PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ciudad del Carmen
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory.
Key data
updated May 2010Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean max range 0.4m, min 0.0m.
The inbound steam has a rate of 1.5kts and outbound up to 2kts.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Supply Terminal | 7.00 m | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
From a position in the vicinity of the lightbuoy (safe water, 18°43'N 091°54'W) the alignment 180° of Hacienda Xicalango Leading Lights leads S for 2.5nm.
The leading lights are as follows:
Front light: Metal post, 15.0m in height, 18°38'N 091°54'W.
Rear light: Metal tower, 12.0m in height, 0.2nm S of the front light.
Then the track leads SE for 2.2nm then E to the port of Ciudad del Carmen, passing (with positions from the front light):
E of Punta Xicalango (3nm NNW), then:
SW and S of Bajo de la Guitarra (marked by a lightbuoy, 2nm NE), then:
Close SW of Punta Atalaya Light (3.25nm ENE), then:
The route leads SE to the anchorage off the town, or to an alongside berth or continues SSE into Laguna de Terminos, passing NE of Bajo de los Bagres Lightbuoy (18°38'N 091°51'W).
Anchorages
Outer anchorage is obtained 8nm NNW of Punta Atalaya, in depths of 7.0-9.0m, mud bottom, good holding ground and 6nm N of the same point in a depth of 5.0m.
Anchorage may be obtained by coasters close to Muelle Fiscal (18°38.9'N 091°50.7'W).
A gas pipeline crosses the harbour, from a position close SE of Punta Atalaya Light (18°39'N 091°51'W), in a SW direction to the opposite shore.
Restrictions
El Zacatal Bridge, located approx 2nm SW of the port, links Isla del Carmen to Punta Zacatal. The vertical clearance beneath the bridge is not known.
Charts and publications
BA 2626. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).
Inspections
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: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.
Position: Director General for Merchant Navy
Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.
Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.
Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2020Repairs
Facilities for minor repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Available.
Medical
There is a hospital and medical services available locally.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ciudad del Carmen Airport is situated approx 6km E of the port.
About Ciudad del Carmen
updated Jul 2020Where it is
Ciudad del Carmen is located on Isla del Carmen at the mouth to Laguna de Terminos in the Bay of Campeche.
The port
The port serves vessels operating in the offshore oil industry in the Gulf of Campeche. .
Traffic
Approx 400,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Ciudad del Carmen
What are the pilot arrangements at Ciudad del Carmen?
Compulsory.
What time zone is Ciudad del Carmen in?
Local time at Ciudad del Carmen is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Ciudad del Carmen?
The deepest berth listed is at Offshore Supply Terminal: 7.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Ciudad del Carmen in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Ciudad del Carmen?
Port State Control at Ciudad del Carmen: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ciudad del Carmen?
The UN/LOCODE of Ciudad del Carmen is MXCME.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ciudad del Carmen 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.
Plan a route to Ciudad del Carmen →
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.