PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Casablanca
Pilot
updated Oct 2010- Casablanca pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°37.9′N 007°34.6′W
Compulsory pilotage for commercial vessels over 100GT and sailing vessels over 80GT within the area, available throughout 24 hours. Pilotage is optional for Naval vessels but recommended if unfamiliar with the port.
Vessels should establish contact with Pilotage Casablanca on VHF Ch 12 at least 1 hour before arrival in the roadstead, at least 30 minutes before leaving the port or moving within the port and after having made compulsory contact with the VTS on Ch 14 stating ETA in the roads, ETD or time of movement within the port. The pilot will inform the vessel of the expected time and position of boarding.
Pilot boards in position 33°38.05'N 007°34.60'W and is available day and night.
Bad weather: A red flag displayed at the signal station, indicates that the pilot cannot board the vessel on account of the state of the sea, but that vessels may enter the port at their own risk and the pilot will await them in the lee of Jetee Moulay Youssef. At night, should the weather prevent the pilot coming out, no attempt should be made to enter the harbour as it is dangerous.
Key data
updated Nov 2020Size limits
LOA 300m, Beam, 53.8m, 130,102 DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range 2.7m, mean neap range 1.3m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| TC3 Terminal | — | 294 m | 2 |
| Casablanca New Cruise Terminal | — | 350 m | 1 |
| Eastern Container Terminal | — | 295 m | 6 |
| OCP Terminal | — | 200 m | 4 |
| Commercial Terminal | — | 227 m | 12 |
| SOSIPO Grain Terminal | — | 200 m | 2 |
| Ore Terminal | — | 200 m | 4 |
| Somaport Container Terminal Roulier | — | 269 m | 8 |
| Casablanca Cruise Terminal | — | 333 m | 5 |
| Car Terminal | — | 175 m | 2 |
| Somaport Terminal Polyvalents | — | 200 m | 6 |
| Middle Quay | — | 121 m | 2 |
| Multi Terminal | — | 110 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2024Approach
From position 33°43.0'N 007°34.1'W and between the outer anchorage areas, an approach channel 1nm wide, leads S to 33°38.0'N 007°34.1'W. Then the channel leads 230° for 0.9nm, narrowing to about 370m SE of "CA5" Lightbuoy.
Leading lights are established to assist in the approach from NE to the boarding position. They do not constitute a lead into the harbour.
The front light is exhibited from a red tower with white bands, 27m in height, with a rectangular daymark, red with white stripe, standing 250m SE of the NW corner of Muelle de Fosfaros (Quai des Phosphates).
The rear light is exhibited from the top of a grey coloured grain silo, 46m in height, situated on Mole du Commerce, 770m from the front structure.
Underwater foundations: With 6m of water over them, underwater foundations extend NE for 420m from the head of Jetee Moulay Youssef, towards Lightbuoy CA5 (starboard hand, radar, reflector, whistle).
Anchorages
Outer anchorages: Anchorage may be obtained in designated anchorages. The anchorage is partially protected by the promontory of Pointe d'El Hank from winds between S and W, but a swell from the W finds its way into the bay. The swell from the W may set in with very little warning especially in the bad weather season, Oct to Apr. With a heavy W or NW swell the anchorage becomes dangerous. The holding ground in most places outside the harbour is poor, the bottom nearly everywhere being sand and rock.
Anchorage with good holding ground of sand and mud can be obtained 1nm N of the head of Jetee Moulay Youssef in depths of 24.0m.
Masters wishing to anchor in either the W or E anchorages must have prior permission, except for Force Majeure, permission should be requested from the Harbour Master via VTS, either directly by VHF or other means, or via the pilotage service. All vessels in the anchorage must maintain a listening watch on the VHF working and safety channels.
Prohibited anchorage: In an area N of "CA1" Lightbuoy to the harbour entrance.
Anchorage is also prohibited in an area to the W of the root of Jetee Moulay Youssef to Pointe d'El-Hank, for a distance of 2nm offshore. Submarine cables extend N and NW of Pointe d'El-Hank.
The Moroccan government periodically prohibits all maritime activity transit, anchoring in an area N and W of Casablanca. The area extends approx 3.5nm N from the root of Jetee Moulay Youssef to 33° 40.1'N 007° 37.0'W, then 7,5nm WSW to position 33° 36.5'N 007° 45.0'W, then 3nm S to the shore in position 33° 33.5'N 007° 45.0'W
Restrictions
Prohibited area: The Moroccan Government periodically prohibits all maritime activity, transit and anchoring in an area N and W of Casablanca. The area extends 3.5nm N from the root of Jetee Moulay Youssef to position 33°40.1'N 007°37.1'W, 7.5nm WSW to position 33°36.5'N 007°45.0'W, 3nm S to the shore in position 33°33.5'N 007°45.0'W.
Tugs
There are 6 tugs: 2 x 1,810hp, 1 x 1,350hp,1 x 1,700hp, 1 x 2,400hp and 1 x 240hp are available.
Mooring
Vessels are advised to moor head to the swell and secure with special rope hawser tailed with wire.
The Signal Station at the head of Epi Sud will display swell warning signals when a dangerous swell is expected.
Charts and publications
BA 861, 850, 856, 3132, 3133. US Publication 143. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
All vessels arriving in Casablanca roads should immediately contact the VTS on VHF Ch 14 stating position, heading and speed.
Communications
VHF: Casablanca Port Radio: Ch 16, 12 and 14. Tel: +212 522 449436. Fax: +212 522 313501.
Pilots & Tugs: Ch 12. Tel: +212 22 315515, Fax: +212 22 313501.
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS): Ch 16, 12, 14, 68. Tel: +212 522 317111. Fax: +212 522 313501.
Safety Service: Ch 68.
Documents
CS = Customs, IM = Immigration, HA = Health Authority.
Health
Quarantine: There must be no communication with the shore until pratique has been obtained. Quarantine laws are strictly enforced.
The Master must complete the Declaration of Health and state if pratique has been granted. Advance notice should be sent to agent for any medical assistance that may be required. Pratique cannot be applied for by radio.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministere de L'Equipement et du Transport - Direction des Ports et du Domaine Public Maritime
Post: Director des Ports et du Domaine Public
Address: Direction des Ports et du Domaine Public, Hay Nahda II, Takadoum, B.P. 5131.
Tel: + 212 37 755758
Fax: + 212 37 750011
E-mail: [email protected]
For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Nov 2020Repairs
There is a naval yard where facilities are available for small repairs. There is also a 350m long fitting out berth.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Fuel, diesel and gas oil is available alongside.
Stores: Provisions are available.
Medical
Casablanca Hospital, 4.2km.
Crew change
There are facilities available to effect crew change and to arrange any necessary repatriation.
Transport
Nearest airport: Casablanca Mohamed V International Airport, 34km.
Nearest railway: The port is connected to the national rail and road network.
The port is equipped with a 17km rail network operated by the ONCF.
Working hours
Standard times: Mon-Sat 0700-1500hrs and 1500-2300hrs.
During Ramadan: 0500-1200hrs and 1500-1700hrs.
On Sun and holidays two shifts are available at overtime rates.
About Casablanca
updated Nov 2025Where it is
Casablanca is situated approx 19km SW of Mohammedia on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
The port
The port, covering an area of approx 450ha, including 256ha of platforms and features more than 8km of quays. The port can accommodate up to 40 ships at a time and features a commercial port, a fishing port a marina, also facilities and infrastructures for launching and docking ships in shipyard.
The port handles mainly dry bulk, bulk, containers, passenger and liquid facilities.
Traffic
Approx 27,000,000t of cargo, 1,300,000TEU and 70,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Casablanca
Where does the pilot board at Casablanca?
The pilot boards at Casablanca pilot boarding place, 33°37.9′N 007°34.6′W.
What time zone is Casablanca in?
Local time at Casablanca is UTC+0. No summer time.
What is the water density at Casablanca?
1025.
Which load line zone is Casablanca in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Casablanca?
The UN/LOCODE of Casablanca is MACAS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Casablanca 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.