Cebu

1. Cebu City boarding position: Northeast Entrance Pilot boards10°21.3′N 124°00.6′E
2. Cebu City boarding position: South Entrance Pilot boards10°13.8′N 123°53.1′E
3. Cebu South Port pilot station Pilot boards10°12.9′N 123°48.6′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 270m, beam 40m, draught 11m, 82,641DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 199.99m, 60,218DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

Range 1.5m. Tidal streams set in the direction of the channel, setting NE during the ingoing tide and SE during the outgoing tide. A maximum velocity of 2kts can be expected.

During the ingoing stream there is a strong eddy off Fort San Pedro (10°18'N 123°34'E). It has been reported that streams set more strongly along the NW shore than along the SE shore, and that the ingoing stream sets strongly on to the quay S of Fort San Pedro, and the outgoing stream on to the piers E of the fort.

Times of slack water coincide closely with those of HW and LW at Cebu City. At HW there is usually a period of about 2 hours of variable streams from 0.25 to 0.5kts, swinging through N. Max rates are usually midway between HW and LW. It has been reported that there is slack water at the quays near Fort San Pedro for 20 minutes on either side of HW and LW.

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

Approach

Cebu may be approached from the S or NE. The channels are well marked and lighted. The controlling depth in the S entrance, which should be used by large vessels, is 9.1m and in the NE entrance is 7.9m. The NE channel (it is reported that foreign vessels are not permitted to use this channel) is narrow but navigable, with a width of 50m and controlling depth of 8.8m. It is comparatively straight and well marked with beacons, buoys and lights. Use of this channel is restricted by the height of Mandaue-Opon Bridge. There are generally depths of 9.0m in the harbour.

Port limits

The NE limit of Cebu Harbour extends due N from Bantolinao Point (10°20'N 123°59'E) on Mactan Island to the opposite shore; the SW limit is a line joining Lauis Ledge (10°14'N 123°53'E) on the edge of the reef SW of Mactan Island and Lipata Point (10°15'N 123°52'E) on the coast of Cebu.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a traffic separation scheme operating in the S approach channel.

Anchorages

Anchorages for vessels waiting to berth are established in the vicinity of 10°16.75'N 123°53.14'E, in the S approach, and 10°18.38'N 123°55.74'E, off the container terminal.

A number of individual anchor berths are reported to be established both NE and SW of the port.

Prohibited Anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited anywhere in the fairway between Lauis Ledge and Bantolinao Point Light.

Restrictions

NE entrance: Mandaue-Opon Bridge, with a vertical clearance of 23m at HW and a horizontal clearance of 113m, spans the channel 2nm WSW of Bantolinao Point (10°20'N 123°59'E). Lights are exhibited from the bridge supports on the NW and SE sides of the fairway.

Tugs

Compulsory. Capacities up to 650hp.

Charts and publications

BA 4477, 4473, 13, 14. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).

Communications

VHF: Port (Cebu Stevedoring Co) Ch 01, 02 and

Pilots: Ch 16, listening 24 hours.

Notice of readiness

None.

Documents

Application for berth/anchorage (pro-forma) is required.

Usual international forms for crew list, general particulars, bond list, health form, cargo declaration and dangerous goods.

Documents for Entry

For processing with Cebu Port Authority:

7 Inward foreign Manifest listing therein all cargoes to be discharge in the port

For processing with other Government Agencies:

3 Bonded Stores List

4 Cargo Stowage Plans

3 Crew Lists

3 Drugs and Narcotics Lists

3 Firearm and Ammunition List

3 Passenger Lists

3 Stores Lists

The Original copy of the Manifest for all through cargo destined for others ports to be deposited with the Customs Inspector on board.

Health

Inspection and Health clearance is conducted by the Bureau of Quarantine Officers upon arrival. Ship Sanitation Control facilities available.

Customs and immigration

Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration and Deportation handle arrival formalities. Customs officers will board with the pilot or at the quarantine anchorage.

Flags

The Philippine national flag must be hoisted.

Notices and regulations

There is a speed limit of 5kts between Cauit Light (10°16'N 123°53'E) and Bantolinao Point Light (10°20'N 123°59'E).

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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC

Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.

Fax: +63 2 725 4787

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available. Shipbuilding and ship breaking facilities available. Colorado Shipyard Corp. has a shipyard facility located at 10° 20.918'N 123° 58.691'E.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at facilities operates by Cebu Port Authority.

Bunkering: Available by lighter at facilities operates by Cebu Port Authority.

Medical

There are many hospitals available locally including the Cebu Doctors Hospital, Cebu (Velez) General Hospital and Dr Ignacio M Cortes General Hospital.

Crew change

One Stop Shop for crew change directed to immediately cease during Covid-19 Pandemic until further notice.

Transport

Nearest airport: Mactan International (10km). Ferries available to other islands.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours (three shifts). For foreign vessels only.

Where it is

Cebu is located in the centre of the E coastline of Cebu Island.

The port

Cebu is a First Port of Entry and one of the most important shipping centres in the Philippines. Its principal exports include coconut oil, tobacco, hemp, copra, sugar, chrome, iron ores and cement. Principal imports are coal, petroleum, rice, salt and general merchandise.

Traffic

Approx 106,000,000t of cargo, 877,000TEU, 140,000 vessels and 22,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cebu?

The pilot boards at Cebu City boarding position: Northeast Entrance, 10°21.3′N 124°00.6′E. Cebu has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Cebu in?

Local time at Cebu is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Cebu?

The deepest berth listed is at Cebu Baseport: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cebu?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cebu in?

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cebu?

Port State Control at Cebu: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cebu?

The UN/LOCODE of Cebu is PHCEB.

What crews who called at Cebu 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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