Lisbon

1. Lisboa boarding — Bar Pilot Pilot boards38°40.8′N 009°24.3′W
2. Lisboa boarding — Harbor Pilot Pilot boards38°41.1′N 009°12.9′W

Size limits

LOA 315m, beam 43m, draught 14.5m, 120,566DWT.

Water density

1023-1025.

Alhandra terminals have water densities of approx 1002.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 3.2m, mean neap range 1.5m off the city of Lisboa the outgoing stream is very strong and may attain a rate of between 6-7kts during freshets; under these conditions the stream is usually less strong on the S side of the river.

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

Approach

The port's main access channel has a depth of 15.5m LST.

Approach from west: Between Cabo Raso (38°42'N 009°29'W) and Ponta do Salmondo (3.25nm E) all charted dangers are contained within the 20m depth contour which runs parallel to the coast at a distance of about 0.05nm. In bad weather condition it is prudent to remain at least 1nm offshore to avoid breakers which extend up to 0.5nm from the coast when a sea is running.

The port is entered by two channels defined by leading marks. Barra Norte, the shallower with depth 5.2m, is entered from W and Barra Sul the deeper channel, also known as Barra Grande, which is maintained to a depth of 14.0m and width of 250m by dredging, is entered from SW. Both channels merge at the entrance to the river which is 1.5nm wide between Forte de Sao Juliao and Forte Bugio.

Caution. Fishing nets may be laid up to 0.5nm off this coastline during the period from Mar to Nov.

Approach from South. From a position NW of Cabo Espichel (38°25'N 009°13'W) the clearing bearing (the line of bearing more than 336° of Cabo Roca (38°47'N 009°30'W)) may be found useful in approaching the mouth of Rio Tejo.

By night the line of bearing, more than 334°, of the white sector of Santa Marta Light passes WSW of the dangers at the mouth of Rio Tejo.

Caution: Tidal streams set strongly in and out of the entrance to Rio Tejo; mariners should guard against being set NE on the ingoing stream. The outgoing stream is often felt up to 3nm outside the bar.

Port limits

The port limits are bounded at the river entrance by a line leading SE from Forte de Sao Juliao (38°40'N 009°19'W) to Forte Bugio (1.5nm SE) (a line traditionally known as Linha de Entre-Torres), then E to Ponta da Calha (38°40'N 009°16'W). Upriver the limits are bounded by the bridge which crosses Rio Tejo at the town of Vila Franca de Xira (38°57'N 008°59'W).

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There are two designated anchorage areas in Baia de Cascais (38°41'N 009°24'W) which are utilised by vessels awaiting entry to Rio Tejo:

Vessels drawing more than 5.0m in an area, situated 1.5nm SE of Sant Marta Lighthouse (38°41'N 009°25'W).

Attention is drawn to a wreck with a depth of 22.0m over it lying close inside the S boundary of the area.

Vessels drawing less than 5.0m anchor in an area, situated 1.0nm E of Santa Marta Lighthouse.

For anchoring purposes the port is divided into two zones, E and W, with the boundary between them being the line joining Torre de Belem pilot station with the old Lazareto basin (1nm S). These zones are further divided into designated areas, details of which are given below. In general the bottom is sand and mud and the holding ground is good, however the tidal streams are strong and W winds on the out going stream cause vessels to range considerably with the possibility of dragging. Large vessels are not so likely to drag if anchored near the S shore, E winds cause the most sea in the port.

W Zone: The four designated areas, are as follows (positioned from Torre de Belem);

Prohibited anchorage areas: In addition to local prohibitions which are detailed in the relevant parts of the text the main areas where anchoring is prohibited are centred in the following positions:

Entrance protection area, 40°38.5'N 009°17.5'W.

Belem-Trafaria and Belem-Porto Brandao ferry safety and protection area, 40°41.0'N 009°12.5'W.

Passing area E of Ponte 25 de Abril and ferry safety and protection area Lisboa to Cacilhas and Barreiro, 40°41.5'N 009°09.0'W. Under certain circumstances this area may be used providing the visibility is more than 2nm, there is a pilot onboard and the stay is less than 6 hours.

Restrictions

Draught: Entry for vessels with draughts between 11.0m and 14.0m depends on the sea state.

Vertical clearance: Ponte 25 de Abril, a road suspension bridge, spans the river 6.5nm above the entrance. The bridge is supported on two main pillars, 190m in height spaced approx 1,000m apart, which provide a vertical clearance of 70m under the central span at HW.

Navigation is forbidden less than 150m from the banks.

Tugs

There are 20 tugs of 200-3,300hp available. Private tugs available on a 24 hour basis if required, equipped with fire fighting equipment.

Charts and publications

BA 87, 3221, 3222, 3635. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA is to be sent as soon as possible to the vessel's agent enabling him to arrange a pier with the port administration co-ordinator. In cases of congestion the port will decide in favour of the vessel arriving first. The ETA message must include the max draught on arrival and quantities of IMO cargo to be discharged or in transit.

Confirmation of ETA should be advised to the agent at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Final ETA confirmation is to be made by VHF Ch 14 to Lisbon pilots at 4 and 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station. Pilot will advise the Master about berthing instructions.

Communications

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, 2054kHz and channels 413, 802 and 1203.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Harbour Master: Ch 16, 11. Tel: +351 210 911100. Fax: + 351 210 911195. Email: [email protected]. (0900-1230 1400-1630hrs)

Port Authority: Ch 12, 16, 01, 05, 06. Tel: +351 213 611000. Fax: +351 213 611007. Email: [email protected]. (Available 24 hours)

Pilots: Ch 14. Tel: +351 213 025480. Fax: +351 213 025410. Email: [email protected].

Port Control: Ch 74, 16, 12, 13. Tel: +351 213 025482. Fax: +351 213 025486. Email: [email protected].

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

Depends on Charter Party but is normally tendered at the place where the pilot boarded (at Cascais pilot station (entrance buoy) or Belem pilot station (inside harbour).

Note: A vessel is considered "inside Lisbon harbour" after passing a line joining Sao Juliao tower and Bugio Light.

Documents

All these certificates and records will be taken by the agent to the Harbour Master's office to be checked. No vessel will be cleared from the port without all documents being in good order.

Cargo documents: Import, export and transit documents are to be presented at Customs 24 hours (maximum) after the vessel is granted free pratique.

Health

Free pratique can be obtained by the agent on arrival at the health department. The clearance depends upon a "negative" International Health Declaration.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates or Exemption Certificates can be issued/renewed by the official health department (inspection and issuance on same day).

Customs and immigration

Personal Effects List and Stores List must include all quantities. Penalties are severe in cases where wrong information is supplied or in non compliance.

Immigration: Immigration officers visit the vessel on arrival and check the Crew List against Seaman's Books or passports. They also satisfy themselves as to the absence of stowaways. After this, they will issue a shore pass for all crew members, except for citizens of Indonesia who are only allowed ashore in an emergency.

Notices and regulations

Hazardous cargo: IMO cargo must be authorised by the port administration and Harbour Master 24 hours before arrival. Agent must be presented with a detailed list which shows: Quantity, IMO class and UN number and page.

Regulations concerning entry: Entrance channels: Vessels or craft proceeding in opposite directions are not permitted to pass one another in Barra Norte, in the approach to the narrows, from a position on the leading line 0.7nm W of Ponta da Laje (38°40'N 009°19'W) up to Ponta da Laje itself. When two vessels are approaching from opposite directions the vessel farthest from the entrance to the channel should wait until the other vessel has passed through it. If in doubt as to which vessel is nearest to the entrance, the one proceeding with the tidal stream has priority.

A vessel entering through Barra Norte must give way to a vessel leaving through Barra Sul and must keep NW of the alignment (050°) of the Caxais and Mama Sul Beacons until it is clear to proceed up river. The vessel leaving by Barra Sul should keep to the Gibalta-Esteiro leading line and on no account get NW of the alignment mentioned above.

Fishing is strictly prohibited in the entrance channels.

Speeds and distances: Within the port when E of the meridian of Alges (009°14'W) any speed in excess of 10kts are forbidden except where the minimum manoeuvering speed of the vessel is above this speed. Vessels without a pilot onboard are restricted to a speed of 5kts when E of the meridian of Torre de Belem (009°13'W) and within 150m of the shore. Navigation within 150m of dock entrances, wharves, piers, terminals and river walls is prohibited and Pontal de Cacilhas (38°41'N 009°07.8'W) must be given a clearance of 500m. Above Doca da Marinha (38°42.3'N 009°07.8'W), in the approach to Canal de Cabo Ruivo, the N bank of the river should be given a clearance of 1,000m.

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

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, order via agent.

Bunkering: Fuel oil, diesel and gas oil are available. Bunkers available from BP Portuguesa, Esso Portuguesa, Mobil Oil Portuguesa, Petrogal and Shell Portuguesa.

Stores: Available, order via agent.

Medical

Hospital de San Jose, Lisbon (3km).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Portela, Lisbon (11km).

Airport facilities: The airport has connections to most international destinations. Airfreight facilities are also available.

Nearest railway: Lisbon.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Lisbon is situated at the estuary of the River Tagus, which is 25km long and between 2km and 14km wide.

The port

The port of Lisbon covers over 32,500ha with over 16,000m of berthage.

All cruise ship handling and a large proportion of total cargo handling, including, containers, break bulk, dry bulk and Ro-Ro, is on the North Bank, while the South Bank has specialised dry and liquid bulk terminals.

Traffic

Approx 9,300,000t of cargo, 300,000TEU, 52,000 passengers and 1,700 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Lisbon?

The pilot boards at Lisboa boarding — Bar Pilot, 38°40.8′N 009°24.3′W. Lisbon has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Lisbon in?

Local time at Lisbon 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 Lisbon?

The deepest berth listed is at Palenca Bulk Food Terminal: 14.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lisbon?

1023-1025. Alhandra terminals have water densities of approx 1002.

Which load line zone is Lisbon in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Lisbon?

Port State Control at Lisbon: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lisbon?

The UN/LOCODE of Lisbon is PTLIS.

What crews who called at Lisbon 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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