Ceuta

1. Ceuta pilot boarding place Pilot boards35°54.5′N 005°18.6′W

Size limits

LOA 285.24m, beam 32.25m, draught 10.2m, 51,034DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range approx 1.4m; mean neap range approx 0.4m.

Tidal streams: West going stream from 6.5hrs before HW Gibraltar and east going stream approx 0.5hrs after HW Gibraltar.

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

Approach

There are no fairways or channels to be negotiated when entering the port.

Harbour entrance width 300m, depth 17.7m. Maximum recorded current across the entrance is1kt.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Contact Tarifa Traffic by VHF.

Anchorages

Anchorage North of harbour: Vessels may anchor off Dique de Poniente (35°53.9'N 005°18.6'W) in an area bounded N by the line joining Punta Bermeja (35°54.5'N 005°20.8'W) and Punta de Santa Catalina (35°54.4'N 005°17.3'W) and in the S by the 3 alignments of Dique de Poniente but not E of the head of this breakwater.

The recommended anchorage is approximately 0.7nm NW of the head of the breakwater in depths of approx 26m, stone, with Renegado bearing not more than 266°, but the anchorage is exposed.

Fresh SE winds cause a heavy sea in the bay and during W winds heavy squalls come down off the mountains. Vessels should be prepared to leave at the onset of such weather.

Prohibited anchorage area: Due to the existence of submarine cables, this extends up to 1.25nm N from the port entrance on the E side of the bay.

Anchorage South of Harbour: Anchorage may be obtained in depths of 20.0m or more, sheltered from W and N winds, in Ensenada de Ceuta in an anchorage centred on 35°49.0'N 005°19.5'W. A pilot boarding point for the port of Tanger Med is situated 1nm E of the anchorage and a triangular area in which anchoring is prohibited is situated 3nm NE.

Caution: Tunny nets may be encountered in season 0.5nm E of Punta de Piedras Gordas (35°52.7'N 005°19.7'W).

An obstruction is charted in position 35°52.8'N 005°17.7'W.

Restrictions

Vessels carrying explosives must give ample warning of arrival in advance to the pilot station in order for the necessary precautions to be taken.

Tugs

Normally two tugs in service of 1,100hp and 2,300hp. Tugs use ship lines.

Mooring

Mooring services are compulsory.

Charts and publications

BA 87, 142, 773, 2717, 2742, 3578. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notification of arrival should be sent to the agent 24 hours in advance. Vessels exceeding LOA 180m or 9.1m draught or carrying dangerous or hazardous goods must give 48 hours notice prior to arrival. ETA delays should be notified direct to the pilot station.

Communications

Coastal Radio Station "Tarifa Radio".

VHF: Pilot, Port & VTS: Ch 10, 16, 12,

Pilot: Tel: +34 956 508331, Fax: +34 956 501524.

VTS email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

NOR is required for unloading operations only.

Documents

To be delivered to the agent, for distribution to the appropriate authorities.

Health

Maritime Health Declaration is compulsory when vessels coming from developing countries outside the European Union.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates (SSCEC) can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Immigration: Shore passes are not required for crew.

Flags

When entering port, the National Spanish flag and the "Q" flag must be flown. During bunkering operations, the "B" flag must be flown.

Notices and regulations

Contained in 'The Spanish National Ports Law and Regulation of Operation in the Port of Ceuta' and obtainable from the Harbour Master.

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 for minor engine and general electronic repairs (radar, gyro, etc). There is also a workshop available for larger repairs.

New Refit and Repair Centre for Super Yachts.

Dry docks

Two slipways available: The largest, length 165m, cradle length 40m, draught on keel blocks 4.4m, lifting capacity 350t, at Muelle Alfau at the root of Dique de Levante.

Travel lift up to 325t, LOA 48.7m, beam 9.1m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all quays.

Bunkering: Available alongside (rate 350tph) or by barge.

Medical

Medical facilities are available, general hospital, private clinics and Red Cross Hospital.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Malaga (approx 113km).

Nearest railway: None.

Nearest highways: N-352 (Ceuta-Frontera), N354 (Ceuta - Benzu)

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Ceuta is a Spanish enclave on the N Moroccan coast, an artificial harbour at the SE end of the Strait of Gibraltar.

The port

The port is a free port and is sheltered by two N facing breakwaters (1,500 and 500m in length), the entrance being 300m wide with a depth of 18.0m. Apart from being an important bunkering port it is equipped to handle container, Ro-Ro and passenger/vehicle ferry traffic, with regular services to Algeciras, Malaga and Melilla.

Traffic

Approx 1,700,000t of cargo, 10,000TEU, 11,000 vessels and 2,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ceuta?

The pilot boards at Ceuta pilot boarding place, 35°54.5′N 005°18.6′W.

What time zone is Ceuta in?

Local time at Ceuta 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 Ceuta?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Ceuta: 10.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ceuta?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ceuta in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ceuta?

Port State Control at Ceuta: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ceuta?

The UN/LOCODE of Ceuta is ESCEU.

What crews who called at Ceuta 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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