Gulfport

1. Gulfport Pilot boards30°07.2′N 088°52.7′W

Size limits

LOA 227.8m, beam 36m, draught 10.97m, 66,721DWT.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.7m.

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

Approach

The port is approached along a 16nm shipping channel.

Ship Island Bar Channel (Gulf and Bar Channel): From a position close to Ship Island Lightbuoy (safe water) (30°07.0'N 088°52.7'W) the track leads NW for 5.8nm within a channel marked by pairs of light buoys.

Ship Island Pass (Sound Channel): Then the track leads generally N for a distance of 2.6nm to round West Point on Ship Island, with the W edge of shoal water marked by No 12 Lightbuoy (starboard hand), passing about 1.3nm W of Ship Island Light, then in a NNE direction to re-enter the dredged channel. Gulfport Channel Directional Light leads through the continuation of the channel N of West Point on a bearing of 006°.

Gulfport Channel: The alignment 144° astern of Ship Island Leading Lights lead through the centre of the channel directly into Gulfport harbour between Gulfport channel front leading light and a submerged breakwater on the W side of the channel.

Front Ship Island Light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on pile) (30°13.8'N 088°58.9'W).

Rear light (red vertical mark, on white stripe, framework tower on concrete base) (1.4nm SE of the front light).

Front Gulfport Light (red vertical mark, white stripe on framework tower on piles) (30°21.2'N 089°05.1'W).

Rear Light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower on concrete base) (0.8nm NW of the front light).

Anchorages

Anchorage available (30°13.5'N 088°58.0'W) close N of Ship Island, depth 6.0m, soft bottom, good holding, limited swinging room.

Anchorage, in depths of 8.0 to 12.0m, is available S of Ship Island Bar Channel within 2nm radius of Ship Island Lightbuoy (30°07.1'N 088°55.8'W).

Restrictions

Vessels near max draught of 10.6m are handled during daylight hours only or at the pilot's discretion.

Berthing is on approval of berth application by operations department.

Max speed limit for ocean going vessels should not exceed 10kts through the channel between Ship Island Bar and the entrance of the Gulfport Harbour.

Tugs

Three tugs are available from Gulfport Towing Company. Tugs used only for berthing.

Charts and publications

BA 3151, 3858; NOAA 11373. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Tugs: Ch 16, 10. Tel: +1 228 865 7656. Fax: +1 601 863 6952.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Public Health Service regulations apply. Officials usually inspect vessels at their berths.

Quarantine: Public Health Service regulations apply. Officials usually inspect vessels at their berths.

Customs and immigration

Available for entry and clearance.

Flags

US flag, "Hotel" (pilot) and "Quebec" (quarantine) flag required. "Bravo" flag required if bunkering.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

Above and below waterline repair facilities are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades of fuel and lubricants available by barge or road vehicle from 2 local companies, one being Coastal Fuels Marketing.

Stores: Available.

Medical

There are 2 hospitals available in Gulfport.

Transport

Nearest airport: Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, 6km.

Airport facilities: Direct service to nearby airports permits access to all airports via connections.

Nearest railway: The port is served by the Kansas City Southern and the CSX Railroad.

Nearest highway: Interstate 10, approx 11km N.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Gulfport is located on the northern shore of the Mississippi Sound, in the State of Mississippi, approx 130km from New Orleans.

The port

The port handles mainly containers and bulk cargo. Commodities include fresh produce, frozen poultry, apparel, automobiles and ore.

Traffic

Approx 1,900,000t of cargo, 197,000TEU and 200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Gulfport?

The pilot boards at Gulfport, 30°07.2′N 088°52.7′W.

What time zone is Gulfport in?

Local time at Gulfport is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Gulfport?

The deepest berth listed is at East Pier Terminal: 10.97 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gulfport?

1020.

Which load line zone is Gulfport in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Gulfport?

Port State Control at Gulfport: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gulfport?

The UN/LOCODE of Gulfport is USGPT.

What crews who called at Gulfport 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 Gulfport →