Ferrol

1. Ferrol zona de embarque A (punto representativo) Pilot boards43°26.6′N 008°22.5′W
2. Ferrol zona de embarque B (punto representativo) Pilot boards43°27.0′N 008°21.0′W
3. A Coruna-Ferrol Joint Anchorage boarding P1 Pilot boards43°22.2′N 008°26.2′W

Size limits

Max draught 20m, LOA 300m, beam 50m, 180,736DWT.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Tides rise approx 3.7m at springs and 2.9m at neaps.

Current goes around bay clockwise and is max on the flood and min on the ebb.

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

Approach

The entrance mouth to the bay has a width of 546m with a depth of 20.0m during LLW.

Directions for entering Ferrol Inner Harbour: A channel, length 4,000m, depth 11.3m LLW, width 160m, leads from the entrance passing SE of Bajo del Zarron, a bank extending 0.5nm SW from Cabo Priorino Chico, the N entry point to the inlet, from which a light is exhibited. Then NW of Merloeiras, shoal water extending up to 0.7nm WSW of Punta Coitelada, the S entry point to the inlet. A depth of 9.7m lies 500m W of Punta Coitelada. Then SE of 2 ODAS Lightbuoys (special), NW of No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) marking Bajo Muela del Segano, a shoal awash extending 200m NW from Punta del Segano, a rocky point surmounted by a watch tower, close off which lies the islet of La Muela.

Port limits

The port limits comprise the whole of the estuary E of the entrance.

Anchorages

The best anchorage in the harbour is No 2 anchorage (43°28.5'N 008°15.1'W), which affords shelter from all winds especially from NW winds, which are the strongest to be felt in the inlet. Vessels anchor between La Grana and the Commercial Port in depths of 12.0m, mud and sand, with good holding ground. Small vessels lie closer to La Grana, on the W side of the bay, whilst vessels working cargo anchor nearer Ferrol.

No 3 and No 4 anchorages, with depths of 14.0m, are situated 0.75nm and 1.50nm respectively ENE of Punta Leiras.

Vessels carrying explosives and dangerous cargoes anchor in an area 0.450nm E of Punta Leiras (43°28.0'N 008°15.2'W).

Anchorage is prohibited within 250m of a dolphin, 43°28'N 008°15'W.

Restrictions

Vessels over LOA 215m cannot enter at night.

Small rowing fishing vessels from just outside breakwater entrance to approx 2-3nm seaward.

Tugs

Tugs of 200-4,000hp available. Fire fighting Navy tugs available, also 4 commercial tugs with fire fighting facilities. Vessels exceeding LOA 165m entering or leaving at slack water should be escorted by one tug of 32t bollard pull. Additionally, vessels exceeding LOA 210m entering or leaving at slack water and in daylight should also be escorted by a tug of 32t bollard pull.

Reganosa Terminal: 4 tugs for berthing/unberthing and 1 tug on standby anchored off berth while LNG vessel alongside.

Mooring

Mooring buoys are laid on the W side of Ensenada de la Malata between La Grana and Muelle Nuevo.

Charts and publications

BA 1111, 1117, 1118, 1094. US Chart 143. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should contact Ferrol Pilots on VHF Ch 14, 40 minutes prior to arrival at the pilot boarding position, to confirm ETA.

Communications

VHF: Port: Coruna Traffic: Ch 10. Port Authority: Tel: +34 9813 38000, Fax: +34 981 338001, email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 14, 16, 10, 11, 12, 13. Tel: +34 981 353527. Fax: +34 981 351399. Email: [email protected].

Notices and regulations

Vessels are not to enter the fairway to Puerto Ferrol when winds exceed 40kts or visibility is less than 800m.

Vessels reaching the outer limits of the port are to have anchors cleared away and ready for instant use.

Vessels are prohibited, from navigating within 50m of the naval base at La Grana nor are they allowed to berth there, or at Darsenas No 1 and 2 on the E side of the commercial port, without prior permission.

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: 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

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

Tank cleaning and gas freeing: Facilities suitable for vessels up to 35,000DWT, are provided at a 'T' jetty, 150m in length with a depth of 11.5m alongside, situated on the N side of Punta Promontorio, 0.750nm SSE.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Bunkers available.

Stores: Good supply of fresh provisions are available.

Medical

Available at Ferrol.

Crew change

Possible, by arrangement with agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Santiago de Compostela and La Coruna.

Airport facilities: Daily domestic and international flights. Santiago de Compostela Airport is 85km (Lavacolla Airport), and La Coruna Airport is 45km (Alvedro Airport).

Nearest railway: Railway in port.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs and 1330-1730hrs. Overtime throughout 24 hours is possible. The Outer Harbour is operational throughout 24hours.

Where it is

Ferrol is located on the NW coast of Spain.

The port

The sheltered harbour, with its large size, convenient depths and good holding ground is one of the safest and best harbours in Spain. It contains a Naval base and commercial terminal with facilities to handle coal, container, break bulk, cement, passenger, Ro-Ro and liquid cargo. The new outer harbour is protected by a breakwater 900m in length. The port has an extensive ship repair/shipbuilding facility (Navantia/Izar), liquid bulk terminal (Forestal del Atlantico Terminal) and LNG terminal (Reganosa Terminal).

The port of San Cibrao (also known as San Ciprian), in position 43°43'N 007°28'W, E of Viveiro, is a private concession facility for an aluminium factory owned by Alcoa, which is also within the control of the Ferrol-San Cibrao Port Authority. See separate entry under San Ciprian.

Imports: Coal, scrap iron, timber, machinery and oil.

Exports: Shipbuilding (FPSO's, Navy vessels), fishing trawlers, steel, chipboard, minerals, timber and machinery.

Traffic

Approx 7,824,000t of cargo (Including 4,730,000t of coals), 4,500TEU, 27,700 passengers and 740 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ferrol?

The pilot boards at Ferrol zona de embarque A (punto representativo), 43°26.6′N 008°22.5′W. Ferrol has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Ferrol in?

Local time at Ferrol is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Ferrol?

The deepest berth listed is at Ferrol Container Terminal: 20.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ferrol?

1020.

Which load line zone is Ferrol in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ferrol?

Port State Control at Ferrol: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ferrol?

The UN/LOCODE of Ferrol is ESFRO.

What crews who called at Ferrol 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.

Read and add tips for Ferrol →