La Nouvelle

1. Port-La-Nouvelle – imbarco pilota, navi LOA <145 m: sull'allineamento delle luci delle nuove testate a 1 M dalla luce verde Pilot boards43°00.5′N 003°06.2′E
2. Port-La-Nouvelle – imbarco pilota, navi LOA >145 m: a 2,4 M sull'allineamento, limite E della via di accesso (segnale di acque sicure) Pilot boards43°00.0′N 003°08.1′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 145m (gas carriers LOA 120m), beam 22m, draught 8.0m, 11,443DWT.

CBM: LOA 190m, beam 31.3m, draught 11.6m, 44,485DWT.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

Tides

Range of tide is about 0.3m but sea level can reach 1.0m during periods of floods.

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

Approach

Approaches: Vessels coming from NE and E should first take direction towards Ilot de Brescou, near Cap d'Adge and then follow the coast. Vessels coming from SE should take direction towards Cap Leucate located at 6nm S. Port-la-Nouvelle is approached from the ESE. Vessels greater than 1,600GT carrying hydrocarbons or other dangerous cargo must use the designated approach channel established for approaching La Nouvelle and the offshore oil berth. The channel is entered 6nm ESE of the harbour entrance. Ships should keep to the starboard side of the channel.

Directions for entering harbour: From a position 8nm ENE Cap Leucate (42°55.0'N 003°04.0'E) the approach channel leads WNW towards the entrance. The inward approach lane lies to the NE of the alignment 292.5° of Port-la-Nouvelle Leading Lights. The track passes NNE of a dangerous wreck 1.25nm SE of the harbour entrance then SSW of the E cardinal light buoy marking the tanker mooring. From this position alter course to pass between the breakwaters.

Mariners should note that the navigable part of the entrance channel is only 60m wide at the surface, reducing to 40m wide at the seabed. Shoals of mud and sand extend from the banks of the channel.

Anchorages

There are two anchorage areas on the roads, the northern anchorage is compulsory for vessels carrying dangerous goods. Access is subject to authorisation of the French Maritime Authority (contact through Leucate signal station on VHF Ch12 & 16). Anchorage is located approx 30 - 40nm from main quay.

Due to an underwater pipeline in the port, anchors cannot be used without pilot's advice and any case must be reported to Harbour Master's Office.

Tugs

Two tugs available. 1 x 20t tug, 1 x 12t tug and 1 x pushing boat available. Tugs are compulsory for certain vessels (detailed in port's rules). Any tug requirement may be requested by Harbour Master for safety reasons.

Mooring

Mooring remains under the responsibility of ship's master. The number of mooring lines must be increased if necessary. During the call, there is an effective watch on board in order to check and adjust the mooring and gangway.

Charts and publications

BA 2114, 1705. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).

Communications

La Nouvelle Port Control and La Nouvelle Pilot monitor VHF Ch12. Vessels must keep watch on VHF Ch12 2hrs before arrival. In the fairway and waiting anchorage, vessels must keep watch on VHF Ch12 & 16 with Leucate signal station.

Harbour master contacts:

VHF: Ch 12

Tel: +33 (0)6 37 27 53 57, +33 (0)4 68 48 17 64

Email: [email protected]

Port Authority:

Tel: +33 (0) 4 68 48 00 37

Email: Operationsportuaires.pln@crlanguedocroussillonfr

Pilot office:

Tel: +33 (0)468 404 350

Email: [email protected]

Standard messages

Confirmation of arrival. Eventual gas free confirmation in case of OBO.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Documents

These information must be transmitted by the agent via CAPSUD software.

Health

Request for pratique to be made to the Harbour Control prior to arrival.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates, possible with prior notice to agent.

Customs and immigration

Usual regulation for cigarettes and spirits.

Seaman's Book and/or passport must be available onboard for presentation to the Immigration department.

Flags

Flags to be displayed: During bunkering "B" flag and on arrival "Q" flag.

Notices and regulations

Night time movements for berthing and unberthing of vessels restricted to vessels of max LOA 120m and draught 7.0m.

Sailing vessels and small craft under 20m in length are to remain clear of the regulated area, which encloses the harbour entrance and the tanker mooring, 1nm ENE of the entrance, unless entering Port-la-Nouvelle. These vessels must also give way to warship and power driven vessels 50m or greater in length.

Traffic signals: International traffic signals are used to control entry and departure and are exhibited from the harbour office 0.1nm E of the root of the S breakwater. Mariners should note that movements within the harbour are controlled by the harbour master using VHF.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Any repairs alongside cannot be carried out without the permission of the harbour master's office. Fire fighting and mooring equipment must be in good working condition.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on berth, on demand to the harbour operator.

Bunkering: Available by lorry.

Stores: Available by lorry.

Medical

The nearest hospital is Narbonne, 12nm N.

Crew change

Crew change is possible.

Transport

The nearest airports are Perpignan-Rivesaltes, 45km, Montpellier, 120km. There are road, rail and canal links with neighbouring towns and cities.

Where it is

La Nouvelle is located on the French Mediterranean coast on the W side of the Gulf of Lyons.

The port

La Nouvelle is a small commercial and fishing port with recreational craft facilities, formed by a canal which connects Etang de Sigean with the sea. The port handles general cargo, grain, cereals, varies agricultural products, dry bulk, LPG and petroleum products.

The port is entered through a dredged channel, between two breakwaters into a series of three basins; Darse Petroliere, Darse de Commerce and Darse de Peche, which occupy the N shore of a canal leading into Etang de Sigean.

With the coming of the windfarm industry, the port is due to be expanded to accommodate new projects in the area, including the construction and assembly of a pilot, floating offshore wind farm. Work includes lengthening a seawall and constructing a North seawall 2,430m long, demolishing the existing one. Harbour draught will be deepened from the current 8m to 14.5m.

Traffic

Approx 300 vessels and 1,800,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at La Nouvelle?

The pilot boards at Port-La-Nouvelle – imbarco pilota, navi LOA <145 m: sull'allineamento delle luci delle nuove testate a 1 M dalla luce verde, 43°00.5′N 003°06.2′E. La Nouvelle has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is La Nouvelle in?

Local time at La Nouvelle 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 La Nouvelle?

The deepest berth listed is at Entrepots Petroliers de Port-La Nouvelle (EPPLN): 11.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is La Nouvelle in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at La Nouvelle?

Port State Control at La Nouvelle: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of La Nouvelle?

The UN/LOCODE of La Nouvelle is FRNOU.

What crews who called at La Nouvelle 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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