PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kalama
Pilot
updated Aug 2010Any pertinent information about the vessel and its arrival, 10nm W of the Approach Light Buoy CR.
For pilots boarding by helicopter, vessels should call Columbia River Bar Pilots on VHF Ch 16 or 09 before reaching 15nm from the Approach Lt by CR and again on reaching 15nm off, then remain on Ch 09 until pilot is onboard and helicopter has departed.
Bar pilots change with river pilots at Astoria by pilot vessel.
Key data
updated Jul 2026Size limits
Draught 12.4m, LOA 229.13m, beam 36.94m, 87,670DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Port Marine Terminal | 12.40 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Kalama Export Terminal (KEX) | 12.10 m | 229 m | 1 |
| TEMCO Terminal | 12.00 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Emerald Kalama Chemical (LANXESS) Terminal | 10.60 m | 183 m | 1 |
| RSG Forest Terminal | — | 183 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2020Approach
Channel width 182.8m, depth 12.1m. Turning basin, located approx 0.5nm upriver from North Port, width 426.7m, length 1,219m, depth 12.1m. Columbia River Bar has depth of 16.7m.
The river is well marked by leading lights, lights and lightbuoys as shown on the chart. See also separate entry for Columbia/Snake River System.
Restrictions
Bridges: Astoria Megler, width 326m, height 62.5m. Lewis & Clark at Longview, width 330.7m, height 56.4m. There are no other horizontal or vertical obstructions between the mouth of the Columbia River and the port of Kalama.
Tugs
Two available in approx 30mins from Rainier, one in approx 60mins from Vancouver.
Charts and publications
BA 2531, 2849. Admiralty Pilot NP8, 286(5).
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Aug 2020Bunkers, water and stores
Freshwater: Available.
Medical
Peace Health St Joh Medical Center, 14km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Southwest Washington Regional Airport located at Kelso,WA, 14.6km and Portland International Airport, located at Portland, WA, 60.9km.
About Kalama
updated Jul 2026Where it is
Kalama, Washington is situated approx 54nm from the sea on the Columbia River between River Mile 71 and 79.
The port
Port of Kalama is one of the jewels of the Pacific Northwest. The port includes sweeping riverfront industrial acreage, deep draught river channel for import and export, and the largest grain elevator on the west coast. There are 2 quays used for grain export and 1 for import and export of steel and other general break bulk cargo.
Traffic
Approx 15,000,000t of cargo and 600 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Kalama
What are the pilot arrangements at Kalama?
Any pertinent information about the vessel and its arrival, 10nm W of the Approach Light Buoy CR.
What time zone is Kalama in?
Local time at Kalama is UTC−8. Clocks go to UTC−7 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−8 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Kalama?
The deepest berth listed is at North Port Marine Terminal: 12.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Kalama in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Kalama?
Port State Control at Kalama: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kalama?
The UN/LOCODE of Kalama is USKAM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kalama 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.