Iquique

1. Iquique pilot boarding area Pilot boards20°11.5′S 070°09.4′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 347m, draught 11.4m,beam 51.0m, 142,411DWT.

Offshore: LOA 195.22m, draught 11.34m, 53,714DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean spring range 0.9m; mean neap range 0.5m.

The normal direction of flow is from South to North, and runs at a speed that fluctuates between 0.5kt and 3.0kts, following the contours of the coast.

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 through a Traffic Separation Scheme, and entered between the W extremity of Peninsula Serrano (20°12.5'S 070°09.5'W), and Punta Piedra 3.0nm N.

From the E end of the inward traffic lane, 20°11.6'S 070°10.0'W, the route leads ENE to the pilot boarding place.

It should be noted that the 12.7m patch situated 0.6nm WNW of Molo de Abrigo Light, lies on the centre of the inward traffic lane.

Port limits

N from shore (20°12.30'S 70°09.60'W) to 20°11.40'S 70°09.60'W, E to shore (20°11.40'S 70°08.30'W).

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels approaching the Iquique, entering or leaving the Bay, and /or anchoring within port limits, are required to use the VTS while maintaining a continuing Listening Watch on VHF Ch 16. All transiting vessels within the Bay must also participate in the VTS. All vessels must ensure that their AIS equipment is operational.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained NW of Peninsula Serrano. These consist of a general area plus designated quarantine and explosives anchorage.

Anchorage for fishing vessels is established to the S and E of Roca Patilliguaje.

Prohibited Anchorage: An area at the E end of the NW-bound traffic lane of the TSS and an area seaward of and surrounding Muelle Naval. Esmeralda Light Buoy (20°11.00'S 70°09.00'W), marking a wreck, lies in the E part of the area.

Restrictions

With prior authority from the maritime governor, explosives are unloaded at the berths and removed immediately under special security conditions.

Berthing at the tanker terminal is carried out in daylight hours only.

Extreme vigilance is advised in the approach to Iquique, due to the constant fishing vessel traffic.

Tugs

Two tugs are required for mooring and unmooring except for vessels less than LOA 100m when one tug is sufficient.

Mooring

Two offshore CBM oil terminals are situated off Playa del Colorado beach (20°12.00'S 70°08.00'W). Owing to the close proximity of these berths, only one vessel can be handled at a time:

Copec Terminal, LOA 229m, maximum draught 11.34m.

Esso Terminal, with mooring buoys, LOA 228m, maximum draught 10.65m.

Submarine pipelines extend ESE to the shore.

Berthing procedures by tankers must be carried out in daylight hours only. Vessels are permitted to leave at any time.

Charts and publications

BA 4218, 3076. Chilean 104, IQQ 1211. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Minor repairs available. Rail slipway of 140m in length has 5% slope and can lift small vessels up to 400t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Water is in short supply and is only available for vessels from Apr to Dec. Delivery is by road tanker.

Stores: Supplies are in quite short supply; some engine room and voyage stores are available.

Medical

Iquique Hospital.

Crew change

No restrictions on crews and passengers joining or leaving the ship if previous authorisation from the Chilean Dept of Foreign Affairs has been granted.

Transport

Nearest airport: International, General Diego Aracena, 43km. Regional, Chucumata, 20km S.

Working hours

Three shifts from 0800-0630hrs, 1st Shift: 0800-1530hrs (overtime until 1730hrs). 2nd Shift: 1530-2300hrs (overtime until 0100hrs) 3rd Shift: 2300-0630hrs (overtime until 0800hrs).

Where it is

The port of Iquique lies at the S end of the bay, between Peninsula Serrano and Punta Negra (1.5nm NE).

The port

The artificial port of Iquique is comprised of a connecting breakwater, 480m in length, that links Serrano Island with the mainland. A main breakwater, 846m in length, lies N-S in a 028° direction.

The port comprises numerous berths and 2 offshore oil terminals. Berth No. 01 is administered by Empresa Portuaria Iquique under multi-operator modality and Berth Nos. 3 and 4 are leased under a mono operator modality at Iquique's International Terminal.

Iquique mainly handles containers; principle imports being machinery, iron, oil, explosives, paper, sacks and general cargo. Other cargoes handled include copper concentrates, slag or ores, vegetable and soya oils and petroleum products. It is also a fishing port, with local factories producing fish meal, frozen and canned fish.

Traffic

Approx 2,450,000t of cargo, 280,000TEU and 450 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Iquique?

The pilot boards at Iquique pilot boarding area, 20°11.5′S 070°09.4′W.

What time zone is Iquique in?

Local time at Iquique is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Iquique?

The deepest berth listed is at Iquique Terminal Internacional (ITI): 11.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Iquique?

1025.

Which load line zone is Iquique in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Iquique?

Port State Control at Iquique: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Iquique?

The UN/LOCODE of Iquique is CLIQQ.

What crews who called at Iquique 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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