PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
General Santos
Pilot
updated May 2010- General Santos pilot boarding Pilot boards06°05.0′N 125°10.0′E
Compulsory for all foreign registered vessels of 100GT and over, and domestic vessels of 50GT and over. Available throughout 24 hours. Six pilots are available on a shift basis. The pilot boards 1nm E from Dole Wharf. If the berth is occupied, the pilot will anchor the vessel. ETA should be made through Manila Coast Radio Station.
Key data
updated May 2021Size limits
LOA 293.18, beam 40m, draught 12.8m, 72,370DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.8m. Any currents that occur near the wharf are caused by tidal flow inside the bay and by the ocean current outside the bay. Currents at Sarangani are anti clockwise, including those caused by tidal flow. Currents at Makar Wharf are generally from the NE and are of little concern for ships approaching or berthing at the wharf.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makar Wharf | 12.80 m | 293 m | 9 |
| Cargill Terminal | 10.40 m | 183 m | 1 |
| Petron Corporation Depot - Bawing | — | 105 m | 1 |
| Southern Fishing Corp | — | 108 m | 1 |
| Dole Philippines Inc | 7.50 m | 113 m | 1 |
| General Milling Corp | 6.20 m | 81 m | 1 |
| General Santos Fish Port Complex | — | — | 1 |
| SEAOIL General Santos Depot | — | — | 1 |
| YBS Green Oil | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2013Approach
There are no aids to navigation in Sarangani Bay and its approaches, but the area poses no significant navigational difficulties to radar-equipped ships. Ships approaching Sarangani Bay from the W must keep approx 1.5nm S of Taliak Point in order to avoid a coral reef.
Approach and entry: The port is approached from the SSW and entered between Tampuan Point and Sumbang Point.
Directions: From a position S Balanting Point (05°52'N 125°04'E) the track leads NNE, passing with positions from London Point (05°59'N 125°07'E):
ESE of Taliak Point (9.5nm SSW), then:
ESE of Balanting Point (8.25nm SSW), then:
ESE of Tempuan Point (0.7nm SSW).
WSW of Sumbang Point (9.5nm SSE), marked by a prominent white cliff 15m high. South of the point the coast is fringed by a narrow coral reef strewn with boulders drying at LW. Trees along the coast grow down to the HW line. There is a prominent white cliff N of Tango Point 3.5nm NNE of Sumbang Point. Then:
ESE of Tampat Point (4nm SSW), the S entrance Point to Linao Cove. A white triangle stands on the hill approx 1nm W of the point. Then: WNW of Tango Point (8.25nm SE), the N entrance Point to Canalasan Cove, then:
ESE of London Point close SE of which is a shoal with a depth of 5.9m over it, then: WNW of Lun Point (10nm ENE), shallow water extends 0.3nm W of the point.
From this position the track continues NNE for approximately 1.5nm to the pilot boarding ground of Makar Cove.
Port limits
The port of General Santos embraces all that portion of Sarangani Bay N of a line drawn from Tampuan Point (05°53'N 125°05'E) to Sumpang Point (0.6nm ESE), entrance points into the bay.
Anchorages
A recommended anchorage has been established, near the head of the bay. Other recommended anchorages are established off the mouth of Siloway River. All these anchorages are located near the edge of the deep water shelf.
The quarantine anchorage is situated approx 1.25nm ESE of Siloway River mouth.
Restrictions
No restrictions are imposed to enter the harbour limits at night time, but agents are required to notify and secure permits from authorities concerned before vessels are allowed to enter.
Tugs
Tugs are available. Tug assistance is compulsory for all foreign and domestic vessels with 1,500GT and above. Service provided by Aguilar Maritime Link Services, Inc.
Mooring
Can be discussed during berthing meetings at 0900hrs daily on a first come, first served and readiness to work basis.
Charts and publications
BA 957. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jun 2011Communications
VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, hours 0630-0700 and by arrangement, 1hrs notice to pilots required. Vessels calling at the port are requested to use this frequency for instructions.
Notice of readiness
NOR to be tendered during berthing meetings conducted daily at 0900hrs.
Health
Quarantine officials are available at the port.
Customs and immigration
Immigration officials are available at the port.
Notices and regulations
Time limitation of vessels at berth: The volume of cargo in the controlling hatch determines the time limitation of vessels at berth. Vessels that are moved out of berth on justifiable grounds forfeit their priority, and will be considered as new arrivals.
Inspections
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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC
Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.
Fax: +63 2 725 4787
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Apr 2013Repairs
Available at Gensan Shipyard and Machine Works Inc approx 9nm at the position of 5° 57.245'N, 125° 6.015'E.
Dry docks
Available at Gensan Shipyard and Machine Works Inc approx 9nm at the position of 5° 57.245'N, 125° 6.015'E.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available during daylight, 7 days a week from Caltex, Petron and Shell Philippines.
Medical
St Elizabeth Hospital, Mindanao Medical Centre, Socsargen County Hospital, General Santos District Hospital.
Crew change
For crew change, clearance from the Bureau of Immigration must be supplied by the ship's agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: General Santos City International Airport.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours on a shift basis.
About General Santos
updated Sep 2026Where it is
General Santos, alternatively known as Makar, is located on the N shore of Sarangani Bay, in the S of Mindanao Island approx 2km from General Santos City.
The port
The port is considered to be the Philippines first modern port, incorporating the facilities required for the accommodation of general and bulk cargo (liquid/solid) vessels, break bulk vessels, Ro-Ro's and container ships. Fruit, fruit juices, vegetables, cut flowers, copra, coconut oil, tuna fish and other marine products are among the leading exports, also handling livestock.
Traffic
Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 250,000TEU, 3,000 vessels and 15,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about General Santos
Where does the pilot board at General Santos?
The pilot boards at General Santos pilot boarding, 06°05.0′N 125°10.0′E.
What time zone is General Santos in?
Local time at General Santos is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at General Santos?
The deepest berth listed is at Makar Wharf: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at General Santos?
1025.
Which load line zone is General Santos in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at General Santos?
Port State Control at General Santos: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of General Santos?
The UN/LOCODE of General Santos is PHGES.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at General Santos 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.
Plan a route to General Santos →
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.