Iquitos

Size limits

Ocean going vessels can reach Iquitos all year round, draughts ranging from 7.9m max (Nov-Jun) to 5.4m during the dry season (July/Oct).

The max length of vessel permitted is 152m, due to the numerous bends in the river.

LOA 139m, draught 7.9m, Beam 22m, 2268 DWT

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 2.4m. Current in the Peruvian section of the Amazon River reaches 6kts during the rainy season and only 2kts in the dry.

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

Charts and publications

BA 4608, NP7,NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The initial ETA should be sent 7 days prior to arrival to the shippers and consignees. The message must include last port of call and any dangerous cargo destined for the port and/or in transit.

Additional ETA should be sent 3 days prior to arrival to the Harbour Master and Port Authorities. This message should also advise of dangerous goods onboard.

All ETA messages to include date and hour of arrival, draught, number of crew and if there are passengers onboard.

Communications

Communications: Paita, Callao and Mollendo coast radio stations are recommended for use at long range. All 3 work throughout 24 hours.

Paita: Callsign "OBY2", transmits on 8527kHz and 2182-2738kHz. Receives on 8362.2-8366.4kHz and 2182kHz.

Callao: Callsign "OBC3", transmits on 460-50kHz, 8546kHz, 13015.5kHz, 2182-2738kHz. Receives on 500kHz, 8363.2kHz, 8366.4kHz, 12544.8kHz.

Mollendo: Callsign "OBF4", transmits on 8490kHz, 2182kHz. Receives on 8363.2kHz, 8366.4kHz, 2182kHz.

Communication is possible through Inmarsat.

Standard messages

When entering Peruvian waters a message must be sent under prefix "SHIPREP/EPW". The message must contain: Name of vessel, callsign, nationality, date/hour of entry into Peruvian waters, last port of call, true course and speed on entry, port of destination and ETA.

Every day at 0800hrs and 2000hrs a vessel, in Peruvian waters, must advise: Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour, position, course, speed, port of destination, ETA.

One hour before arrival at a Peruvian port a vessel must advise, under prefix "SHIPREP/FR: Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour of arrival, port of destination, ETA.

When departing Peruvian waters vessels must advise, under prefix "SHIPREP/DPW": Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour, position and port of destination.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered on arrival at the port in accordance with the Charter Party.

Documents

The above documents are for the Sanitary (Health) department, Immigration department, Harbour Master and agency. Any special forms for completion will be delivered onboard by the agent.

Health

Pratique should be applied for 48 hours prior to vessel's arrival. It can only be granted by radio with the Harbour Master's consent in the event of heavy weather or in an emergency.

Vessels must be in possession of a valid Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and all crew must be healthy.

Customs and immigration

Customs: If the possessions of a crew member and the Personal Effects List do not tally, the undeclared goods can be confiscated by the Customs Officer.

Immigration: If a passport or Seaman's Book is out of date the Master should arrange for the ship's agent to revalidate it.

Flags

Standard Interco flags to be displayed. Penalty for not displaying "B" flag, when required to do so, is a fine.

Notices and regulations

For non compliance with any of the above the Port Authorities and Harbour Master may impose heavy fines on the vessel.

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.

Inspection of ships in Peru

General Direction of Captaincies and Coast Guard - Peruvian Navy

Jiron Constitucion No 150, Callao 01, Peru.

Tel: +51 1 465 9866.

Fax: +51 1 465 1068.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Autoridad Portuaria Nacional (APN).

Position: Security, Safety and Environmental Protection Manager.

Address: Av Contralmirante Raygada 111, Callao, Peru.

Tel: +51 1 453 8112

Fax: +51 1 429 9210

Mob: +51 1 98338332

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

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

SIMA Shipyard Iquitos (approx. shipyard location - 03° 41.485'S 73° 15.476'W).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available from barges.

Medical

Local Hospital at Iquitos.

Transport

Nearest airport: Iquitos, 4km. Flights to Lima and Belem (Brazil).

Working hours

Normally 0700-1200hrs/1500-2200hrs.

Where it is

Iquitos is located approx 3,100km up the Amazon River.

The port

The Port of Iquitos is a small river port comprised of passenger, break bulk and tanker facilities. It is subject to the rise and fall of the rivers, even though at Iquitos itself depths of 18.3m are constant in certain places

From Iquitos to Manaus, 1,920km downstream, the course is ever shifting and treacherous, banks forming and passes silting up continuously. There are twelve shallow passes on route with no navigation marks, pilots will anchor the vessels overnight if they are near these passes. From Manaus to Belem the river is more stable, with a constant min depth of 9.1m and some navigation marks.

The river passage from Belem to Iquitos takes 10/12 days, the return journey only takes 6/8 days.

Traffic

Approx. 95000t of cargo, 2300 vessels and 50,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Iquitos?

There are no official pilots here, shipping companies employ pilots on a permanent basis for their own vessels.

What time zone is Iquitos in?

Local time at Iquitos is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the water density at Iquitos?

1000.

Which load line zone is Iquitos in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Iquitos?

Port State Control at Iquitos: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Iquitos?

The UN/LOCODE of Iquitos is PEIQT.

What crews who called at Iquitos 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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