Manila

1. Manila Bay boarding station: Harbor Center pilots Pilot boards14°36.0′N 120°53.0′E
2. Manila Bay boarding station: North Harbor pilots Pilot boards14°37.0′N 120°56.0′E
3. Manila Bay boarding station: South Harbor pilots Pilot boards14°34.0′N 120°53.0′E
4. Maragondon Point (Filoil) pilot boarding place Pilot boards14°33.0′N 120°56.0′E

Size limits

LOA 347.11m, draught 12.0m, beam 44.01m, 87,673DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

Mean spring range 1.0m; mean neap range 0.3m.

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

Approach

Extensive developments have taken place in Manila Bay. Depths may be up to 3.0m less than charted. Numerous changes to lights, buoys and beacons have been made. It is advisable to check the latest information with the Port Authorities before approaching and entering the harbours.

Mariners are advised to consult the Port Authority for confirmation of depths.

Note: It is reported that there is a new controlling draught of 12.8m MLLW at the entrance channel to the South Harbour. This draught covers a width of 200m and 2.2nm channel length.

Harbour Centre (North Port): The new harbour is entered from the W, off the deep water approach channel, into a buoyed and dredged access channel 6,000m long, 100m wide, with least depth of 11.5m towards mid channel and approx 7.0m closer to the channel side. The channel is equipped with 3 navigation guides and 4 lighted buoys.

International Port Basin: The approaches to the basin has least charted depth of 10.6m.

North Harbour: The North Harbour entrance channel is approx 1.5nm long with least depth of 10.0m in the approach to the harbour with depths of 6.5m, or less, off the berths. The harbour is entered from the W, passing (with positions from the North Breakwater Light (14°37.2'N 120°56.6'E)): Clear of stranded wreck, the position of which is approximate (2nm W), then:

Clear of a wreck with 0.9m of water over it (2nm W), then:

Close N of a lightbuoy (starboard hand) (0.2nm NNW).

Then the track leads SE into North Harbour, passing:

Clear of a shoal patch (0.2nm N), with 4.9m of water over it; and NE of a buoy (starboard hand) (200m NNW) marking the shoal ground extending NW from North Breakwater.

Then NE of North Breakwater Light, then as necessary for berthing.

International Port Basin: International Port Basin is entered from W via the deep channel, passing (with positions from North Breakwater Light (14°37.2'N 120°56.6'E):

N of a buoy (isolated danger) (2nm WSW), then: S of an obstruction (1.5nm WSW) with a swept depth of 7.6m, then N of ''C'' Buoy (1.75nm SW), then: Through the entrance (1nm SW), 350m wide, between the breakwaters, and into the basin. A light is exhibited from the head of the breakwaters on either side of the entrance. A bank with depths of less than 5.0m extends 0.5nm S from the N breakwater head. Then direct to a berth.

South Harbour: The South Harbour navigation channel is approx 0.5nm long, 200m wide with a least charted depth of 10.0m or deeper along the full length except for a dangerous wreck 0.375nm SW of the entrance. The entrance to South Harbour is via the dredged channel leading NE from the E corner of the S quarantine anchorage (14°33'N 120°56'E), passing (with positions from the head of West Breakwater (14°34.4'N 120°57.3'E)):

SE of Anchorage C (centred 1nm WNW), and NW of Anchorage B (centred 0.7nm S), then through the entrance to South Harbour between the head of West Breakwater and the N head of South Breakwater. A light is exhibited from the head of West Breakwater (white round metal tower, black bands, concrete base, 10m in height), and from the N head of South Breakwater (white metal column, 11m in height). It is reported that the breakwater lights are difficult to identify against the lights of manila,

Then direct to a berth, keeping clear of a dangerous wreck (0.25nm ESE), the position of which is approximate.

Within South Harbour, in the SE corner, lights are exhibited from the Yacht Basin breakwaters (1.75nm ESE).

Caution: In all areas, whether within Manila Harbour limits or in the anchorage, are to be found shoals, obstructions or wrecks, some of which may not be charted.

Within the harbour limits the least affected areas are International Port Basins and North Harbour.

In South Harbour are many wrecks and obstructions, most of which have been swept by wire. In NW and SE of South Harbour there are mooring buoys and many parts of the bottom in South harbour are foul.

Port limits

The harbour limits (not all shown on the chart) are defined as being bounded by the shoreline in the E, and a line, drawn 255° from the NW corner of Nino Aquino International Airport (14°31.86'N 121°00.18'E) to intersect with the meridian passing through Sangley Point Light (14°29.9'N 120°55.12'E); then 000° for 7.25nm; then 090° for 1.5nm to the reclaimed land W of Vitas Estero River (14°38.0'N 120°57.22'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Procedure for INBOUND vessels:

(a) Vessels approaching Corregidor Island from any direction intending to enter Manila and the port of Mariveles shall, when 20nm off Corregidor Island, report to the VTMS Control Centre on VHF Ch 16 or 19, stating the following information;

(b) Prior to entering or joining and/or leaving the TSS, vessels should report the following information;

(c) 1 hour before arrival at the quarantine anchorage/pilot boarding area, vessels should report the following information;

(d) Upon arrival at the quarantine anchorage/pilot boarding area, vessels should report the following information;

Vessels moving within port:

(a) Vessels moving from the quarantine anchorage/pilot boarding area to pier or anchorage berth should report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19), stating the following information;

(b) After berthing, mooring or anchoring at the assigned berth, vessels should report the following information;

(c) Whenever there is a shift of berth as authorized by the Port Authority, vessels (before departing from the present position and after docking, mooring or anchoring at the new berth) should report the following information;

(d) Vessels shall not move to another berth without authority from the VTMS Control Centre.

OUTBOUND vessels:

(a) Vessels leaving berth should report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19) stating the following information;

(b) Vessels leaving the pilot boarding area should report the following information;

(c) When inside and outside the TSS, vessels should report the following information;

Vessels cruising or navigating only within Manila Bay:

(a) When departing the port, vessels should report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19), stating the following information;

(b) 30mins after departure, vessels should report the following information;

(c) Upon anchoring or mooring at the next port of call, vessels should report the following information;

Vessels passing through the VTMS area but not entering Manila Bay or calling at ports within Manila Bay are required to report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19) stating the following information;

Deep draught vessels intending to lighter their cargo:

(a) Vessels shall report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19) when 2nm from the anchorage berths for lightering deep draught vessels, stating the following information;

(b) Before leaving the berth for lightening of cargoes, vessels shall inform the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19).

Emergency situations:

(a) Vessels shall report to the VTMS Control Centre (VHF Ch 16 or 19) as soon as possible;

(b) The vessel making a report of an emergency situations in section (a) shall advise;

Traffic Separation Schemes have been established in the entrance to Manila Harbour Centre and North Harbour. The schemes are not IMO adopted. However, their routing system is as stated in Rule 10 of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Vessels engaged in foreign trade should use the North Channel TSS and vessels engaged in domestic trade should use the South Channel TSS. North Channel TSS may also be used by deep draught vessels in domestic trade, including tugs and tows, after consulting the VTMS.

Anchorages

All vessels entering Manila Bay are prohibited from stopping or anchoring at any place between the entrance to Manila Bay and the anchorages off Manila Harbour without having previously obtained the permission of the Commissioner of Customs. The same applies to vessels leaving Manila Harbour.

Vessel not intending to immediately enter the harbour may anchor in the designated anchorage outside the breakwaters.

Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc Anchorage Points.

South Harbour

Deep draught vessels will not be allowed to anchor or use the designated anchorage berths other than for discharging cargoes. Vessels may not anchor or lie in the approaches to a port or principal fairway, nor obstruct the way to the designated anchorage berths in areas which will adversely affect another vessel anchored nearby.

All deep draught vessels intending to use any designated anchorage for the sole purpose of lightering of cargoes have to secure the necessary clearance from the Port Manager.

Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage is situated 2nm SW of South Breakwater. Several obstructions lie close W of the W limit of this anchorage.

A second quarantine anchorage, mainly for the use of vessels entering the International Port Basin, is located in (14°36.3'N 120°52.6'E) W of the entrance to the International Port Basin, can accommodate 3 vessels has a depth of 11.0m.

A vessel should display her official number or letters when approaching the quarantine anchorage in daylight. A vessel arriving at night must display her letters in addition to "Q" flag; if the vessel is carrying mail, "Y" flag should be displayed until delivery is effected.

The quarantine station for Manila is Mariveles.

All vessels must await the Immigration Authorities representative in the Quarantine Anchorage, with the exception of vessels arriving from China (mainland) during the summer months, the latter may be instructed by these authorities to proceed to Mariveles Harbour where they will be boarded by Immigration Officials. The quarantine station is at Mariveles Harbour.

Explosives anchorage: With a radius of 0.5nm, is situated 3nm WNW of West Breakwater head.

Restrictions

There is a wreck in the North Harbour, between Pier 12 and 14.

Tugs

Number of tugs required depends on the size of the vessel.

Mooring

Mooring bits are provided on both sides of the berths, while bollards are installed between the bits at approx 20m intervals.

Charts and publications

BA 3931, 3932, 4491. Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be submitted 72 hours and 24 hours prior to arrival.

Documents

Copies of Application for Berth, Stowage Plan and Inward Foreign Manifest are required.

Health

Quarantine clearance is required prior to other formalities.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Customs and immigration

Bureau of Immigration and Deportation is in charge of Customs and Immigration.

Notices and regulations

Within the breakwater, berths are assigned by the Harbour Master. Permission must be obtained from the Harbour Master before anchoring, mooring and no berth other than that allocated may be occupied without his permission.

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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC

Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.

Fax: +63 2 725 4787

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

Repairs

Available. Divers are available. Vessels up to 1,500DWT can be slipped. Floating cranes up to 75t capacity are available. Other major repair facilities are located in the region.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel oil and diesel are available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

There are hospitals located nearby.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Manila International (Ninoy Aquino International) Airport,

(10km).

Nearest railway: Tutuban Station (2km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Container Terminal: Vessels and container yard, throughout 24 hours.

CFS 0800-1700hrs or as needed, 6 days a week.

Billing and documentation cargo: Exports: 0800-1700hrs 6 days a week as need arises. Imports: 0800-1700hrs, 5 days a week, as need arises, (vessel) 0800-1700hrs 6 days a week.

Where it is

Manila Harbour is situated at the E end of Manila Bay, 7nm NNE of Cavite and off the mouth of Pasig River (14°36'N 120°57'E).

The port

The port of Manila is the Philippines' premier cargo terminal. It is divided up into the South Harbour, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), North Harbour and the Harbour Centre Port.

It has a shoreline of 2km and is protected by some 3,048m of rock breakwater barriers, enclosing approx 600ha of anchorage.

Traffic

Approx 100,000,000t of cargo, 7,500,000TEU, 20,000 of vessels and 500,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Manila?

The pilot boards at Manila Bay boarding station: Harbor Center pilots, 14°36.0′N 120°53.0′E. Manila has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Manila in?

Local time at Manila is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Manila?

The deepest berth listed is at Manila International Container Terminal (MICT): 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Manila?

1025.

Which load line zone is Manila in?

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Who carries out Port State Control at Manila?

Port State Control at Manila: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Manila?

The UN/LOCODE of Manila is PHMNL.

What crews who called at Manila 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.

Read and add tips for Manila →