Faro & Olhao

Size limits

LOA 120m, draught 8.0m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.8m; mean neap range 1.2m.

Tidal streams: Tidal streams are very strong over the bar and attain a rate of between 5 and 8kts on the outgoing stream at springs. A strong cross set may also be experienced on the bar.

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

Approach

Approach and entry: The approach to both ports is through Barra Nova, also known as Barra de Faro-Olhao, which leads between the island of Ilha da Barreta (37°58'N 007°54'W) and Ilha da Culatra (close E) on the W end of which stands Cabo de Santa Maria Light. This common entrance, protected by breakwaters, leads to channels leading NW to Faro and NE to Olhao.

Directions: From the vicinity of 37°56'N 007°52'W, on the bearing 352° of Molhe Oeste Light (red metal structure, 5m in height) leads across the bar to the channel entrance and on the following alignment: Bar leading lights:

Front light: Barra Nova Light (white concrete column, red bands, 37°58.1'N 007°51.9'W), situated on the roof of Molhe Leste.

Rear light: Cabo de Santa Maria Light (512m NNE of the front light).

The alignment 021° of these lights leads vessels NNE between the breakwaters, Molhe Leste and Molhe Oeste, 160m apart, to the vicinity of No 2 Lightbuoy (port hand) when the fairway leads N and then NNW to the junction with the Faro and Olhao Channels, passing E of No 4 and No 6 Lightbuoys (port hand) which mark the extremity of Ilha da Barreta.

A light (metal column on building, 6m in height) is exhibited from the inner end of a training wall on the W extremity of Ilha da Culatra. A light (round concrete column) is exhibited from the head of Molhe Leste.

Faro channel: From the head of Barra Nova a channel marked over its first 2 legs by leading lights and throughout by lightbuoys and buoys (odd numbers to starboard, even numbers to port) leads NW for approx 4.5nm to Faro. The appearance of the channel differs markedly between HW and LW.

Mar Santo leading lights (first leg):

Front light: Mar Santo Light (column, red and white bands, 5m in height, 36°58.4'N 007°52.0'W).

Rear light: Cabo de Santa Maria Light (250m E of the front light).

From a position 0.15nm W of the light on the inner end of Ilha da Culatra training wall and N of No 6 Lightbuoy, the alignment 099°, astern, of these lights, marks the S limit of shoal water, also marked by lightbuoys (starboard hand), on the N side of Mar Santo, the first leg of the channel. A track slightly to the S of this alignment should be followed.

Leading lights (second leg):

Front light: Situated on Fabrica Fritz, a long yellow building (lantern on wall, 5m in height, 37°00.7'N 007°54.9'W).

Rear light: Situated on Santo Antonio do Alto Church (tower, 21m in height, 700m NW of the front light).

From a position 1nm W of Mar Santo front leading light, the alignment 328° of these lights leads vessels NW for approx 0.6nm in the second leg of the channel, which is also marked by lightbuoys (port hand) and a buoy (starboard hand).

Then the channel, further marked by lightbuoys, continues NW to Cais Comercial and to the upper harbour. Above Cais Comercial, the channel narrows and is suitable only for vessels less than 50m in length.

Olhao Channel: From the inner end of Barra Nova, the channel, marked by leading lights and lightbuoys (odd numbers to starboard, even numbers to port), leads first NE then N, then NE again to Olhao.

Golada Leading Lights:

Front light: Situated on the W side of Barra Nova (36°58.1'N 007°52.5'W, white column, red bands, on white base, 6m in height).

Rear light: Situated approx 450m SW of the front light, similar structure, 7m in height.

The alignment 219.5°, astern, of these lights leads NE in the first leg passing, with positions from Ponte Cais Light (green column, 4m in height, 36°59.7'N 007°50.5'W):

NW of Cais do Farol (1.6nm SW), a pier from the head of which a light (green column, 5m in height) is exhibited. Then SE of No 6 (O) Lightbuoy (port hand, 1.4nm SW), moored at the extremity of a drying bank on the N side of the channel; then NW of Ponte do Carvao (0.8nm SW), a pier towards the root of which a light (green column, 4m in height) is exhibited; then SE and NE of No 8 Lightbuoy (port hand, 0.5nm W) and on the alignment of, Arraiais Leading Lights:

Front light: Situated on Ilha da Culatra (white triangle, black stripe, on concrete column, 5m in height, 36°59.4'N 007°50.5'W).

Rear light: Situated on an old lifeboat house (similar structure, 8m in height, 220m SE of the front light).

The alignment 124°, astern, of these lights leads NW in the second leg of the channel passing (with positions from Ponte Cais Light):

SW of No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand, 0.85nm WNW); then on the alignment of Murtinas Leading Lights:

Front light: Situated on the N shore of the estuary (red column, white bands, 4m in height, 37°01.3'N 007°51.7'W).

Rear light: Situated 300m N of the front light (similar structure, 7m in height).

The alignment 352.5° of these lights leads N in the third leg of the channel passing (with position from Ponte Cais Light):

W of No 3 Lightbuoy (starboard hand, 1.2nm NW); then, on the alignment of Cais Leading Lights:

Front light: White column, red bands, 7m in height, at Olhao.

Rear light: Church belfry on Olhao Church (12m in height, 360m NE of the front light).

The alignment 044° of these lights leads NE in the fourth leg of the channel to the vicinity of No 10 Lightbuoy (port hand, 1.2nm NNW of Ponte Cais Light), when the channel, further marked by lightbuoys, continues ENE to Olhao basin.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained 1nm S of Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse in depths of approx 42m. Vessels too deep to enter the ports may work cargo into lighters at this anchorage if weather permits. Small craft may obtain anchorage in depths of approx 10.0m, 0.8nm SE of Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse, or in depths of 11.0m, 1.5nm E of the lighthouse.

Restrictions

There is a bar at the entrance channel with depth 4.0-5.0m at LW, 6.0-6.4m at HW.

Tugs

Two tugs of 400hp is available, the use of which is mandatory for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.

Charts and publications

BA 83, 89, 92. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA is to be sent 24 hours prior to arrival.

Port State Control here: Paris 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: Instituto Portuario e dos Transportes Maritimos.

Position: Chairman.

Address: Edificio Vasco da Gama, Rua General Gomes Araujo, P-1399-005, Lisbon, Portugal.

Tel: +351 21 391 4712

Mob: +351 91 971 3089

Website: http://www.imarport.pt

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Faro has a small craft shipyard where minor repairs can be carried out. Olhao has small craft repair facilities.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Medical

Faro Hospital available, 1.5km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Faro-Olhao, 8km.

Nearest railway: Faro-Olhao.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime available.

Where it is

Faro & Olhao is a S Portuguese port located 282km to the NW of Gibraltar.

The port

Faro is a busy commercial port on the W side of Ria Formosa, a marshy estuary, Olhao stands on the E side of the estuary 4.5nm E of Faro and is an important fishing port.

Traffic

Approx 396,000t of cargo and 85 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Faro & Olhao?

Compulsory for all vessels except Portuguese warship and coastguard vessels, pleasure craft, coastal and fishing vessels.

What time zone is Faro & Olhao in?

Local time at Faro & Olhao is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Faro & Olhao?

1025.

Which load line zone is Faro & Olhao in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Faro & Olhao?

Port State Control at Faro & Olhao: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Faro & Olhao?

The UN/LOCODE of Faro & Olhao is PTFAO.

What crews who called at Faro & Olhao 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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