Marsaxlokk

1. Marsaxlokk boarding — No.2A (good weather, vessels 300m and over) Pilot boards35°47.4′N 014°36.0′E
2. Marsaxlokk boarding — No.3 (bad weather) Pilot boards35°47.5′N 014°31.0′E
3. Marsaxlokk boarding — No.1 (bad weather) Pilot boards35°55.6′N 014°33.1′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 400m, beam 61.51m, draught 16.0m, 272,192DWT.

Off shore: LOA 184.9m, beam 32.2m, draught 10.2m, 51,486DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The tidal range at Marsaxlokk ranges between 0.3m - 0.6m.

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

Approach

The entrance to Marsaxlokk Bay has a width of 800m between Delimara Point and the end of the breakwater, extending approx 1,000m from Benghisa Point.

The mid channel depth is 20-25m. Approx 1nm S of the entrance is Benghisa Reef, with 5.5m of water at LWS. The port's inner fairway is dredged to 17.0m LAT.

Anchorages

Bunkering Areas: Positioned along the coast, shelter depending upon the weather conditions.

Waiting Area: Min depth 53m, max depth 73m, normally used by container vessels bound for Marsaxlokk, this anchorage is in exposed position.

Permission for anchorage for shelter may be given depending on weather conditions and individual circumstances. Vessels may be given permission to drift off the lee coast.

Restrictions

Maximum speed in the approach channel and port is 10kts.

Mooring

The terminal operator will decide the berth position for each vessel. This detail will be passed by the terminal operator to the pilot office.

It is the duty of the agent to ensure that the mooring party are present.

When an LNG Carrier is berthed alongside FSU Armada LNG Mediterrana, berthing is prohibited at Has Saptan Fuelling Dolphin and Delimara Power Station Berth.

Charts and publications

BA 36, 167, 176, 194, 1439, 2124, 2538. US Publication 131. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

Communications

VHF: Marsaxlokk Port Control/VTS: Ch 16, 14, 20, 22. Tel: +356 22 914652, Fax: +356 22 914419. Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 09. Tel: +356 21 227028, Fax: +356 21 227029. Email: [email protected].

Malta Freeport Terminal: Tel: +356 21 650200. Fax: +356 21 1900.

Tugs: Ch 16, 10, 68, 74.

Terminals and Marinas: Ch 13.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered as per ship/receiver agreement.

Documents

The following documents, (2 copies of each), must be presented by the vessel's agent to Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd, 24 hours prior to arrival.

Vessels will be entered in and out by the Port Director and endorsed port dues certificates will be required prior to departure.

Planning information required:

Discharge Bay Plans and discharge lists are required by the terminal operators a minimum of 24 hours, prior to scheduled ETA for both mother and feeder vessels.

Stowage: The line must consolidate discharge containers by POD whenever possible.

Loading lists: All data is to be with the terminal operator a min of 8 hours prior to vessel's ETA.

Deadlines: The terminal operator will use the above deadlines to ensure yard integrity. Stack checks will be carried out within 4 hours from the commencement of ship work. A surcharge will be raised against the line in the event that ship work information, or any amendments thereto are provided 8 and 4 hours prior to the commencement of vessel operations.

No changes will be accepted beyond 4 hours to commencement of ship work.

Health

The Port Medical Officer grants pratique after boarding vessels on arrival.

Accelerated pratique may be granted through the agent, provided that the crew are in good health, that the vessel has not called at any infected port in the previous 15 days and that the vessel is coming from a European port. Any disease onboard has to be disclosed before entering port.

Customs and immigration

Immigration and Customs Officers board vessels on berthing, to check Crew and Passenger Lists. Non compliance could lead to severe fines or the arrest of the vessel and Master.

Flags

The Maltese flag is to be hoisted on arrival. Other flags to be used depend on the health conditions on board, the presence of dangerous goods or other special conditions, as per the International Code of Signals.

Notices and regulations

All vessels within the ports of Malta must adhere to all regulations enacted by the Malta Maritime Authority Act 1991, the Port Regulations 1966, the Dock Safety Regulations 1953, the Dangerous Cargo Ships, Marine Terminals and Facilities and Bunkering Regulations 1966 and any other directives issued by the Executive Director (Ports).

Checklists regarding dangerous goods have to be presented.

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: Malta Maritime Authority, Maritime Security Compliance Department.

Contact person: National Maritime Security Compliance Manager

Address: Malta Maritime Authority, Valetta, VLT 01, Malta.

Tel: +356 2291 4513

Fax: +356 2291 4599

Mob: +356 9949 5393

Website: http://www.mma.gov.mt

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

Repairs

Available at Valletta. The services provided range from major conversions to hull cleaning, engine overhauls and underwater repairs.

Dry docks

Available at Valletta.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available in small quantities.

Bunkering: Barge or road tanker deliveries are available through agents. All arrangements require prior approval from the terminal operator.

Medical

There is a local hospital, 7km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Luqa, 6km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Marsaxlokk is situated on the S coast of Malta.

The port

The ports container terminals are owned by the Malta Freeport Corporation Limited. It is a Customs free zone with 2 main terminals, container and break bulk, an oil terminal and extensive warehousing facilities. The port also consist other tanker terminals and berthing facilities for handling petroleum products, crude oil, and LPG. FSU 'Armada LNG Mediterrana' with a storage capacity of 125,000cbm located at Delimara LNG Regasification Terminal are used for handling of LNG.

Traffic

Approx 5,810,000t of cargo, 2,800,000TEU and 1,800 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Marsaxlokk?

The pilot boards at Marsaxlokk boarding — No.2A (good weather, vessels 300m and over), 35°47.4′N 014°36.0′E. Marsaxlokk has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Marsaxlokk in?

Local time at Marsaxlokk 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 Marsaxlokk?

The deepest berth listed is at Malta Freeport - Container Terminal 1: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Marsaxlokk?

1025.

Which load line zone is Marsaxlokk in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Marsaxlokk?

Port State Control at Marsaxlokk: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Marsaxlokk?

The UN/LOCODE of Marsaxlokk is MTMAR.

What crews who called at Marsaxlokk 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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