PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Huelva
Pilot
updated Dec 2016- Huelva área de embarque de prácticos (referencia: boya cardinal W) Pilot boards37°05.5′N 006°49.1′W
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and available throughout 24 hours on VHF Ch 14. The pilot station is situated at Mazagon (at the channel entrance). In good weather the pilot boards approx 1nm SSE of the entrance lightbuoys, in bad weather, near Punta La Cascajera.
Harbour pilots are based close to Muelle de Rio Tinto (37°15'N 057°05'W) in the inner harbour.
Key data
updated Jul 2026Size limits
Harbour: LOA 299.9m, 50cm, draught 12.7m, 100,524DWT.
Offshore: LOA 279.31m, draught 16m,167,294DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 3.0m (springs), 1.5m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cepsa Reina Sofia Terminal | 16.00 m | 279 m | 5 |
| Saltes Terminal - Private Wharf | 12.70 m | 235 m | 5 |
| Petroleros Torre Arenillas Terminal | 11.90 m | 229 m | 2 |
| Multipurpose South Terminal | 11.80 m | 294 m | 1 |
| Decal Espana Terminal | 11.70 m | 195 m | 3 |
| Enagas LNG Terminal | 11.09 m | 300 m | 1 |
| Atlantic Copper South Terminal | 8.50 m | 170 m | 2 |
| Fertiberia | 7.90 m | 127 m | 2 |
| Fertinagro | 7.70 m | 128 m | 1 |
| Atlantic Copper North Terminal | 5.90 m | 116 m | 1 |
| City Port | 4.70 m | 126 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2019Approach
The port is approached over the bar of Canal del Padre Santo and entered through the buoyed channel of Ria de Huelva.
Entrance channel: Length 15,000m, width 200-300m, depth 11.3-12.8m, (1 hour before HW, subject to tide), bottom sand and sludge.
Entrance mouth: Width 400m, depth at LW 11.3m, max current registered 5kts.
Restrictions
Vessels exceeding LOA 250m should request prior authorisation from Huelva Port Authority. At Enagas Jetty the max LOA is 293m.
Restricted area: A submarine pipeline, marked at intervals by lightbuoys (special), extends 5.5nm to seaward from a refinery on the N bank of Ria de Huelva terminating in the SBM (37°05.0'N 006°55.0'W) from which a light is exhibited. Passage, anchoring and trawling are prohibited within 500m of the SBM and its attachments, anchoring and trawling are also prohibited for a distance of 500m on either side of the pipeline to the shore.
A second submarine pipeline extends 13nm WSW from the coast at Mazagon (37°07.0'N 006°45.0'W) to a junction marked by a lightbuoy (special) (37°00.9'N 007°00.6'W). Anchoring is prohibited within 250m either side of the pipeline.
Tugs
The port has 13 tug available from 8,150-380hp.
Charts and publications
BA 73, 93. US Publication 143. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be sent 72, 48 and 24 hours in advance and confirmed 1 hour prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Huelva Traffic: Tel: +34 959 248611.
Bar Pilot: Ch 14. Tel: +34 959 536211. Email: [email protected].
Harbour Pilots: Ch 14. Tel: +34 959 284569. Fax: +34 959 247392. Email: [email protected].
Shore Emergency: Ch 13.
Coordination and Rescue: Ch 16, 10.
Notices and regulations
Special regulations: Vessels should always be ready to move under their own power. Towing wires are to be positioned for use in an emergency.
Inspections
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: Puertos del Estado (Ministerio de Fomento)
Title: Coordinador de Proteccion Portuaria
Address: Av de la Marina, 3, 15001, A Coruna, Spain
Tel: +34 98 121 9618
Fax: +34 98 121 9607
Mob: +34 630 957875
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Sep 2021Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at East Wharf, oil tanker wharves, dry bulk terminal, Juan Gonzalo Quay and Ciudad de Palos Wharf. Also available by barge.
Bunkering: Available in East Wharf, Petroleros Torre Arenillas Terminal and Reina Sofia Oil Terminal, also at commercial wharves by road tanker. IFO and MDO available by barge.
LNG Bunker: Available, by barge or road tanker.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Juan Ramon Jimenez General Hospital (+34 959 016001).and Infanta Elena Commercial Hospital.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Sevilla 100km, and Faro, Portugal, 100km.
Nearest railway: Huelva rail station.
Working hours
Normally 0830-2030hrs. Overtime possible.
About Huelva
updated Jul 2026Where it is
Huelva is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
The port
The port, located on a river estuary, is ideally placed for the transportation of raw materials and goods to and from the industrial hinterland, and for the carriage of crops. LNG, liquid, dry bulk, general cargoes, containers and passengers handled.
Traffic
Approx 30,000,000t of cargo, 152,000TEU, 2,000 vessels and 51,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Huelva
Where does the pilot board at Huelva?
The pilot boards at Huelva área de embarque de prácticos (referencia: boya cardinal W), 37°05.5′N 006°49.1′W.
What time zone is Huelva in?
Local time at Huelva 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 Huelva?
The deepest berth listed is at Cepsa Reina Sofia Terminal: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Huelva?
1025.
Which load line zone is Huelva in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Huelva?
Port State Control at Huelva: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Huelva?
The UN/LOCODE of Huelva is ESHUV.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Huelva 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.
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.