PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Dos Bocas
Pilot
updated Apr 2017- Dos Bocas Terminal pilot boarding place Pilot boards18°39.6′N 093°10.6′W
Pilotage is compulsory and is available Mon-Sat 0800hrs to 1800hrs LT and Sun 0800hrs to 1200hrs LT. Pilot boards in position 18°39.6'N 93°10.6'W (2.0nm North of the SBMs).
Send ETA 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance to agents and Pemex. Any change in ETA of 12 hours or more should be notified. Pilot boards 2nm NW or N of the SBM's.
Key data
updated Dec 2024Size limits
Harbour: LOA 199.98m, beam 40m, draught 5.4m, 63,520DWT.
Off Shore: LOA 350m, BCM 183m, draught 27.43m, 319,547DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Offshore currents set to the W at 0.5kt between Apr and Sep, and to the E at 1.5kts on occasions, between Oct and Mar. N of Coatzacoalcos and outside the continental shelf, the current meets with the counter current setting S along the coast of Veracruz, resulting in a combined current setting to the NNE.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dos Bocas Offshore Oil Terminal | 27.43 m | 350 m | 2 |
| Olmeca Refinery Terminal | 5.40 m | 200 m | 3 |
| PEMEX Supply Terminal | 5.20 m | 180 m | 6 |
| Roca Port Terminal | — | 87 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 Mar 2022Approach
The port approach channel, length 3.0km, width 100m and depth 10m enters between two breakwaters then divides into two channels. The channel continues into the Pemex Supply Basin which has a depth of 7.0m. The other channel leads off to the Multi Purpose Terminal via a channel length 2,100m, width 100m and depth 9.0m. This channel leads to a turning basin off the berth 300m in diameter and depth 9.0m.
Tugs
Available for mooring and unmooring.
Mooring
Single Buoy Moorings: Vessels may be requested to move before periods of bad weather.
Vessels are required to have a Panama lead of 457mm x 610mm and a 15t amidships derrick. Loading rate is 35,000 to 40,000bbls/hr. Vessels over 250,000DWT must receive prior approval from Pemex to load.
At these buoys, vessels over 250,000DWT and up to 275,000DWT will be required to load cargo and discharge ballast simultaneously in order to avoid excessive freeboard. Two valve separation must be maintained between cargo and ballast tanks.
Charts and publications
BA 359, 2626, 1307. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).
US 28260. US Sailing Directions No 148 (Caribbean Sea Vol II).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2017Communications
The following coastal radio stations are recommended:
West Coast Mexico: International station and Mobile Radio (USA).
East Coast Mexico: Mobile, Alabama Radio.
The stations work throughout 24 hours.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
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. Port Authority requires, in addition to original Ship's certificates, all original Officers' licenses and Ratings/Crew seamen's books to be examined ashore. Agent collects such documents and returns them prior Vessel sails from terminal.
Health
Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive on board the vessel. Free pratique is not granted by radio.
Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) 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.
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 Mar 2022Repairs
Fabrication, repair, and maintenance available at EVYA Yard.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by truck including Low Sulphur Fuels.
Medical
General Hospital PEMEX, 5km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Villahermosa, 63km.
Highway: Access to all major network.
About Dos Bocas
updated Dec 2024Where it is
Dos Bocas is located in the Mexican state of Tabasco, E of Coatzacoalcos in the S part of the Bay of Campeche.
The port
The original port area of Dos Bocas, to the East, was built for Pemex for their sole use. Two Single Buoy Moorings are in operation 11.0nm North, operated and serviced by Pemex for handling tankers. Over time Dos Bocas has evolved into an important transport hub in the Gulf of Mexico with its proximity to the United States. The port area now handling container, break bulk and a small amount of dry bulk cargo. Dos Bocas has a specialist EVYA Yard providing fabrication, repair, maintenance and supply services to the offshore industry and the Port's Multipurpose Terminal (La Terminal de Usos Multiples, known as "TUM") has been built in a separate harbour area to the West.
Traffic
Approx 20,300,000t of cargo and 5,000 vessels are handled annually.
Questions about Dos Bocas
Where does the pilot board at Dos Bocas?
The pilot boards at Dos Bocas Terminal pilot boarding place, 18°39.6′N 093°10.6′W.
What time zone is Dos Bocas in?
Local time at Dos Bocas is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Dos Bocas?
The deepest berth listed is at Dos Bocas Offshore Oil Terminal: 27.43 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Dos Bocas in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Dos Bocas?
Port State Control at Dos Bocas: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Dos Bocas?
The UN/LOCODE of Dos Bocas is MXDBT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Dos Bocas 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.
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.