PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Funchal
Pilot
updated Feb 2014- Porto do Funchal pilot boarding Pilot boards32°37.8′N 016°53.6′W
Pilotage is compulsory for the following areas.
Vessels should send request for pilotage up to 1200hrs on the day prior entry to the port.
Pilot will board approx 1nm SE of the Molhe de Pontinha Light.
The signals to request a pilot are, during the day the flag "G" of the "International Code of Signals" and at night a beam of light every 15 minutes. To call the pilot in port the signal is 3 long and 3 short blasts on the ship's whistle.
Key data
updated Dec 2021Size limits
Harbour: Max LOA 337m, beam 42m, draught 10.7m, 17,986DWT.
Praia Formosa Offshore Tanker Berth: LOA 220m, draught 10.5m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer zone.
Tides
Highest tides occur during the month of Sep and the average rise and fall during this month is 2.6m. Lowest tides occur during the month of May, when the average rise and fall is 2.0m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontinha South Cruise Terminal | 10.70 m | 337 m | 2 |
| International Passenger Terminal | — | 253 m | 1 |
| Socorridos Cement Terminal | — | 130 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 Dec 2021Anchorages
There are 4 anchorage areas A, B, C, D.
The Quarantine and Dangerous cargo anchorages are in Area C.
Winter weather: During winter indications of the approach of bad weather must be monitored and if necessary vessels should shift anchorage or put to sea. Small vessels frequently put to sea on the approach of a gale, but in a W gale a well found vessel may ride safely E of the breakwater. If detained at anchor in the bay, it is necessary to check for dragging.
Prohibited navigation zones: Consists of three areas, Garajau Nature Reserve; Portuguese Shell Terminal (Praia Formosa) and Madeira Cement (Praia da Vitoria).
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available, "Cabo Girao" and "Ponta do Garajau" each 1,000hp. When towing the tugs lines are used.
Mooring
Due to the size of the port, whenever 3 or more passenger ships call on the same day cargo ships are removed to the anchorage.
Charts and publications
BA 1685, 1831. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2014ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA, if possible, should be advised 48 hours prior to arrival, then 12 hours prior to arrival and whenever the time changes by more than 2 hours. The ETA must be advised during normal weekdays. For weekends or Monday morning arrivals, this message must arrive, by the latest, on Friday at 1100hrs.
The ETA message should include date and time of arrival as well as draughts forward and aft. Other items and/or requirements such as water, tugs, gangway, number of crew/passengers onboard, etc should also be advised.
Communications
HF: The working frequencies are 2182kHz, 2252kHz, 2657kHz.
VHF: Harbour Master: Ch 16, 11. Available 24 hours.
Port Authority: Ch 16, 08, 11.
Pilots: Ch 16, 14, 68. Tel: 351 291 208610. Email: [email protected]
Safety of Navigation: Ch 13.
Tugs: Ch 09, 10, 69.
Intership: Ch 06, 08.
Marina: Ch 62.
Notice of readiness
Tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party.
Documents
The agent will arrange all other entry and clearance documents.
Documents are distributed between the Harbour Master, Customs, Immigration, Health Authorities and agents. The required documentation can be completed on the ship's own forms.
Health
Free pratique granted only upon berthing. Maritime Health Declaration must be presented on arrival to the Health Authorities.
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate is issued.
Customs and immigration
All crew going ashore must be in possession of a special landing card, supplied by the agent, which must also be shown to the Immigration Officer, at the gangway, before crew proceed ashore. It is also advisable that all crew members wishing to go ashore carry their identity cards, Seaman's Books or passports. Indonesian nationality crew members cannot go ashore.
Visas are not required for member countries of the European Community or certain other countries, Canada or the United States of America. Passengers in transit going ashore must be in possession of a special landing card stamped by the authorities, which must be shown to the Immigration Officer on duty at the gangway before passengers proceed ashore. Indonesian nationality passengers cannot go ashore. These passenger landing cards will be handed over by the boarding agent, upon vessel's arrival.
Flags
There are no special flag requirements other than those normally displayed in accordance with the International Code of Signals.
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 Dec 2021Repairs
There is a reliable shipyard for repairs. Iron castings up to 1t, portable welding plants, air compressors and ship plates in stock, are available.
Dry docks
There is a drydock available, for vessels up to 90m.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Supplied directly through a piping system installed on the pier. Each water connection has the capacity to supply a flow of 100-200tph.
Bunkering: Shell Portuguese SA is authorised to supply marine fuel oil (all grades available), diesel and gas oils to vessels berthed alongside the quay. No lighterage is available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, 2.2km.
Crew change
Madeira Island is strategically placed in the Atlantic Ocean, and is often used as a port for crew changing.
Transport
Nearest airport: Madeira Airport (formerly Santa Catarina Airport),19.3km.
Working hours
Customs Guards work throughout 24 hours.
Services rendered outside above hours are subject to overtime rates.
About Funchal
updated Dec 2021Where it is
Funchal is situated on the S coast of Madeira.
The port
It is an important passenger terminal for the island's tourist trade.
Madeira consists of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and a group of uninhabited islands, Desertas and Selvagens.
Madeira island has an E-W length of 57km and a max N-S width of 23km.
Large passenger vessels such as the "QE2" have called at the pier.
Traffic
Approx 800 TEU, 600 vessels and 400,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Funchal
Where does the pilot board at Funchal?
The pilot boards at Porto do Funchal pilot boarding, 32°37.8′N 016°53.6′W.
What time zone is Funchal in?
Local time at Funchal 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 Funchal?
The deepest berth listed is at Pontinha South Cruise Terminal: 10.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Funchal?
1025.
Which load line zone is Funchal in?
Summer zone.
Who carries out Port State Control at Funchal?
Port State Control at Funchal: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Funchal?
The UN/LOCODE of Funchal is PTFNC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Funchal 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.