Leixoes

Size limits

LOA 319m, beam 44m, draught 14.9m, 109,999DWT.

Water density

1026.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.8m; mean neap range 1.2m.

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

Approach

The approach is made from the S, in the vicinity of the pilot boarding place (41°06.9'N 008°42.1'W), and entry made between breakwaters 1nm N.

Directions for entering harbour: When approaching the port from the N or S it is prudent to maintain a distance of at least 2nm from the shore. In the approach to the pilot boarding position vessels should remain W of the alignment (348°) of Lega Light (41°12.0'N 008°43.0'W) with the head of South Mole (1.5nm SSE). Approaching from W the line of bearing 090° of Felgueiras Lighthouse (41°09.0'W 008°41.0'W) leads to a position on the entry leading line 0.7nm of The pilot boarding position and generally S of vessels anchored off the port.

Inner approach and entry: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position (41°09.0'N 008°42.1'W) the line of bearing 350.5°of Leca Light leads NNW through Outer Channel into the Outer Port passing WSW of 2 dangerous wrecks then ENE of Quebra-mar Lighthouse. A submerged breakwater, approx 200m in length, and a dangerous wreck, lie 100m SW and 100m S respectively, of the Lighthouse.

Then proceed WSW of an 8.3m patch and between the heads of North and South Mole, 220m apart. A light (red hut, 4m in height) is exhibited from the head of North Mole, and a light (hexagonal tower, 10m in height) is exhibited from the head on South Mole. The width of the entrance channel, between the breakwaters, is 220m. This widens in the outer port to 500m and is reduced near Dock No1 to 113m. Then from midway between the moles the Inner Channel leads 0.4nm NE to the entrance of the Inner Port.

Min depth in approaches to Petroleum Berth "A" is 15.0m ZHL. From the Outer Port the channel up to Dock 4 South Terminal has a minimum depth of 12.0m ZHL.

Caution: It is reported that during strong NW winds a W set may be experienced across the entrance.

Shoal water in the SW side of the outer port between North Mole and Pier B of the oil terminal marked by two lightbuoys (special).

Leixoes Ocean Terminal (41°12.1'N 008°45.1'W) consists of an SBM in 30m of water, with 2 x 300m floating hoses attached. A submarine pipeline extends 15nm ENE from the buoy to the shore 0.5nm NNW of Leca Lighthouse. The buoy and hose are marked by lights. Entry is prohibited into an area of radius 1,000m centred on the buoy and anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity.

A lightbuoy (special), marking the seaward end of an outfall, is moored 04nm NE of the SBM.

Port limits

The limits of the port of Leixoes are within a radius of 2nm centred on the breakwater light.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Vessel Traffic Service with full radar surveillance is maintained for the control of shipping. The radar station (VHF Ch12) controls all navigational radar information within a radius of 30nm, for mooring and port movement.

All vessels should report arrival at port limits to Leixoes VTS on Ch 12, 16.

Vessels should obtain permission from the Harbour Master's Office or Maritime Police before any vessel movements are undertaken (e.g. shifting berth, discharging ballast water etc.).

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Except as indicated below, vessels awaiting a pilot or berthing instructions may anchor off the port in depths of more than 20.0m, mud and sand; however with strong W'ly winds anchorage is impracticable.

Vessels less than LOA 85m and less than 5.0m draught may anchor N of the line joining Quebra-mar Light (41°10.4'N 008°42.4'W) with Castelo do Queijo (0.85nm ESE) but a minimum distance of 0.3nm from Quebra-mar Light.

Inner anchorage: Vessels awaiting berthing instructions may anchor in the outer port, to the N and S of the entrance channel, as advised by the pilots but must keep a minimum distance of 50m from the tanker piers on the W side and also from the front of the intake jetties at the fish harbour on the E Side. This anchorage is restricted to vessels not exceeding 100m in length and no more than 3 vessels can be accommodated to the N and S of the entrance channel; the length of stay must not exceed 24 hours. In case of emergency, with poor SW weather, the Port Authority may allow vessels exceeding 100m in length to anchor in the outer port if space permits but such vessels must be attended by tugs.

Prohibited anchorage: It is forbidden to anchor in the outer and inner channels giving access to Dock No 1, between the intake jetties of the fishing harbour and inside the docks. The prohibited anchorage area exists up to 4nm from the port, encompassing the area containing Leixoes Ocean Terminal 2.5nm NW of Quebra-mar Light (41°10.4'N 008°42.4'W).

Caution: Underwater pipelines are laid at the entrance to the outer port between the heads of North Mole and South Mole, and anchorage is prohibited within 100m of them.

Restrictions

Arrival/sailing restrictions: In favourable weather conditions entry is permitted both by day and at night with the following exceptions:

Vessels proceeding to Tanker Berth "A", berthing is only possible in daylight.

Passenger vessels over LOA 205m berth daylight only.

Vessels mooring at Inner Port over 165m daylight only and departing over 180m daylight only.

SBM Berth: There is a 0.5nm radius prohibited entry zone centred on the buoy.

Bascule Bridge: Leading to Inner Port, has a vertical clearance of 12m above CD when closed, spans the access, width 58m, between Docks No 1 and No 2 and links Leca da Palmeira with Matosinhos. The bridge is permanently manned during 0700-0100hrs and opened on request with 30 minutes prior notice during 0100-0700hrs. Maximum vessel size LOA 200m and beam 30m.

Speed: The maximum speed limit in the port is 5kts, unless the min manoeuvring speed of the vessels is higher.

Movements: Inside the Commercial Docks it is forbidden for ships or tugs to move simultaneously in opposite directions. Departing ships have priority and vessels arriving/departing Docks 4 and 2 have presidence over other vessels.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels exceeding 700GT; 2 tugs required for vessels exceeding 1,800GT. There are 5 tugs with capacities from 2,400-2,800bhp available. VHF Ch 10, 12, 71.

Mooring

Precautions to be taken by vessels in mooring and unmooring

Vessels that moor at quays dedicated to specific traffics for which they do not have priority shall be obliged to change quay or even anchor, should no harbour be available, in favour of those that have priority.

Charts and publications

BA 3258, 3634. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be sent to the agent a minimum of 12 hours prior to arrival and confirm 2 hours prior to arrival.

The ETA message must state max draught on arrival and quantities of IMO cargo to be discharged or in transit.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargo must advise ETA via agent al least 72 hours before arrival.

Departure and ship operations must be announced, with a minimum of a 1 hour notice in advance, to the Vessel Coordination Station.

If any details provided are changed, the alterations must be transmitted immediately to the VTS control centre.

Communications

Radio: It is recommended that Lisbon Radio (callsign "CUL") is used as this covers all the Portuguese coast. The station works continuously throughout 24 hours. Frequencies monitored are 2182kHz, 2252kHz, 2657kHz, 2054kHz and channels 413, 802 and 1,203.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Port: Harbour Master: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +351 229 983080. Fax: +351 229 963814. Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 12, 16, 14. Tel: +351 229 990700. Fax: + 351 229 990706. Email: [email protected].

VTS: Leixoes Port Control: Ch 12, 16, 18, 20, 68. Tel: +351 229 990700. Fax: +351 229 990701. Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 12, 10, 71.

Bascule Bridge: Ch 12.

Standard messages

Navigational warnings are transmitted on VHF Ch 16 by the Maritime Police in Portuguese and English. These are also transmitted on 2182kHz and 500kHz.

Official announcements, such as port closed or restricted navigation, are also passed to the vessel's agent through the Shipping Association.

Notice of readiness

Tendered as per Charter Party but is usually tendered on arrival at pilot station.

Health

Vessels arriving at the port are subject to national quarantine regulations. Quarantine is enforced in accordance with International Health Regulations 1969. Vessels entering territorial waters from abroad should hoist the appropriate International Code Signal flags and have no communication with the shore until they have been visited by the Port Health Officer and granted pratique.

A special signal code has been adopted internationally for the transmission of Radio Pratique messages.

Vessels sailing directly to Leixoes which have obtained prior free pratique in a national port may be excused from this health visit, if neither illness or death has occurred during the voyage or in the last 30 days and if the vessel has not called at contaminated ports or at frequently contaminated areas.

Should this visit not take place, it is still compulsory to present at the Health Delegation a Maritime Health Declaration and Sanitary documents according to the legal dispositions.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be issued/renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: There are no restrictions. Stores are sealed at the discretion of the Customs Officers. If penalties are incurred, a fine will be issued.

Immigration: Shore passes are supplied by agents and are stamped by Immigration. This allows visits ashore and travel in the country. Indonesian citizens, crew or passengers, are presently not allowed ashore except in an emergency.

Notices and regulations

Vessels approaching the port must wait at least 1nm from the outer side of North Mole and its extension, a clearance of at least 50m must be given to tankers berthed at the 3 oil terminals.

Movements in and out of the port are prohibited when a tanker is berthing at Pier "A" (oil terminal).

Port State Control here: Paris 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: Instituto Portuario e dos Transportes Maritimos.

Position: Chairman.

Address: Edificio Vasco da Gama, Rua General Gomes Araujo, P-1399-005, Lisbon, Portugal.

Tel: +351 21 391 4712

Mob: +351 91 971 3089

Website: http://www.imarport.pt

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

Repairs

Above water repairs can be carried out. Divers available.

Dry docks

Slipway with a lifting capacity of 200t, situated in Marigraph Dock, which can accommodate vessels up to 30m in length.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at Cais do South Mole, other docks by road tanker or lighter.

Bunkering: Available at the tanker terminal and at the commercial quays by road tankers. Port Authority permission required in advance.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital Pedro Hispano at Matosinhos, approx 2km from Leixoes.

Transport

Nearest airport: Pedras Rubras International Airport, 5km.

Nearest railway: Leixoes Rail Station, linked to the port.

Nearest highway: IP 1 and IP 4, also secondary routes IC 1/A 28/A 41.

Working hours

Dry cargo vessels: Normally 0800-2359hrs (overtime on Sun and public holidays). Tankers work continuously throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Leixoes is located 2.5nm N of the mouth of the Douro River, on the W coast of the Iberian peninsula near the city of Oporto.

The port

The port of Leixoes serves northern Portugal as an important trade centre, handling containerised cargo, general cargo, solid bulk, liquid bulk and Ro-Ro vessels. There are also a New Cruise Terminal, situated in the South part of the port. It is a coastal port with breakwaters providing good shelter and is divided into an outer and inner harbour.

Leixoes Ocean Terminal is a crude oil SBM berth, 2.5nm NW of the harbour.

Traffic

Approx 14,000,000t of cargo, 700,000TEU, 2,400 vessels and 9,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Leixoes in?

Local time at Leixoes is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Leixoes?

The deepest berth listed is at Oil Tanker Terminal: 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Leixoes?

1026.

Which load line zone is Leixoes in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Leixoes?

Port State Control at Leixoes: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Leixoes?

The UN/LOCODE of Leixoes is PTLEI.

What crews who called at Leixoes 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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