Coatzacoalcos

1. Coatzacoalcos pilot boarding place Pilot boards18°11.8′N 094°25.4′W

Size limits

LOA 246.8m, beam 42m, draught 11.9m, 115,577DWT.

Water density

1010.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Max range 0.4m.

Offshore, the current sets W but near the breakwater a counter current sets E at times. In the river the state of the current varies according to the strength of the tide.

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

Approach

Depths are subject to change and these should be checked with the Port Office before arrival.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Maritime Traffic Control Station will provide vessels with all the information they require, as well as all weather updates and information necessary for the safety of vessels and installations.

Anchorages

It is reported the holding ground in the anchorages is poor. Vessels are liable to drag anchor during N'ly winds.

Restrictions

Sargassum Weed: At certain times of the year, the inner port area (Laguna de Pajaritos) may be affected by an increase in the growth of sargassum weed, which blocks propellors on vessels and hinders their passage. This problem is now common in many of the area's ports. Latterly, sea temperature and climate have provided perfect conditions for sargassum to grow. The Mexican Navy now have special vessels, which clear the weed by collecting, drying and bagging it to keep navigation channels open and prevent unnecessary damage to visiting vessels.

Tugs

Five tugs up to 4,200hp operated by Compania Maritima Mexicana. Tugs are compulsory when mooring, unmooring of moving berths. One tug for vessels over 2,500gt and two tugs for vessels over 4,000gt. Tugs use Ch 16 and 10 for communication.

Mooring

Quay 1P, Laguna de pajaritos Neuva Terminal, has buffer fenders all along the quayside.

Charts and publications

BA 1307, 2751. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

US Sailing Directions No 148. US28281, 28282, 28310.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Required via agent, at least 24 hours in advance for Coatzacoalcos, message should include vessel's name, flag and draught.

Required via agent, at least 72, 48 and 24 hours for Pajaritos, agents should provide berthing and operational information.

Communications

VHF Ch 16 is monitored during office hours.

VHF: All arriving vessels should report to the Pilot Station.

Marine Control supplies details of vessel movements, Pilot boarding times and anchoring positions.

Advance communications between vessels and agency: Satellite (Inmarsat-A) communication system between ship and shore is in use in Mexico. Coastal radio stations are still in service.

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Documents

Documents are received by the Harbour Master, Health Inspector, Immigration Authorities, Customs Authorities, Agricultural Inspector. There are no special forms for completion.

Health

Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive onboard the vessel. Free pratique is not granted by radio. A Quarantine Officer boards vessels when alongside.

Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances for officers and crew do not exist for personal possessions which must be kept onboard. Penalties for non-compliance will result in confiscation of the goods and fines.

Immigration: Formalities depend on the nationality of the crew. Nationalities that are not restricted in Mexico can proceed ashore provided they have a shore pass which can be issued by the port agent upon request of the Master. Joining and off signing crew members have to be declared 24 hours prior to the time and date of arrival/departure.

Vessel is cleared on arrival and departure.

Notices and regulations

Vessels with an LOA of more than 250m should have propeller immersed and a max trim of 3.0m by the stern.

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

Repairs

Two slipways for small vessels, capacity 500DWT and 150DWT, draught 2.4m. Workshops available for minor repairs.

Dry docks

Two slipways for small vessels with capacities of 150DWT and 500DWT, draught 2.4m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh water is available at all berths and delivered either by hose or by tank truck.

Bunkering: Fuel readily available from companies licensed by Pemex, authorised by API Coatzacoalcos and delivered by either tank, truck or bunker barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Good hospital facilities available in Coatzacoalcos.

Transport

Nearest airport: Minatitlan (MTT), approx 19km. Serves Mexico City and other domestic destinations.

Railway: The port has connections to major cities in Mexico including Veracruz and Mexico City.

Working hours

Working hours: The port operates throughout 24 hours. Port office hours are 0845-1500hrs and 1600-1800hrs. Stevedores hours are 0800-1400hrs and 1400-1800hrs.

Where it is

Coatzacoalcos is the most S'ly port in the Golpho de Campeche and is situated 1.6nm from the entrance to Rio Coatzacoalcos, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

The port

Coatzacoalcos is one of the larger ports and the principal oil port in Mexico. The harbour is divided into two parts, with a Free Port on the W bank of the river and Pajaritos, an oil port owned by Pemex, in a separate basin off the E side of the river. Berths on the Free Port wharf are situated approx 2nm inside the breakwater heads, starting with No 1 Berth at the N end of the wharf. Berths at the tanker and liquefied gas terminals are situated in Darsena de Pajaritos, which opens off the river approx 1.75nm inside the breakwater heads. No 1 Berth is near the centre of the S wall of the basin.

There are Free Port facilities for bulk, container and general cargo. It has eight general cargo berths and nine tanker berths. The main imports are agribulks, chemical products, barite and general cargo - paper. The main exports are petroleum, chemical products, vegetable oil, beer and sugar.

Latterly, inner harbour berths and new port area at Coatzacoalcos have been severely affected by an increase in sargassum weed, which blocks propellors on vessels and hinders their passage. Other ports in the area have also been affected. To help remove this weed, specialised boats have been built by the Mexican Navy which collect the weed, draining and bagging it for removal.

Terminales Transgolfo SA operate a rail ferry cargo vessel service to Mobile, Alabama from Ro-Ro berth No 9. Rail freight wagons just continue from the railway line onto a double deck ferry, and then roll off at Mobile to continue their rail journey.

Traffic

Approx 5,700,000t of cargo including 232,500t of grain, 29,600TEU, 1200 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Coatzacoalcos?

The pilot boards at Coatzacoalcos pilot boarding place, 18°11.8′N 094°25.4′W.

What time zone is Coatzacoalcos in?

Local time at Coatzacoalcos is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Coatzacoalcos?

The deepest berth listed is at PEMEX Pajaritos: 11.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Coatzacoalcos?

1010.

Which load line zone is Coatzacoalcos in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Coatzacoalcos?

Port State Control at Coatzacoalcos: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Coatzacoalcos?

The UN/LOCODE of Coatzacoalcos is MXCOA.

What crews who called at Coatzacoalcos 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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