Ports in Spain

All 70 ports in Spain

Each name opens its port guide: where the pilot boards, local time and summer time, water density, load line zone, the maximum draft per terminal, reporting before arrival and inspections.

Navigational warnings

Spain's waters are in NAVAREA II and NAVAREA III. A ship there keeps the in-force warnings of that area, and of any NAVAREA it passes on the way.

Before you call at Spain

Pre-arrival reporting

Spain operates a National Maritime Single Window called DUEPORT, managed by government agency Puertos del Estado under the authority of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. Vessels calling at Spanish ports are required to use the national single window for reporting and clearance. Spain operates in accordance with the IMO FAL Convention for vessel pre-arrival. Please see pre-arrival information of individual Spanish ports for more details.

Rules in port

In the EU, SOx emissions from ships are regulated by Directive (EU) 2016/802, known as the 'Sulphur Directive'.

Since 1st January 2015, stricter sulphur limits for marine fuel in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) apply (0.1%) as well as in sea areas outside ECAs (3.50%). In addition, a 0.1% maximum sulphur requirement for fuels used by ships at berth and anchorages within port limits was introduced in EU Ports from 1st January 2010. Furthermore, passenger ships operating on regular services to or from any EU port should not use marine fuels if their sulphur content exceeds 1.50% in sea areas outside the ECAs.

From 1st January 2020, ships operating outside of Emission Control Areas should not use marine fuels if their sulphur content exceeds 0.50%.

Search and rescue

MARINE INFORMATION

Pilotage: At the main Spanish ports pilotage services are normally provided by the "Corporacion de Practicos". Pilotage is usually compulsory for vessels over 50GT.

Pilot boats are generally black or grey with the letter "P" in white on each bow, or the word "Pilotos" in white on the sides.

Tankers: All single-hull tankers carrying heavy fuel, tar, asphaltic bitumen or heavy crude oil, whatever their flag, are forbidden entry to Spanish ports, terminals and anchorage areas.

Vessel Traffic Service

Strait of Gibraltar (Tarifa): This system is compulsory for all vessels equipped with VHF that:

Other vessels are invited to participate. Vessels participating under (4) above should precede details by the word DEFREP (deficiency report). Vessels, which wish to amend previously transmitted details, should use the prefix CHANGEREP.

Shore station: Tarifa VTS Station (Tarifa Servicio de Trafico Maritimo (STM)). Located in 36°01.1'N 005°34.8'W. Call "Tarifa Traffic" on VHF Ch 16, 10 throughout 24 hours. Tel: +34 956 685757; Fax: +34 956 643606; Telex: 78262.

Area: Strait of Gibraltar, between the meridians through the Cabo Espartel (Cap Spartel) and Punta Almina Lighthouses, excluding Gibraltar Bay and all waters N of a line bearing 085° from Punta Carnero Lighthouse to the meridian of Punta Almina Lighthouse.

Procedure: Vessel should report on VHF Ch 10 or 16, 2nm before entering the area or on leaving a port within it (if port is within Gibraltar Bay, when passing E of Punta Carnero, preceding the following by the word GIBREP:

Information 12 and 13 is only required if proceeding through the area.

Within the area, vessels should maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 10 or 16, or both.

Information broadcasts:

Radar surveillance: Covers the area within about 19nm of the station, except where obscured by high land.

Radar assistance: Available on request.

ISPS (ship and port security)

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

Dialling code +34. · The unit of currency is the euro, which is made up of 100 cent.

These country notes come from public port references and some may be several years old. Check with your agent.

Questions about ports in Spain

More guides

• Ports by countryevery country with port guides
• Sea distances between portsreal distances on shipping lanes
• NAVAREA warningsthe 21 areas and who broadcasts them