel: +34 968 524271, Fax: +34 968 529905, Email: [email protected].

Charts and publications

BA 1194. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should contact pilots 30 minutes before commencing manoeuvres, should report to port control when passing Landfall Point and resume listening watch on Ch 16

Vessels under 500GT must contact port control when entering or departing the port and provide details of intended manoeuvres.

Vessels bound for Darsena de Escombreras are to follow the instructions advised by the Cartagena Port Control.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 10, 12, 13, 14. Tel: +34 968 325800. Fax: +34 325837. Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +34 968 121225. Fax: +34 968 121632. Email: [email protected]

Repsol Terminal: Ch 06. Tel: +34 968 129200. Fax: +34 968 167145

Military Port: Ch 09.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates renewed.

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

Repair centre: Ship Lift, capacity 9,928t, length 148m, width 23m, depth 9.0m, hoisting time 45 mins.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by pipeline at 45tph at all berths.

Bunkering: Available by pipeline at the tanker and liquefied gas terminals and by road tanker at other quays.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Medical facilities are available in the city.

Transport

Nearest international airport: El Atlet, Alicante, 100km from Cartagena.

Nearest domestic airport: San Javier, 30km from Cartagena.

Nearest railway: The wharves are connected to the national rail network, 2km from the port.

Nearest highway: A30; Madrid - Albacete - Murcia - Cartagena.

Working hours

Stevedores, 0800-1200hrs and 1330-1730. From 1800-2000hrs (30% overtime). From 2000-0200hrs and 0200-0800hrs (100% overtime). Sat 0800-1400hrs and 1400-2359hrs and Sun/holidays (100% overtime). Port offices, 0800-1500hrs.

Where it is

Cartagena is situated on the SE coast of Spain, in Murcia.

The port

The port is situated in a natural harbour, which is entered from the S, entrance width 250m and depth 12.5m. The water area included within the limits of the harbour is approx 5.2ha. The port consists of the Cartagena basin and the eastern Escombreras basin.

Cartagena is a major naval, commercial and fishing port with modern facilities for handling all types of vessels. The port mainly handles containers, fruit, vegetables, general cargo and cruise passengers.

Escombreras handles solid bulk (grain, ore, cement, clinker and fertilizers) and liquid bulk (LNG, LPG, chemicals, crude oil and refined oils).

Traffic

Approx 35,600,000t of cargo, 50,000TEU, 2,000 vessels and 19,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cartagena?

The pilot boards at Cartagena Landfall Point reporting point, 37°32.0′N 001°00.0′W. Cartagena has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Cartagena in?

Local time at Cartagena 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 Cartagena?

The deepest berth listed is at Inflammable (Escombreras Basin): 24.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cartagena?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cartagena in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cartagena?

Port State Control at Cartagena: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cartagena?

The UN/LOCODE of Cartagena is ESCAR.

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