Genoa

1. Genova boarding — Pra entrance Pilot boards44°23.6′N 008°44.3′E
2. Pilot boarding place Pilot boards44°23.1′N 008°53.3′E
3. Genova boarding — Eastern entrance Pilot boards44°22.7′N 008°57.4′E

Size limits

LOA 399.0m, draught 14.10m, beam 56.4m,186,650DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m (spring), 0.1m (neap). A W'ly current exists outside the port. This current is also present in the Outer harbour, Lanterna and Sampierdarena basins. This current increases in strength during the Scirocco wind.

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

Approach

All entrances are approached from the S through a traffic separation scheme; the lanes lead through the outer anchorage area and berths.

Controlling depths:

Porto di Voltri. The Container Port entrance has a least depth of 20.8m.

Porto Petroli. The approach channel to the oil basin has a least depth of 15.0m, with height restrictions for airport.

Bocca de Levante (East entrance), the main entrance, has a least depth of 15.8m.

Bocca de Ponente (West entrance) has a least depth of 14.7m, maximum draught accepted 10.0m, with height restrictions for airport.

Multedo Isola SPM and SBM. The Isola SPM platform stands in a depth of 50m. The SBM is moored in a depth of 64.2m.

Port limits

Capitaneria del Porto de Genoa has jurisdiction to 3nm offshore from the vicinity of Varazze (44°21.5'N 008°34.5'E) to Moneglia (44°14.4'N 009°29.2'E), including the traffic separation schemes and anchorages of the port.

Anchorages

Caution: Owing to the formation of the mountains backing Voltri, N winds are very violent in this vicinity.

Tankers and vessels carrying dangerous cargoes: These vessels are permitted to anchor within Area Bravo or one of the lettered anchor berths for 48 hours only. Normally a vessel within this category, unable to reach a working berth within the period, will be required to depart the anchorage and await instructions outside Italian territorial waters. However in exceptional circumstances the port authority may permit an extension to the period at anchor. Mariners should note the arrival report for each vessel, required by the port captain, is subsequently used to plan vessel movements.

Vessels carrying hydrocarbons or other dangerous cargoes are not permitted to conduct transfer or transhipment at anchor.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the approaches to Multedo Oil Terminal. Stopping in this area is also prohibited except in normal circumstances when approaching the revolving platform (SBM) or the harbour entrance.

Tankers of more than 90,000t or more than 300m in length are prohibited from anchoring within an area enclosed by Diga Aeroporto, 44°23.5'N 008°49.3'E and Long 008°50'E.

Anchoring is prohibited, due to the existence of submarine cables, within an area, extending S from Punt Vagno. The landing places of the cables are marked by the alignment of two pairs of beacons (yellow and black ball topmark with letter "T") bearing 012° and 330°.

Several submarine pipelines extend up to 0.5nm seaward between Punta Vagno and a point approx 5nm E.

Restrictions

Speed limit of 6kts throughout the harbour.

Airport airdraught restrictions: Access to channels, basins and berths adjacent to the Cristoforo Colombo Airport is subject to maximum masthead height restrictions as follows:

Canale di Calma: 10m.

Bacino Polcevera W side: 26m, E side: 31m.

Ponte Ronco West: 37m, East: 52m.

Ponte Canepa & Ponte Libia: 52m.

There is also a traffic Air Obstruction Zone in operation with limits;

Within this zone vessels which are entering port take precedence over aircraft whilst vessels which are leaving port give way.

Vessels with an airdraught exceeding 48m, oil or chemical tankers or any vessel with an airdraught over 14m transiting the approach channel to the oil berth; intending to enter the zone or before letting go mooring prior to departure must report on VHF Ch 12 or 16 to harbour pilots and port operations room.

Tankers: Tankers are only permitted to berth or depart during the hours of daylight.

Submarine cables: The following submarine power cables are laid in the harbour area:

Between the light on the head of the inner E mole and the light on the spur 700m from the E head of the Molo Duca di Galliera;

Between the light on the Calata Olii Mierali and the light on the Molo Duca di Galliera opposite;

Between the light at the W end of Diga Aeroporto and the centre of the W end of the airport runway;

Between No 36, 38, 39 and 40 Light Beacons (starboard hand) of the Porto Petoli approach channel and the N side of the airport reclamation.

Tugs

There are 32 tugs available up to 16,000hp. Towage is not compulsory (at master's discretion). Service is available throughout 24 hours. Normally 0800-1700hrs, then overtime.

Mooring

Linesmen: Compulsory, 24 hours service. Normally 0800-1700hrs, then overtime.

Charts and publications

BA 354, 355, 356, 1461. US Publication 131. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The Harbour Master should received ETA in writing 24 hours in advance, but no more than 4 days in advance, of arrival. These details should be submitted between 0800-1200hrs on weekends.

Vessels should contact pilots on VHF Ch 12 or 10 when within range, stating IMO SRS items A, B, C/D and O. Departing or shifting vessels should contact pilots 2 hours prior to departing and confirmation should be sent 30 minutes before, stating IMO SRS items A, B and O.

Tankers must give 36 hours notice of ETA to the harbour master and must establish and maintain RT contact with Genoa Port Radio Station until they have entered the harbour.

Vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods must report to the port captain (harbour master) at least 24 hours in advance of entering Italian territorial waters.

Communications

Pilots: Tel: +39 010 246 1003, Fax: +39 010 246 1114. Email: [email protected]

Genoa Traffic: Tel: +39 010 277 7385, Fax: +39 010 277 7386. Email: [email protected]

Multedo Oil Harbour: Tel: +39 010 241 5574.

Voltri Termina Europa (VTE): Tel: +39 010 69961.

Documents

All ship's documents and certificates to be ready for inspection.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Officers board when vessel is alongside. Main bars/passenger bars/provisions and bonded store rooms/shops are not sealed unless the vessel's stopover in the port exceeds 12-14 hours.

Duty free shop and casino to be kept closed in port.

Immigration: Immigration patrol boards when vessel is alongside, with strict checking due to recent European Community regulations designed to combat increased illegal immigration.

Notices and regulations

Naval vessels: During the hours of darkness it is prohibited for craft of any type and also for swimmers, frogmen and divers, to approach within 0.25nm of military vessels of any nationality.

Dangerous cargo vessels: Vessels berthed at wharves whose dangerous cargoes are being discharged should have their funnel uptakes covered by metal gauze netting. Vessels which are loading or discharging cotton, jute, straw, hay and other inflammable goods, should also keep the galley funnel uptakes covered, the lighting of fires and smoking is strictly prohibited aboard such vessels.

Navigation is prohibited within 50m of Molo Duce di Galliera due to obstructions.

There are special regulations for ships of 1,600t and over entering or leaving the port carrying, loading or discharging dangerous liquid chemical or dangerous gaseous products.

Mariners are advised to confirm the details of all Harbour Regulations with the Port Authority.

Traffic Lanes (TSS): Use of the traffic lanes associated with each entrance is mandatory. Vessels are required to report inbound and outbound on passing the seaward end of the respective separation zone.

Airport height restrictions: Vessels with a masthead height exceeding 48m must report to the port operations room within the Harbour Masters Office and to the Harbour Pilots before entering the Control Zone or before preparing to move within it.

When transiting the Approach Channel to Porto Petroli all tankers, regardless of masthead height, and all other vessels with masthead height greater than 14m must report as above.

Vessels transiting the Approach Channel to Porto Petroli are prohibited from stopping between the head of the airport and the rubble breakwater opposite. All vessels using the Pra-Voltri canal di Calma must remain close to Porto di Voltri, Diga Foranea, maintaining a distance of 50 to 150m from it.

Speed limit: There is a speed limit of 6kts throughout the harbour.

Unprogrammed arrivals: Vessels seeking a berth without prior arrangement are to proceed to the Reporting Zone, approximately 5nm SSW of La Lanterna (44°24.3'N 008°54.3'E). On entering the zone a VHF report should be made to the harbour signal station and await instructions.

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: Italian Coast Guard Headquarters, Legal Department.

Address: Viale dell'Arte 16, I-00146 Rome, Italy.

Tel: +39 06 590 841 87.

Fax: +39 06 596 482 93.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it

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

Repairs

All types of major repairs can be undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from pier, 1 x UNI 4S shore connection every 25m along terminal/pier. Capacity 30tph each line.

Bunkering: Available by barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Ambulance radio centre, Tel: +39 10 5705951. Some ambulances have doctors aboard and are equipped for special emergencies (heart problems, etc), so always contact the agent for information on the best assistance available. Genoa has 15 city hospitals, plus University or private clinics. Normal assistance is free of charge as city hospitals belong to the National Health System. A police office is located in all hospital emergency rooms for reporting accidents. Chemists are located throughout the city. Tel: 192 for information on chemists on night or holiday duty. Home medical watch, Tel: +39 10 354022 (English speaking doctors).

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cristoforo Columbo International Airport, approx 6km. Direct flights to Brussels, Frankfurt, London (Gatwick), Munich, Paris and Zurich.

Nearest railway: Genoa (P Principe and Brignole).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours in four shifts of: 0630-1300hrs, 1300-1930hrs, 1930-0100hrs, 0100-0630hrs.

Where it is

Genoa is situated on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, approx 130km E of the French border.

The port

The port offers a sheltered harbour protected by three breakwaters running parallel to the coast. The port handles containers, raw materials, bulk cargoes, including oil (crude and products), chemicals, frozen foods, perishable goods, manufactured goods, Ro-Ro and general cargoes. In addition it is a major cruise ship and ferry port. Facilities provided by the port include a computerised merchandise sorting and consolidation centre, as well as all cargo facilities and three container terminals. A 2,000km overland oil pipeline connects the terminal to the most important European and N Italian refineries.

Traffic

Approx 68,000,000t of cargo, 3,000,000TEU (merged TEU figure with Savona-Vado), 13,000 vessels and 4,500,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Genoa?

The pilot boards at Genova boarding — Pra entrance, 44°23.6′N 008°44.3′E. Genoa has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Genoa in?

Local time at Genoa 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 Genoa?

The deepest berth listed is at Porto Petroli di Genova: 14.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Genoa?

1025.

Which load line zone is Genoa in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Genoa?

Port State Control at Genoa: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Genoa?

The UN/LOCODE of Genoa is ITGOA.

What crews who called at Genoa 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 Genoa →