Marseille

1. Marseille boarding — position 1 (Marseille) Pilot boards43°19.1′N 005°14.7′E
2. Marseille boarding — position 2 (Endoume) Pilot boards43°14.7′N 005°18.1′E

Size limits

Max LOA 415m, beam 60m, draught 21m, 450,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

Tides

Nil.

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

Approach

The port can be approached through Rade de Marseille, which lies between Cap Mejean (43°20.0'N 005°13.0'E) and Cap Caveaux (43°16.0'N 005°17.0'E), the W end of Ile Pomegues. Alternately the port can be approached using the more difficult channel leading through Rade d'Endoume, which lies between Cap Caveaux and Cap Croisette (43°13.0'N 005°21.0'E). The East Port is entered through Passe Nord (43°21.0'E 005°19.0'E) or Passe Sud (43°18.0'N 005°21.0'E) and the West Port is entered via the Fos Channel.

Approach to the area is easier from the E than from the W, as from Toulon to Marseilles the coast is dominated by an easily recognisable coast with heights of 600m to 800m. To the W from Cap Couronne, the coast is relatively flat and the banks of the Gulf de Fos itself are low lying and only become visible close inshore.

Eastern Harbour Approach: Optional pilotage area:

This extends S from Sausset Le Pins Lighthouse (Long 005°06.5'E) to Lat 43°12'N; then due E to Ile de Planier Lighthouse; then in an ESE direction to the W end of Ile Riou Island; then NW to the W end of Ile Maire Island, then in a NNW'ly direction to the coast at Ilot de l'Elevine Lighthouse.

The area to the NE of this area is a compulsory pilotage area.

Approach to the Eastern Harbour area (Marseilles) is made through a traffic lane. The initial lane, when approaching from seaward is 2.5nm wide. The start of the channel is centred on position 43°12.0'N 005°09.7'E. This proceeds due N to position 43°16.1'N 005°09.7'E where course is altered to starboard onto a bearing of 050°. The traffic lane also reduces to 1.5nm in width.

Western Harbour Approach: Pre-approach area:

This extends S from the parallel of Cap Couronne (43°19.6'N) to 43°12.0'N. It is bounded to the W by the meridian passing through Faraman Lighthouse (004°41.3'E) and to the E by the meridian passing through Sausset Les Pins Lighthouse (005°06.5'E). In this area pilotage is optional.

North of this area, pilotage is compulsory.

Approach is made to the Western Harbour area using the Pointe de St Gervais Lighthouse. The white sector of the light covers the arc 340°-348°, the centre bearing, 344° aligns with the Omega approach buoy. Vessels making for the area stay in the sector bearing 340°-344°, those departing stay in the sector bearing 344°-348°. The green sector of the light covers the arc from 323°-340° and the red covers the arc 348°-007°.

A designated tanker approach channel, depth 24.5m, max draught 22.25m, has been established. The channel is entered 3nm W of Ile de Planier, and leads to the N end of the port. Whilst in the channel tankers have right of way over all vessels crossing. The tanker channel may not be entered without prior permission from the Port Authorities, transmitted on VHF Ch 16.

Anchorages

Pilotage is compulsory for anchoring.

Restrictions

The speed limit in Marseille Eastern harbours N and S of Cape Janet Passage is 10kts. Caronte Channel 15kts. Navigation within 300m off shore 5kts, if less than LOA 50m.

The berthing and unberthing operations will be suspend if the wind velocity reaches 45 knots at Fos and Lavera oil terminals.

The berthing is prohibited when the wind speed reaches 40 knots at Berre oil terminal.

The vessels crossing the Pinede Bridge with more than 200m LOA need to be assisted with 2 tugs if the mean winds from other sectors is more than 25kts and mean crosswinds equals or lower than 15kts.

Tugs

Available throughout the port from various companies. LNG carriers need 2 tugs at least.

Charts and publications

SHOM Charts 7390, 6767 (Eastern harbour), 7008, 6951, 6767, 6684, 6907 (Western harbour). Elecronic Nautical Charts FR 303120, 403360, 503351.

BA 151, 153, 155, 2116, 1705. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA upon departure from last port of call, then every 24 hours before arrival with confirmation to vessel's agent 12 hours prior to arrival. A minimum of 48 hours notice required by VTS service.

Vessels carrying hydrocarbons or other dangerous cargoes are subject to mandatory SURNAV movement reporting.

Inbound vessels must send the following information for each ETA message to the VTS Center:

1. ETA sent 48 hours in advance, including:

a. Vessels name and call sign

b. Destination and port of departure

c. Draught

d. Cargo, include nature and tonnage of hazardous substances on board.

e. LOA, beam and gross tons

f. Vessel type

g. ETA

2. ETA sent at least 24 hours in advance. The message should also include:

a. ETA at pilot boarding position

b. Draught

c. Number of persons on board (passengers and crew)

d. Maritime Declaration of Health, ISPS declaration, vessel's insurance certificate, and vessel's waste certificate.

3. Six hours before entry into French Territorial Waters, vessels transporting hydrocarbons or dangerous substances must send a SURNAV message.

4. Prior to crossing the S limit of the area, all vessels must report to the VTS on VHF channel 12 stating:

a. Vessel's name and call sign

b. Position and ETA into the ZFMR

c. Draught (Forward and aft)

d. If pilot, tugs, or boatmen required

e. Destination and port of departure

f. Any failures or possible failures

g. Any health and safety situation

h. Any dangerous good on board and their position.

5. The VTS will respond giving information regarding:

a. Vessel's route

b. Pilotage

c. Availability of berths

d. Port safety level, if not Level 1

e. Other information, including traffic, weather, etc.

6. Vessels over 1,600 gt transporting hydrocarbons or dangerous substances may not enter the approach channel N of the parallel of 43°12'N without the authorization of the VTS.

7. In the event that the vessel's identification is in doubt, the VTS will call every vessel it is expecting until the vessel has been identified.

Communications

VHF: Marseille Port Control: Ch 12. Tel: +33 4 91 39 41 41

Marseille Pilot Station: Ch 08. Tel: +33 4 91 14 29 10, Email: [email protected]

Frioul Pilot Station: Tel: +33 4 91 59 01 88

Port Movements: VTS: Ch 06

Ship-to-Ship: Ch 77

Standard messages

Confirmation of arrival. Eventual gas free confirmation in case of OBO's.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the terms of the Charter Party.

Health

Request for pratique to be made to harbour control prior to arrival.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates possible with prior notice to agent.

Customs and immigration

Usual regulations for cigarettes and spirits.

Seaman's Book and/or passport must be available onboard for presentation to the Immigration department.

Counterfeit goods

Specific plants and plant products

Animal and plant species that are protected by the Washington Convention (CITES)

Products and objects that are pornographic in nature

Medications for human use (unless presented with a prescription or medical

certificate for the purpose of treatment for a limited period of time

Narcotics and psychotropic drugs (unless presented with a prescription or

medical certificate)

Flags

To be displayed: During bunkering Interco flag "B" flag and on arrival "Q" flag.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

All types can be undertaken.

Port Authority Repair tender: The port have put to tender the use of Drydock No 10 as a repair facility for the current generation of cruise ships, container vessels and tankers. The 465m drydock would be capable of accepting the LOA 360m for container vessels and LOA 330m for cruise ships that currently use the port.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available ex-barge or berth throughout the port complex.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospitals and clinics within the region.

Transport

Nearest airport: Marignane (Marseilles), Marseille-Provence, 18km.

Nearest railway: Marseille.

Working hours

S1: 0600-1300hrs

S2: 1300-2000hrs

S3: 2000-0300hrs

Overtime is available.

Where it is

Marseille is situated on the French Mediterranean Sea coast within the Gulf of Lion.

The port

The port of Marseille Fos is divided into two areas: The Eastern Harbour and the Western Harbours.

The Eastern Harbours, located close to the city of Marseille, is dedicated to national and international ferry traffic, cruise ships, Ro-Ro, container ships and break bulk carriers. The Western Harbours handle crude oil and oil products, chemicals, gas, container, bulk and Ro-Ro traffic.

Traffic

Approx 75,000,000t of cargo (2,700,000t of coal), 1,450,000TEU, 1,200,000 passengers and 9,000 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Marseille?

The pilot boards at Marseille boarding — position 1 (Marseille), 43°19.1′N 005°14.7′E. Marseille has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Marseille in?

Local time at Marseille 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 Marseille?

The deepest berth listed is at DPF Terminal: 21.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Marseille?

1025.

Which load line zone is Marseille in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Marseille?

Port State Control at Marseille: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Marseille?

The UN/LOCODE of Marseille is FRMRS.

What crews who called at Marseille 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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