Havana

1. Habana (Havana) pilot boarding place Pilot boards23°11.1′N 082°23.7′W

Size limits

LOA 264.26m, beam 44m, draught 10m, 112,521DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean maximum range 0.4m, mean minimum range 0.2m.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached from the N and entered through a narrow channel 1530m in length, width of 330-220m, and a depth of 12.8m.

Leading Light Beacons; From a position NW of Castillo del Morro Light, the alignment 124.75° of light beacons:

Front Light (yellow daymark, black border on white framework tower), 23°08.0'N 082°19.8'W.

Rear Light (as for Front Light); leads through the harbour entrance into the central part of the bay, passing between Castillo del Morro Light, standing on Punta Barlovento and Punta Sotavento, 0.2nm SSW.

Vessels are to contact the signal station before entry.

Speed: Vessels are to proceed at as slow a speed as is consistent with safe manoeuvring when entering the harbour and proceeding to a berth. In no case is the max speed of 6kts to be exceeded.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a VTMS in operation.

Anchorages

Main Anchorage No 1 (La Tasajera): Max length 230m, draught 10.0m, with capacity for handling 5 vessels. It is forbidden to drop or drag the anchor at a distance less than 120m off the head of Sierra Maestra No 3 Pier.

Anchorage No 2 (Casablanca): Max length 165m, draught 6.7m, with capacity for handling 4 vessels.

Anchoring or trailing an anchor is prohibited in the entrance channel, which is crossed by a vehicle tunnel and cables. These operations are also prohibited in the vicinity of the dry and floating docks and as directed by the pilot.

Restrictions

Signal station: Vessels are to contact the signal station before entry.

Movements: Particular care should be taken to give Terminal Sierra Maesta as wide a berth as possible as vessels at this terminal have been damaged by the wash caused by the entry of a vessel, particularly if that vessel is of unusual size or being navigated at excessive speed.

The best time to move a vessel is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the wind is usually light.

Tugs

Tugs are available and compulsory for all tankers and all other vessels LOA 90m.

Charts and publications

BA 414, 417, 418. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent on departure from last port. If time permits, further ETA's should be sent 10, 7, 5, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival. The messages must include date and time of arrival and expected draughts on arrival.

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered when a vessel is alongside and ready to work cargo or on arrival at the outer roads of the port if no berth is available.

Health

Free pratique should be requested by radio. Health Certificates can be renewed by phytosanitary organisations. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates renewed.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio del Interior, Direccion de Proteccion.

Contact person: Manager.

Address: Santa Catalina 501, 10 de Octubre, Ciudad de la Habana, 10500, Cuba.

Tel: +53 7 577376 or +53 7 577377.

E-mail: [email protected]

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

US Coast Guard announced that it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in Cuba, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.

Repairs

Major repairs can be carried out.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Not available.

Bunkering: Not available.

Stores: Available

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras (2.3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Jose Marti International Havana (16km).

Nearest railway: Most berths have rail connections to the main Cuban train network.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1100hrs and 1300-1700hrs, Sat 0700-1100hrs. Work is possible in certain cases on holidays and Sundays.

Where it is

Havana is the capital and principal port of Cuba. It is situated on the N coast of Cuba, and is a natural sheltered harbour.

The port

The port is in a bay which is in three parts, in the NE Ensenada de Marimelena, to the SE Ensenada de Guasabacoa and in the SW Ensenada de Atares. The port has berthing facilities for all types of vessels with sugar being the principal export; molasses, citrus fruits, liqueurs and minerals are exported. Imports tend to be general cargo, machinery, fertilisers and fuel oil. Containers are also handled. There are 19 mooring buoys positioned throughout the harbour, four of them for Naval vessels.

Where does the pilot board at Havana?

The pilot boards at Habana (Havana) pilot boarding place, 23°11.1′N 082°23.7′W.

What time zone is Havana in?

Local time at Havana is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Havana?

The deepest berth listed is at Regla Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Havana?

1025.

Which load line zone is Havana in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Havana?

The UN/LOCODE of Havana is CUHAV.

What crews who called at Havana 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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