PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Figueira da Foz
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for all vessels except for local traffic vessels, coastal fishing vessels and Portuguese warships. Vessels should contact the Pilot Office before entering or leaving the port. Call "Pilotos Figueira" on VHF Ch 16, 14. Tel: +351 23 342 3587, Fax: +351 23 342 9981. The working hours of the station are Mon-Fri, 0900-1200hrs and 1400-1730 hours LT. Pilotage is available during daylight hours only.
Pilot boards on the lead, 1nm from the head of the breakwaters. During a heavy swell, pilot will guide vessel by radio and board between the 2 breakwaters.
The following signals may be used: Meaning
Pilot will be advised by the Port Authority before boarding a vessel.
Key data
updated Jun 2021Size limits
LOA 140.88m, beam 18.9m, draught 6.5m, 10,509 DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean spring range 3.7m; mean neap range 0.8m.
Current: Current in the port approaches generally sets S at a rate of approximately 1kt but it is dependent on the prevailing winds and can set in any direction. In strong SW winds rates of up to 3kts have been experienced.
Tidal streams: Usually regular and strong; the out-going stream attaining a rate of 4kts or more during the rainy season. The tidal influence may be experienced up to 10nm inland from the river mouth.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multipurpose Terminal | 6.50 m | 120 m | 5 |
| Solid Bulk Terminal | 6.50 m | 120 m | 4 |
| Bituminous Products Terminal | 6.50 m | 100 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 May 2021Approach
Approaching from N Cabo Mondego should be given a clearance of at least 1nm to avoid dangers lying close off the cape and those which extend up to 0.25nm offshore between the cape and Buarcos, 1.75nm SE. Approaching from S, mariners should note the firing exercise area centred 2.5nm SSW of the port entrance. From the vicinity of (40°08.5'N 008°54'W) the alignment 081.5° of the leading lights (white columns with red stripes), which are positioned in the vicinity of Cais Comercial, leads between the mole heads and into anteporto. A light (white column, red bands, 7m in height) is exhibited from N mole head and a light (white column, green bands, 7m in height) is exhibited from S mole head.
The Camara Municiple (town hall, 40°09'N 008°51.2'W), a prominent building, stands at the E end of Doca da Figueira, 0.1nm NW of the front leading light.
When well inside the anteporto, a line of bearing keeping the N pillar of Ponte Nova (bridge spanning the river 1.5nm above the entrance, vertical clearance 39m) midway between Mohles Interior Notre and Sul, leads through Canal Notre to the vicinity of Cais Comercial.
Caution: A wreck (sunken barge) lies close off the W extremity of Molhe Interior Sul.
Regulations concerning entry: Vessels leaving have priority over those entering. Small craft must not impede the movement of larger vessels entering or leaving, both within the port, and within 2nm of the breakwater heads in the approach to the port.
Vessels must not exceed a speed of 5kts between the breakwater heads and the entrance to the docks 0.75nm E. Above this point speed must not exceed 3kts.
Port limits
The limits extend 2nm off the N pier.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained in convenient depths to the W and NW of Molhe Norte (40°08.8'N 008°52.4'W) exposed to winds from between S and NW. In good weather anchorage is available about 1.25nm offshore in a depth of 15.0m, fine sand with Molhe Norte bearing 090° and Buarcos Sectored Light (1nm N) bearing 048°; the anchorage provides some shelter from the swell from N winds which prevail in summer. Small vessels may anchor closer inshore.
Anchorage is prohibited in the port area.
Restrictions
Between Oct-Apr there is daylight entry only and May-Sep, from sunrise to 2400hrs. Channel approach is restricted by a sand bar, 4.5m depth, LW.
Vessels enter and depart close to HW. The bar is constantly shoaling and shifting and charted depths cannot be relied upon.
Tugs
4 tugs are available.
Charts and publications
BA 87, 3228, 3634, 3635. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Sep 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Approx ETA is to be sent to the ship's agent 24 hours prior to arrival and 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station.
Communications
Contact can be made to "Postradfoz" on 2182kHz, 2484kHz and 2657kHz.
VHF: Port Ch 11, 14 and 16.
Notice of readiness
Depending on terms of contracts of affreightment.
Health
A Health Declaration is required for vessels coming from ports outside the EU.
Customs and immigration
Customs, Delegacao Aduaneira, Tel: +351 33 23416, Fax: +351 33 29424.
Immigration, Brigada Fiscal, Tel: +351 33 22914, Fax: +351 33 23833.
Flags
Portuguese flag required.
Notices and regulations
Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will require sea carriers calling at EU ports to file Container Status Messages (CSMs). Vessels experiencing technical communication problems should report the issue via e-mail to the Commission's help-service email: [email protected].
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Jun 2021Repairs
Available from 4 small shipyards.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: HFO, IFO, DO/GO available, which is supplied by road tanker.
Medical
Health Unit of Sao Juliao, 1.1km and Figueira da Foz District Hospital, 6.8km.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Comimbra Airport Shuttle, located at Coimbra, 40km (Shuttle service for domestic only) and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport located at Maia, 148km.
Nearest railway: Figueira da Foz.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri, 0800-2359hrs.
About Figueira da Foz
updated Jun 2021Where it is
Figueira da Foz is a central W coast Portuguese port located S of Aveiro.
The port
The port handles general cargo, dry bulk and liquid cargo. As a tidal port, arrivals and sailing's are subject to tides. Delays may occur owing to bad weather, especially during winter months. The main cargoes include paper and pulp, sawn timber, logs and containers. The port also received occasional visits by small passenger ships.
Traffic
Approx 2,000,000t of cargo, 20,000TEU, 60 passengers and 500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Figueira da Foz
What are the pilot arrangements at Figueira da Foz?
Compulsory for all vessels except for local traffic vessels, coastal fishing vessels and Portuguese warships.
What time zone is Figueira da Foz in?
Local time at Figueira da Foz is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Figueira da Foz?
The deepest berth listed is at Multipurpose Terminal: 6.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Figueira da Foz?
1025.
Which load line zone is Figueira da Foz in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Figueira da Foz?
Port State Control at Figueira da Foz: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Figueira da Foz?
The UN/LOCODE of Figueira da Foz is PTFDF.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Figueira da Foz 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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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.