Mejillones

1. Mejillones Zona de Espera de Prácticos ZEP 1 (282° × 1,6 M from Interacid terminal head) Pilot boards23°04.0′S 070°25.5′W
2. Mejillones Zona de Espera de Prácticos ZEP 2 (337° × 1,2 M from Interacid terminal head) Pilot boards23°03.8′S 070°24.3′W
3. Mejillones Zona de Espera de Prácticos ZEP GNL (347° × 2,3 M from Interacid terminal head) Pilot boards23°02.1′S 070°24.4′W
4. Mejillones pilot boarding place (Michilla) Pilot boards22°42.4′S 070°19.1′W

Size limits

LOA 366.46m, beam 53.5m, draught 14.40m, 182,930DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Spring Range 0.9m, neap range 0.6m.

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

Approach

Following significant changes to port infrastructure, vessels should contact relevant port officials and operators for the latest information on depths and approach markers.

Approach and entry: Mejillones is approached and entered between Punta Angamos (23°01'S 070°32'W) and Punta Chacaya 11.25nm ENE. Lighted ranges indicate approach channels.

From a position W of Punta Angamos (23°01'S 70°32') the track leads NE passing N and NE of Punta Angamos.

When entering the bay particular care should be taken to give a wide berth to Roca Abtao (23°01'S 070°32'W) close NE of Punta Angamos, then the track leads to the pilot boarding position.

Puerto Angamos: Leading lights indicate the approaches to these berths. The extremity of the shallows on the SW side is marked by two red light buoys. The edge of the shallows on the NE side is marked by two green light buoys.

Note - Large areas of red or coffee-coloured plankton are a phenomenon to the area. Waters sometimes turn yellow, giving the impression there are shoal banks.

Port limits

E from Punta Chorus (23°02'.6S, 70°29'.9W) to the shore on the opposite of the Bahia Mejillones del Sur (23°02'.6S, 70°21'.6W).

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained within 0.8nm of the shore in any part of the bay, on sand, with good holding. Depths decrease rapidly towards the shore. Anchoring is prohibited 100m E of the submarine pipeline, which extends 900m N from the shoreline 0.3nm W of Puerto Mejillones de Sur Light. This is marked by special light buoys.

Vessels should not anchor N of Punta Choros (23°02'.6S 070°29'.9W) the coast here is steep to and the holding ground is bad.

Explosives and inflammable material anchorage, located in a depth of approx 20m, 2.5nm ENE of Cerro San Luciano and 0.35nm offshore, noting a 4.7m shoal 0.5nm E of this position.

There is a good anchorage for smaller vessels at Caleta Michilla (23°43'S 070°19'W), to the N of Bahia Mejillones del Sur. Vessels using the Michilla Marine Terminal facilities may anchor in sand in a depth of approx 22m, 05nm N or S of the entrance to the cove.

Restrictions

Approx 0.3nm W of Puerto Mejillones de Sur Light, a submarine pipeline extends 900m N from the shoreline.

Close to the shore, on the W side of the harbour, there are commercial shellfish beds marked by a number of buoys of differing shapes and colours. None of these are shown on navigation charts.

A shoal with a depth of 4.7m is located W of the ENAEX Terminal.

A dangerous wreck lies 3.75nm N of Muelle Fiscal and Muelle Bascunan.

Michilla Marine Terminal: Manoevring of vessels is not permitted in wind speeds measuring Force 4 and above.

Tugs

Tugs are available from Antofagasta.

Michilla Marine Terminal: A tug is obligatory for mooring ships exceeding LOA 110m. Operations can only be carried out during daylight hours. On some occasions, a tug is not required for unmooring but only at the pilot or master's discretion. Ships with a bow thruster may dispense with the use of a tug, provided weather conditions, and the ship's manoeuvring capacity, allow for this.

Charts and publications

BA 3076, 4220, 4223, 4225, 4608. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

US22251. US Sailing Instructions No. 125 (West Coast of South America).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 5 days prior to arrival. Additional ETA's should then be sent on a daily basis at 0800hrs.

The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Vessels should also advise ETA to the Port Captain 24hrs prior to arrival.

Communications

Mejillones Port Captain: VHF: Ch 16, 14 and 9. Callsign: "CBA22"

(RT Frequency 2182 kHz and 2738 kHz.). Tel/Fax: +56 55 6211513. Email: [email protected].

VTS: VHF Ch: 14, 16, 68. Tel: +56 55 621513. Fax: +56 55 623279. Email: [email protected].

Notes:

1. VHF Ch 16 should be monitored at all times.

2. VHF Ch 14 is used for coordination with VTS Mejillones upon entering the VTS operational area after initial contact through VHF Ch 16.

3. VHF Ch 68 is used exclusively for piloting manoeuvres.

Mejillones Terminal: Tel: +56 55 621140. Email: [email protected] (operates 24hrs).

Enaex Terminal: Tel: +56 55 621511, +56 55 621831. Email: [email protected] (operates daytime only).

Interacid Terminal: Tel: +56 55 621792, Fax: +56 55 621960. Email: [email protected] (operates 24hrs).

Michilla Marine Terminal: Tel: +56 55 637617. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] (operates daytime only).

Puerto Angamos: Tel: +56 55 357070, +56 55 357084, Fax: +56 55 357014. Email: [email protected], [email protected]. Website: http://www.puertoangamos.cl (operates 24hrs).

Standard messages

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Note: SY = Sanitary (Health) authorities, AG = Agriculture department, IM = Immigration, PC = Port Captain, CU = Customs.

The port captain will also wish to see the vessel's certificates and immigration officer will want to see all passports.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine must be authorised.

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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Engine repairs are possible.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available

Medical

There is a hospital at Mejillones.

Michilla Marine Terminal has a first aid post.

Transport

Nearest airport: Antofagasta, 60km. Michilla Marine Terminal has a small airstip, 700m in length.

Nearest railway: Antofagasta, approximately 60km S.

Working hours

Mejillones and Interacid Terminals work throughout 24 hours.

Enaex and Michilla Terminals work daytime hours only.

Where it is

Mejillones is on the S side of Bahia Mejillones del Sur, E of Punta Angamos and 40nm N of Antofagasta.

The port

Bahia Mejillones del Sur is said to be one of the best natural harbours on the West coast of South America. The port area is spread out along the bay shoreline and includes a passenger landing jetty, a fish terminal and fishing vessel berths. There are three terminal areas handling coal, chemical products, ammonia and explosives and a new LNG terminal (FLNG tanker).

Sociedad GNL Mejillones S.A. (GNLM) operates the liquefied natural gas regasification terminal that supplies the mining and energy sector in the north of Chile. The company’s terminal engages in the regasification of liquefied natural gas.

GNLM are now exporting natural gas from the Mejillones LNG terminal to Argentina through the NorAndino pipeline.

Additionally, to the NE, Puerto Angamos has four privately owned berths, mainly handling copper and containers, and Caleta Michilla has a small privately owned terminal for the discharge of sulphuric acid.

A national project is presently in place for establishing and maintaining balanced sources of power generation throughout the area, using coal, natural gas, solar, diesel and hydro generated electricity. In November 2017 E-CL announced successful completion of the 600km-long transmission line between Mejillones (Antofagasta region) and Cardones (Atacama region), allowing Chile's two major power grids (northern Chile's SING grid and central Chile's SIC grid) to interconnect.

New power stations have been, or are being, built along bay, with some project facilities temporarily affecting the shoreline and navigation offshore. The new Kelar Power Plant, to the North of the port area, transmits electricity to BHP copper mines, using LNG imported from the USA via the Mejillones LNG Terminal. Engie Energia Chile (GDF Suez) are building a second steam turbine power plant powered by coal.

Traffic

Approx 6,100,000t of cargo and 1,200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Mejillones?

The pilot boards at Mejillones Zona de Espera de Prácticos ZEP 1 (282° × 1,6 M from Interacid terminal head), 23°04.0′S 070°25.5′W. Mejillones has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Mejillones in?

Local time at Mejillones is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Mejillones?

The deepest berth listed is at Terminal de Graneles Norte (TGN): 14.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Mejillones?

1025.

Which load line zone is Mejillones in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Mejillones?

Port State Control at Mejillones: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Mejillones?

The UN/LOCODE of Mejillones is CLMJS.

What crews who called at Mejillones 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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