Gioia Tauro

1. Gioia Tauro – punto di imbarco pilota Pilot boards38°27.1′N 015°51.0′E

Size limits

LOA 399.995m, beam 61.514m, draught 15.5m, 272,353DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range approx 0.60m.

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

Approach

The channel has a min width of 235m and the fairway a min width of 170m with a depth of 18.0m.

The port has a large turning basin, 750m in diameter, located to the S, which connects to the 3km length channel like berthing area (min width of 220m), ending in a 450m width turning basin to the N. The berthing area has depths alongside from 12.5m to 18.0m.

Port limits

The port limits extend 1nm out from the breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic schemes have not been adopted.

Anchorages

Vessels intending to remain at anchor near the entrance must report their position by radio to the Gioia Tauro Maritime Navigation Office (Circomare), also including any other relevant information.

Vessels waiting to enter the port must anchor N of a line between position (38°35.1'N 015°42.9'E) and the light on Molo Nord, remaining at a distance not less than 1.5nm from the coast and clear of a restricted area established along the coast to the N of the port.

The port has good holding ground but entry is always subject to strong cross currents within the Strait. Anchorage can be obtained close inshore in fine weather off Gioia Tauro; local knowledge is required.

A convenient berth is with the S factory chimney on the beach bearing 165°.

Caution: It is dangerous to remain in the roadstead with winds from the W semi-circle.

Restrictions

A restricted area in position 38°29.0'N 015°54.0'E.

Tugs

There are 2 azimuth stern drive tugs available, each with twin engines rated at 1,470kW; bollard pull of 53.5t.

Container Terminal: 4 x 6,000/6,500hp

Charts and publications

BA 1019, 1018, 1941. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised by fax at least 24 hours prior to arrival of vessel.

Vessels should contact Porto de Gioia Tauro Circomare on VHF Ch 16 or 09 at least 1 hour before ETA.

Communications

Contact Information:

Port authority:

Telephone: +039-0966-588640

Facsimile: +039-0966-588617

Harbour master:

Call sign: Gioia Tauro Capitaneria

VHF: Ch 16

Telephone: +039-0966-562911

Facsimile: +039-0966-562900

Mooring:

VHF: Ch 9 or 16

Telephone: +039-0966-766448

Tugs:

VHF: Ch 12

Telephone: +039-0966-714241

Maritime Advisory Service:

VHF: Ch 11

Pilots:

Call sign: Piloti Gioia Tauro

VHF: Ch 9

Telephone: +039-0966-506587

Facsimile: +039-0966-504865

Documents

All usual EC and ISPS documents are required.

Health

Certificate of pratique required. Message to be sent to Sanimare Reggio Calabria, 12 hours prior to arrival of vessel, by Fax: +39 0966 714288; Telex: 890016 med con i.

Customs and immigration

The agent will inform Customs and Immigration of the vessel's ETA.

Notices and regulations

In addition, vessels should indicate any condition which may affect the safety of navigation or of the environment.

Vessels navigating in the areas concerned should establish and maintain contact with the appropriate port captain, advising him immediately of any incidents or defects which may affect the safety of navigation or of the environment. Pilots should be employed outside the areas of compulsory pilotage whenever the condition of the cargo or navigation conditions (including reduced visibility) require.

Call: "Gioia Tauro Capitaneria" on VHF Ch 16 or 13, 0800-2000hrs;

Harbour regulations: Vessels intending to remain at anchor near the entrance, though outside the port limits must report their position by radio to the Gioia Tauro Maritime Navigation Officer (Ciromare), also indicating any information pertaining to the vessel.

Merchant vessels leaving the port have precedence over those entering; military units have precedence over all craft, whether those craft are entering or leaving.

The approach, mooring and stopping of vessels within the harbour area must be authorised by the maritime authority, previously requested at least 24 hours before ETA, as soon as possible and, in any case, at least 1 hour before ETA, vessels must contact Porto di Gioia Tauro Circomare by VHF Ch 16.

It is prohibited to remain at anchor within the harbour area, with the exception of those cases for which Circomare can authorise stopping in Bacino di Espansione, in such a position as not to impede the normal passage of vessels.

The discharge into the sea of refuse of any kind, the cleaning of bilges, and all other activities which could cause marine pollution, are prohibited; in addition, the depositing of waste material or refuse of any kind onto the quays or on the hard standing areas behind them is also prohibited.

Refuelling operations of combustibles and fuels are prohibited; products listed as category 'C' of MARPOL Annex II can be replenished only by road tanker with prior authorisation of Gioia Tauro Ciromare; manual decanting is prohibited.

It is prohibited to approach within 100m of vessels at anchor in the roads, or within 100m of vessels in the harbour which intend to carry out commercial operations.

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].

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

Available. Divers are available locally for underwater work.

Dry docks

There is one floating dock.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available through "Arico", West jetty. Luboil, fuel oil and gas oil are available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Giovanni XXIII (3.5km).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Reggio Calabria Airport (50km).

Working hours

Continuous working throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Gioia Tauro is situated in southern Italy, on the eastern shore of the Straits of Messina.

The port

The port of Gioia Tauro is Italy's largest container port and a key transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, strategically located on the Tyrrhenian Sea near major global shipping routes. It specializes in container handling, logistics, and warehousing, with advanced infrastructure and efficient services. The port plays a crucial role in Italy's economy, connecting Europe, Asia and Africa, while also supporting regional development and trade growth.

Traffic

Approx 26,500,000t of cargo, 5,000,000TEU and 1,400 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Gioia Tauro?

The pilot boards at Gioia Tauro – punto di imbarco pilota, 38°27.1′N 015°51.0′E.

What time zone is Gioia Tauro in?

Local time at Gioia Tauro 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 Gioia Tauro?

The deepest berth listed is at Container Terminal: 15.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gioia Tauro?

1025.

Which load line zone is Gioia Tauro in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Gioia Tauro?

Port State Control at Gioia Tauro: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gioia Tauro?

The UN/LOCODE of Gioia Tauro is ITGIT.

What crews who called at Gioia Tauro 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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