PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Melilla
Pilot
updated May 2016Compulsory for vessels over 50GT and available 24 hours a day. The pilot requires 1 hour advance notice and boards near the harbour entrance.
A vessel requiring a pilot should hoist the customary signal by day and at night should exhibit a white flashing light. In addition 4 long blasts followed by 4 short blasts may be sounded on the whistle or siren.
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
LOA 141.6m, 23.2m Beam, 13,125DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.4m (springs), 0.2 (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordestse Terminal | — | 142 m | 6 |
| Ribera Terminal | — | — | 4 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2016Approach
Depth in entrance channel 12.5m LLW.
Anchorages
Large vessels can anchor, in depths of 25.0-40m, mud and sand, good holding ground, in a rectangular area centred 0.8 mile E of the harbour entrance, but this roadstead is
exposed to NE and E winds. Vessels carrying dangerous goods may anchor in a circular area centred 1.2nm NE of the head of the N breakwater.
Tugs
One tug, "Paula S", 2,200hp, available.
Charts and publications
BA 580, 2437. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
At least 24 hours notice to be given prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16.
Port Authority: Tel: +34 952 673600. Fax: +34 952 674838. Email: [email protected].
Pilots: Ch 16, 12, 14. Tel: +34 952 681650. Fax: +34 952 686101. Email: [email protected].
Documents
Crew List, Cargo Manifest, Health Declaration.
Health
According to the EU regulations.
Inspections
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: Puertos del Estado (Ministerio de Fomento)
Title: Coordinador de Proteccion Portuaria
Address: Av de la Marina, 3, 15001, A Coruna, Spain
Tel: +34 98 121 9618
Fax: +34 98 121 9607
Mob: +34 630 957875
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Minor repairs available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Hospital in the town centre.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Melilla Airport (1km), Tahuima Airport (17km). Nearest international airport at Oujada (140km).
Working hours
Mon to Fri 0800-1500hrs and Sat 0800-1300hrs. Overtime available on request.
About Melilla
updated Apr 2020Where it is
Melilla is a port under Spanish jurisdiction on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, close to Port Nador.
The port
The port itself is sheltered with an entrance over 600m wide, which it shares with Port Nador (see separate entry), and good holding ground is available to the E. The port handles container, Ro-Ro passenger and liquid petroleum vessels.
Cargo handled: Major exports: fruits, vegetables, tobacco, coffee and machinery.
Major imports: Fuel oil, wheat, iron, steel products, chemical products, cement and clinker, construction materials, grains, fruits, vegetables, wine, beverages, canned products, tobacco, coffee, oil, lubricants, frozen fish, fodder, paper paste, machinery, mineral products and car parts.
Traffic
Approx 850,000t of cargo, 18,000TEU, 1,600 vessels and 840,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Melilla
What are the pilot arrangements at Melilla?
Compulsory for vessels over 50GT and available 24 hours a day.
What time zone is Melilla in?
Local time at Melilla is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Melilla?
1025.
Which load line zone is Melilla in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Melilla?
Port State Control at Melilla: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Melilla?
The UN/LOCODE of Melilla is ESMLN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Melilla 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.