PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lazaro Cardenas
Pilot
updated Nov 2018- Lazaro Cardenas pilot boarding place Pilot boards17°53.4′N 102°09.0′W
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and for all Mexican vessels larger than 500GT. Pilots will board about 2.0nm S of the harbour entrance.
Key data
updated Nov 2025Size limits
LOA 397.56m, beam 53.6m, draught 15.3m, 207,999DWT.
Water density
1012-1024.
Load line zone
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
Tides
Range 0.4m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Terminal | — | 295 m | 1 |
| Bulk Mineral Terminal | 15.30 m | 300 m | 1 |
| Specialised Container Terminal I | 15.00 m | 398 m | 3 |
| Specialised Container Terminal II | 14.10 m | 368 m | 2 |
| Grain Terminal | 13.11 m | 200 m | 2 |
| PEMEX Fluids Terminal | 13.10 m | 229 m | 2 |
| Metal and Mineral Terminal | 12.30 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Fertiliser Terminal | 12.10 m | 205 m | 2 |
| Multipurpose Terminal I | 12.00 m | 232 m | 1 |
| Multipurpose Terminal III | 12.00 m | 272 m | 1 |
| Multipurpose Terminal II | 11.80 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Specialised Automotive Terminal | 9.80 m | 232 m | 2 |
| Ship Dismantling Terminal | — | — | 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 2021Approach
The berths are approached through a dredged channel which leads 1nm NW from Lazaro Cardenas Light. The access channel has a length of 1,700m, min width of 175m and a depth of 16.5m.
A sea buoy (safe water) is moored 2nm SSE of Larzaro Cardenas Light.
Red and Green Lights are exhibited on the SW and NE sides of the entrance to the channel and at the NW end of the channel where it enters the turning basin.
No 1 Lightbuoy (port hand) and No 2 Lightbuoy mark the channel limits.
The leading lights when in line, bearing 302.4°(122.4°), lead through the dredged channel to a turning basin.
The leading lights are as follows:
Front light: Canal Acceso [Fl(1).W.3s] 18m high. Rear light: Can Acceso [Iso(1).W.2s] 21m high. Both lights are visible from approx 12nm out to sea. Situated 1.5nm NW of the entrance.
Port limits
The port limits are marked by a lightbuoy (special).
Traffic schemes and VTS
Vessels approaching the port are required to establish contact with the Vessel Traffic Service using VHF and indicating their position and ETA and giving any other relevant information such as sickness on board, stowaways and special conditions.
Vessels wishing to manoeuvre within the port must obtain permission from the Harbour Master and VTS, prior to entering. Established speed limits should not be exceeded.
Mooring
Specialised Automotive Terminal: This is a new terminal has a specially designed fendering system for Vehicle Carriers.
A Turning Basin is located approx 3.5nm from the entrance, beyond the Pemex berths (1,250m in diameter, with a minimum depth of 14m).
Another Turning Basin has been created to the North of the harbour area, opposite the Specialised Container Terminal II Berths.
Charts and publications
BA 655, 1024, 1026. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).
US 21384, 21020. US Sailing Directions 153 (West Coasts of Mexico and Central America).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2014Communications
Manzanillo Radio operates throughout 24 hours, receiving on 8367kHz and transmitting on 8568.5kHz and 12829.8kHz.
Notice of readiness
The NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the sea buoy.
Health
Application for pratique should be made upon arrival at a berth.
International Health Offices, 20 De Noviembre S/N, CP 60950, Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Tel +52 753 72785, Fax: +52 753 22642.
Customs and immigration
Each crew member is allowed 2 bottles of wine and 1 packet of cigarettes. There are no restrictions for crew and passengers regarding immigration.
Customs Offices: Tel: +52 753 22443.
Immigration Offices: Fax: +52 753 20071.
Flags
The Port Authority requires the Mexican flag to be exhibited throughout daylight hours.
Notices and regulations
Contact agent on arrival.
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: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.
Position: Director General for Merchant Navy
Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.
Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.
Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2021Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
There are no drydock facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: There is a full bunkering service available at the Pemex Oil Terminal, there is also one barge, self propelled supplying DO.
Medical
General Hospital, ISSSTE Hospital, IMSS Hospital and the Red Cross.
Crew change
There are no restrictions regarding shore leave, special shore passes are available from agents.
Transport
Nearest airport: A small local airfield. Zihuatanejo International, 126km.
Airport facilities: There are 3 flights daily from Lazaro Cardenas direct to Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Nearest railway: There is a railway connecting the port to the Mexican Railway system. Rail tracks laid on to General Cargo berth, Container Berth, Mineral Pier and Grain Berth.
Road: A new road network has been built connecting Marelia and Uruapan with the port, Autopista del Siglo XXI which shortens journey times by more than three hours.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri, 0800-1300hrs and 1500-1800hrs. Sat 0800-1300hrs. Overtime Mon-Fri, 2000-0700hrs, Sat 1500-2359hrs and Sun 0001-2359hrs.
Port Authority: Mon-Fri, 0900-1500hrs and 1630-1830hrs. Sat and holidays, 0900-1300hrs.
About Lazaro Cardenas
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Lazaro Cardenas is situated midway between Acapulco and Manzanillo, approximately 150nm from each, at the Rio Balsas Delta.
The port
The port serves a steel mill and an industrial complex. A naval base is also located at the port. Lazaro Cardenas primarily handles containerised goods and imports pellets, pig iron, iron scrap, sulphur, phosphate rock, coke and grain.
Historically, the Mexican Navy have been controlling the port's administration and captaincy, with the Army in charge of port security. The area now comes under Lazaro Cardenas Port Administration.
Traffic
Approx. 27,300,000t of cargo, 2,500,000TEUs and 1,700 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Lazaro Cardenas
Where does the pilot board at Lazaro Cardenas?
The pilot boards at Lazaro Cardenas pilot boarding place, 17°53.4′N 102°09.0′W.
What time zone is Lazaro Cardenas in?
Local time at Lazaro Cardenas is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Lazaro Cardenas?
The deepest berth listed is at Bulk Mineral Terminal: 15.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Lazaro Cardenas?
1012-1024.
Which load line zone is Lazaro Cardenas in?
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
Who carries out Port State Control at Lazaro Cardenas?
Port State Control at Lazaro Cardenas: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lazaro Cardenas?
The UN/LOCODE of Lazaro Cardenas is MXLZC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lazaro Cardenas 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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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.