PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Iloilo
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for all vessels of 75GT and above. ETA and deepest draught should be sent to the Pilot Office 24 hours before, and any amendments 4 hours before arrival at Sinapsapan Pilot Station or Navalas Pilot Station through Iloilo Radio. Pilot boards 2.2m E of Navalas Point at the N entrance and off Sinapsapan Point at the S entrance. Pilots board during day time only.
Key data
updated Mar 2025Size limits
LOA 293.18m, beam 40m, draught 12.7m, 72,370DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Tides
Range 2.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panay Energy Development Corporatio (PEDC) | 12.70 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Iloilo Commercial Port - Visayas Container Terminal (VCT) | 9.80 m | 293 m | 4 |
| Wheat Grain Terminal | 9.20 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Petron Depot Terminal | 6.80 m | 110 m | 1 |
| Santos Gas Terminal | 6.60 m | 111 m | 1 |
| Estancia Terminal | 6.10 m | 74 m | 1 |
| Culasi Terminal | 6.00 m | 97 m | 1 |
| Dumaguit Terminal | 6.00 m | 90 m | 1 |
| Holcim Iloilo Terminal | — | 76 m | 1 |
| New fastcraft Ferry Terminal | — | 50 m | 4 |
| Ro-Ro Ferry Terminal | — | 50 m | 1 |
| San Jose Terminal | — | 50 m | 2 |
| Old Foreign Terminal | — | 195 m | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2025Approach
Navigational approach: The Iloilo Strait connects with Panay Gulf and Guimaras Strait which leads to the Visayan Sea. It has a width of approx 1.45km at its narrowest point and an average depth of 22.0m below MLLW. Its shorelines are very irregular it has two navigation entrances. Their approaches are narrowed by the Iguana Bank on the W and the Siete Pecados Island on the E of the N entrance and by Oton bank on the S entrance. Water depths over these banks average 3.7m MLLW.
Entrance channels: Oton bank, an extensive shoal of soft muddy sand, lies in the middle of SW entrance to strait, extending approx 13km in length from a point approx 80m SW of the mouth of the Iloilo River. Vessels do not ordinarily attempt to cross it, but instead use the main channel between the bank and Guimaras Island.
The N entrance is divided into 2 channels by the Iguana Bank and deep water for navigation is adequate on either side. Westward of the bank is a cluster of small rocky islets, called Siete Pecados where the lighthouse is located.
Port limits
Iloilo harbour is a part of the Iloilo Strait bounded by imaginary lines at the N entrance from Dumangas River across the Iloilo Strait to Navalas Point on Guimaras Island and at the S entrance by an imaginary line extending from the Lusaran Point, Guimaras Island to Surraga River in the municipality of San Joaquim Island of Panay. The shoreline of the two islands define the limits of Iloilo Harbour.
Anchorages
The best anchorage for vessels that cannot enter the Iloilo River is NE of the river mouth, in a depth of 27.0m, sand, provided navigation is not hindered. There are no specified customs or quarantine anchorages. An anchorage area is established on the SE side of the strait between Bondulan Point and Dapdap Point, 4.5nm NE.
Restrictions
Entrance to river impossible until dredging is carried out. The restriction is only applicable to domestic secondary vessels.
Tugs
Tug assistance compulsory for vessels of 75GT and above. Service provided by Retransco who require 36 hours prior notice.
Charts and publications
BA 2391, 4479, 4480, 4481, 4484, 4485. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010Communications
VHF: Port Ch 16; 13. Pilots Ch 16.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo 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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC
Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.
Fax: +63 2 725 4787
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
All type of small vessel repairs can be carried out.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available from Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Caltex Phils Inc and Petrophil Corporation. Advance notice of at least 24 hours required.
Stores: Available.
Medical
There are 3 government and 3 private hospitals approx 3km to 4km from the port area of Iloilo.
Transport
Nearest airport: Iloilo City airport, 8km.
Airport facilities: Servicing 737 type of aeroplane, flight links to Manila and major cities in the country.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs; also throughout 24 hours, where necessary.
About Iloilo
updated Mar 2025Where it is
Iloilo is located on the SE coast of Panay Island, opposite Guimaras Island.
The port
The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, containers, Ro-Ro, passengers, liquid cargo and LPG.
Traffic
Approx 3,800,000t of cargo, 150,000TEU, 15,000 vessels and 1,000,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Iloilo
What are the pilot arrangements at Iloilo?
Compulsory for all vessels of 75GT and above.
What time zone is Iloilo in?
Local time at Iloilo is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Iloilo?
The deepest berth listed is at Panay Energy Development Corporatio (PEDC): 12.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Iloilo?
1025.
Which load line zone is Iloilo in?
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Who carries out Port State Control at Iloilo?
Port State Control at Iloilo: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Iloilo?
The UN/LOCODE of Iloilo is PHILO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Iloilo 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.