Ensenada

1. Ensenada pilot boarding place Pilot boards31°48.2′N 116°39.2′W

Size limits

LOA 350.56m, beam 48.58m, draught 14.5m, 131,095DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

Tides

Range 1.8m.

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

Approach

The maintained depth of the port is 14.5m.

From the pilot boarding position the port is approached and entered from the S via a buoyed channel, 1,600m in length, dredged depth 16.25m. This channel leads to a turning basin off the Container terminal, 450m in diameter, depth 15.25m and draught 14.5m. This depth continues to the full length of the container terminal berths.

Anchorages

Good anchorage may be obtained in the bight situated approx 4nm E of Punta Banda (31°45'N 116°45'W) in depths from 5.5-18.3m, sand and mud. This anchorage is considered the best open anchorage during S and N winds.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels over 2,500t.

Charts and publications

BA 1029, 1049, 1938. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).

US 21021, 21140. US Sailing Directions 153.

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

Repair yard available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available but limited in summer.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

There are 4 hospitals available.

Transport

Nearest airport: There is 1 small airfield at Cipres and an International airport at Tiijuana, 120km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Overtime available on request.

Where it is

Ensenada is situated, 120km S of west coast US border, on NE coast of Bahia de Todos Santos.

(For Energia Costa Azul LNG facility, 15nm NW, see separate entry under Costa Azul LNG).

The port

The port is protected by a breakwater approx 1,800m in length. The port handles container, dry bulk, general cargo vessels and cruise ships. There are also fishing, yachting, repair facilities and a Naval base.

Main exports are cotton, grain and cement. Main imports are fertilisers.

Traffic

Approx 3,600,000t of cargo, 400,000TEU, 94,000 passengers and 7,500 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ensenada?

The pilot boards at Ensenada pilot boarding place, 31°48.2′N 116°39.2′W.

What time zone is Ensenada in?

Local time at Ensenada is UTC−8. Clocks go to UTC−7 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−8 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Ensenada?

The deepest berth listed is at Ensenada International (EIT) Multipurpose Terminal (Terminal de Usos Multiples): 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ensenada?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ensenada in?

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ensenada?

Port State Control at Ensenada: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ensenada?

The UN/LOCODE of Ensenada is MXESE.

What crews who called at Ensenada 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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