Castellon

Size limits

Max Harbour: LOA 300.00m, beam 45.0m, draught 17.7m and 116,715DWT.

Max Off Shore: LOA 300.00m, BCM 140.00m, draught 22.0m and 168,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Max range 0.7m.

LWL reading compared to zero port level: - 0.2m

HWL reading compared to zero port level: + 0.5m

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

Approach

HARBOUR: Entry into the harbour is made through the TSS, the seaward end of which is marked by a light-float (39°56.9'N., 000°05.7'E), 3.25nm ESE of the entrance. When approaching from the South traffic making for the TSS should keep to seaward of the offshore terminal sea berth, 1.75nm SE of the harbour entrance.

Entrance channel: Length 1,250m, width 300m, depth at LWL 17.0m.

OIL TERMINAL: The approach to the terminal is marked by a lightbuoy moored 2.3nm offshore at 143° from the green light at the end of the Eastern breakwater.

A submarine pipeline, which leads to an oil refinery, extends 2.5nm ESE from the shore about 2nm NNE of the mouth of Rio Mijares. At the outer end of the pipeline there are 5 mooring lightbuoys (lightQ) forming a sea berth for vessels up to 300m in length at a max draught of 25.0m. Two lightbuoys are moored approx 0.5nm N of the sea berth.

Approach to the harbour is made from the ESE keeping N of the two lightbuoys moored 0.5nm N of the oil terminals sea berth and clear of a wreck, with a depth of 11.3m over it, 0.7nm SSE of Castellon de la Plana Light, and S of a shoal patch with a least depth of 9.7m, 0.4nm S of the light.

The entrance to the Outer Harbour, which is entered W of the head of Dique Este, is marked on its W side by two lightbuoys (port hand); it should be noted that the N lightbuoy is moored in shoal water about 100m W of the limits of the dredged channel.

BERTHING PLATFORM: A berthing platform, with a fuelling berth on each side, is situated on the line of the pipeline 1.5nm inshore of its seaward end. Vessels up to 45,000dwt, 220m length at a max draught of 11.3m can be accepted at the berthing platform. The platform is 70m in length and 15m wide. Mooring dolphins are 95m off each end of the platform. Lights are exhibited from the dolphins. Between the mooring dolphins and the platform there is an additional mooring post, serving both berths. The platform sides, N and S, are faced with fendering. The berths at the berthing platform are no longer operational.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Racon buoy ''E'' extreme E of scheme in position 39°56.9'N., 000°05.7'E.

Pilot boarding area 200m W from extreme W of traffic scheme, in position 39°057.2'N 000°03.0'E.

Anchorages

Prohibited anchorage areas: Anchoring is prohibited outside the designated areas except in the event of an emergency when permission must be obtained from the harbour master.

Anchoring outside the designated areas is prohibited except in the event of an emergency, when the harbour master's permission must be obtained. It is worth noting that anchorages E of the breakwater are completely exposed and as a result vessels will be advised to put to see in the event of bad weather.

Restrictions

Oil Terminal: Navigation is prohibited between the outer lightbuoy and the berthing platform, except for vessels berthing. Small fishing vessels may pass between the platform and the shore, however, they are strictly prohibited from anchoring or fishing in the vicinity of the pipeline.

Tankers will be moored during daylight hours only. Unmooring will be carried out at any time.

Mooring

Oil Terminal: If berthing at the "Sea Berth", tankers should approach from the S on alignment of 2 leading lights. Both anchors should be ready for letting go on the advice of the pilot. Tugs will be in attendance.

Vessels berth heading ENE with wires from the stern and amidships to the 5 buoys and 2 anchors laid out ahead.

The standard aft mooring equipment should be composed with a minimum of 10 synthetic ropes in good condition, not less than 270m in length and 230 or 250mm in circumference. Four of them will be ready on the main deck house. Mooring wires with nylon tails instead of ropes are acceptable. Two lines are required to be run out to all of the buoys, but only from Buoys No 1 and 5 (port and starboard beams) shall a third line be taken by the terminal (Preventer) which is permanently attached to the buoy and bought to the vessel by launch.

The oil hose normally lies on the seabed and is brought to the surface by pumping nitrogen gas up the pipeline which then floats to the surface for connection.

Swamped piles lie N and S of the seaward end of the pipeline.

Having berthed, the vessel must always be ready to sail should the weather deteriorate.

For the berthing Island, 4/5 head/stern lines and 2/3 forward/ aft spring lines are required.

Charts and publications

BA 1514, 1701. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

Castellon Port (Approaches) Spanish Chart No 482 A (INT 3175)

Castellon Port Spanish Chart No 4821 (INT 3176).

US 52080. US Sailing Directions 131 (Western Mediterranean).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

VHF contact with the Refinery should be established when within range. A person appointed by the Refinery will remain on board all vessels berthing at either the Berthing Platform (Breasting Island) or the Sea Berth, and will be in charge of any ship to shore communications.

Vessels should call Castellon Port Control on VHF Ch 74 one hour before arrival at Racon.

Communications

Port Control contact info

VHF: Ch 11, 16

Telephone: +34 964 737 202

Facsimile: +34 964 737 105

Port Authority contact info

Telephone: +34 964 281 140

Facsimile: +34 964 281 411

Email: [email protected]

Terminal Operators contact info

Telephone: +34 964 737 000

Facsimile: +34 964 737 005

Terminal Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 13, 16

Telephone: +34 964 647 000

Facsimile: +34 964 884 785

Pilots contact info

Call sign: "Castellon Practicos"

VHF: Ch 16, 74

Telephone: +34 964 737 202; +34 607 889 558 (mobile)

Facsimile: +34 964 737 105

VHF: All vessels approaching or leaving the port of Castellon, and the Maritime Terminals of BP Oil refinery in Castellon, must keep watch at all times on VHF Ch.16.

All vessels approaching Breasting Island, BP Oil refinery sea berth or Castellon port, shall contact Castellon Port Control, 2 hours before arrival on VHF Ch 16, 74 and 13, informing them of ETA, last port of call, any deficiency with navigational equipment or cargo, IMO classes/ONU numbers (or crude oil type) and total quantity of cargo. From this point watch is maintained on channels 16 and 74.

Standard messages

European Community Regulations.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered 2nm before arrival at sea buoy.

Health

Free pratique should be applied for by telex through agent, prior to arrival.

Customs and immigration

European Community Regulations.

Flags

European Community Regulations.

Notices and regulations

General information on the Port, and Guidelines on Safety, can be found on the port's website, under "Captain of Ship" section.

During final approach care must be taken not to pass between the buoy field around the Oil Tankers sea berth, BP platform and Refinery, unless bound to these maritime facilities, with pilot onboard.

All vessels carrying dangerous cargo goods must complete a checklist

Pilot forms must be completed and pilot ladder must be in good condition and safe.

It is compulsory for all vessels heading to BP Oil Refineria de Castellon to have 2 tugs.

It is forbidden to undertake any repairs of vessels carrying dangerous goods either anchored or berthed in the port of Castellon.

The harbour master's permission must be obtained before any repairs can be undertaken on any vessel not carrying dangerous goods.

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

Available. Workshops for small repairs: Indunaval, S L Valencia, Talleres Nasio, Tanaval and Sr D Juan Soler.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road trucker if 48 hours notice is given. Bunkering may also be given via tanker or barge in good weather conditions. BP Oil Terminal IFO is available by pipeline.

Provisions: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital General Universitari a Castello (6.15km).

All medical emergencies and ambulance call: VHF Ch 74 to Castellon Port Control or Tel: +34 96 473 7202.

Crew change

The agency CONSULMAR has boats to supply goods and crew from shore to anchorage areas of Castellon Port and BP Terminals.

Transport

Nearest airport: Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport (27.15km) and Valencia Airport (67.75km).

Nearest railway: The port houses an internal rail network at the South Dock enabling the transportation of goods from the port via rail access. Castellon railway station, 6km, joins the main Barcelona to Valencia line.

Nearest highway: The port has access to European Route E15. The route travels 3,700km North to South from Inverness, Scotland to Algeciras, Spain.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Castellon.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0830-1230hrs and 1400-1800hrs.

Intensive gangs from Monday to Sunday (all week). 3 gangs by day: from 0800-1400 hrs, 1530-2130hrs, 1400-2000hrs, 1800-2359hrs, 2000-0200 and 0200-0800hrs.

Where it is

The port of Castellon is situated towards the northern end of the Gulf of Valencia on Spain's Mediterranean coast.

The port

Commercial cargoes including containers, dry and liquid bulk, general cargo and Ro-Ro traffic are handled at the Inner Basin, North Basin and more recently the South Basin. A separate harbour is used by fishing vessels.

An offshore sea island oil terminal and a CBM berth are situated approx 2nm SE of the entrance to the port.

The harbour is undergoing a substantial, long-term, expansion project, with new berth areas being created to the South West on reclaimed land.

Traffic

Approx 16,000,000t of cargo, 72,000TEU, 1,300 vessels and 1,600 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Castellon?

Castellon Port: Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels greater than 500GT and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Castellon in?

Local time at Castellon 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 Castellon?

The deepest berth listed is at BP Refinery (Castellon): 22.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Castellon?

1025.

Which load line zone is Castellon in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Castellon?

Port State Control at Castellon: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Castellon?

The UN/LOCODE of Castellon is ESCAS.

What crews who called at Castellon 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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