PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Masao
Pilot
updated May 2010- Masao pilot boarding Pilot boards09°00.5′N 125°28.2′E
Compulsory, contact Masao Harbour Pilot Association, Butuan City. The following pilot boarding stations are designated at PMO Nasipit for the safety and convenience of all concerned:
For vessels calling at the port of Masao and the port of Butuan, the pilot boarding station is situated 2nm N of the pilot station tower at Barrio Lumbocan, Butuan City.
Key data
updated Dec 2025Size limits
LOA 95.7m, Beam 18.2m, Draught 7.0m, 4,375DWT
Water density
1010-1012.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.8m. Port of Butuan has a 4kts current and Masao has strong sea currents.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masao Terminal | 7.00 m | 96 m | 3 |
| Butuan | 5.00 m | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2025Approach
The channel is unmarked.
Port limits
The port limits extend from Diwata Point on the western side and up to Bolo-Bolo point on the north eastern side.
Mooring
Vessels manoeuvring for berthing or anchoring without the necessary pilot and departing from the port without permission from the Philippine Ports Authority, shall be fined (not exceeding PP5,000 for domestic vessel and not exceeding PP10,000 for overseas vessels).
General berthing information: Application for berth allocation is on a "first come first served" basis. Passenger and vessels with perishable goods are given priority over cargo vessels.
Charts and publications
BA 957, 4472. Admiralty Pilot NP33.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Masao Port: Notice of ETA should be given 12 hours (domestic vessels) prior to arrival and for foreign vessels, 24 hours prior to arrival.
Butuan Port: Notice of ETA should be given 12 hours (domestic vessels) prior to arrival.
Standard messages
Advance shipping and cargo notices are required through agents at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Documents
Cargo documentation: Notice to load is required for forest products, with clearance to transport from DENR and payment of forest charges and Bill of Lading is required.
For other cargoes, only Bill of Lading is required.
Health
The Quarantine Officer will board upon arrival of vessel.
Customs and immigration
Officers will board and require routine documents for entry.
Flags
International Flag Requirements upon arrival (callsign, pilot, explosives, etc) are required.
Notices and regulations
PPA General Port Rules and Regulations apply.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Dec 2025Repairs
Minor repairs can be carried out through engineering and machine shops at Butuan City.
Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkers/Freshwater: Both Freshwater and Fuel are available.
Medical
MJ Santos Hospital; NALCO Emergency Clinic, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (2km); Nasipit Emergency Hospital, Kinabjangan, Nasipit:
Maternity Hospital and Butuan Puericulture Centre, San Jose St, Butuan City, Tel: +63 8521 449017; Butuan Doctors Hospital, km 2 Libertad, Butuan City, Tel: +63 8521 428569; Butuan General Hospital, Libertad, Butuan City; City General Hospital and Medical Center, Langihan, Butuan City. Agusan del Norte (2km), Butuan City (20km).
Crew change
Repatriation of crew members can be arranged with the agents via Cebu City or Manila.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bancasi, Butuan City (7km).
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours, with 3 working shifts.
About Masao
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Masao is located on the N shore of Mindanao Island, in the Bay of Butuan.
The port
Masao is the sea port area for Butuan and its shoreline facilities, located on the Agusan River.
The PPA Port Management Office of Nasipit covers the port areas of Nasipit and Masao and the river port areas of Butuan. Anchorage areas along the coast from Diwata Point to Bolo-Bolo Point and the banks of Agusan River and all loading and unloading points within the political boundaries of Agusan del Norte Province, Island of Mindanao, Philippines.
The main cargoes handled by the Butuan port area are lumber, falcatta logs, matchwood, flour, fertiliser, sugar, salt, bottled cargo, rolling cargoes, machinery and equipment, poles and piles, vegetable oil, fuel oil, hardware, veneer, plywood, etc. The main cargoes handled at Masao are logs, matchwood, fuel oil, lumber, plywood, veneer, hardware, containerised cargoes, machinery and equipment, tail end waste.
Traffic
Approx 250,000t of cargo, 200 vessels and 11,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Masao
Where does the pilot board at Masao?
The pilot boards at Masao pilot boarding, 09°00.5′N 125°28.2′E.
What time zone is Masao in?
Local time at Masao is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Masao?
The deepest berth listed is at Masao Terminal: 7.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Masao?
1010-1012.
Which load line zone is Masao in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Masao?
Port State Control at Masao: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Masao?
The UN/LOCODE of Masao is PHMAS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Masao 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.