PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Molfetta
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and vessels carrying dangerous cargo, available from 0800-2000hrs. Pilots board 1nm ENE of the head of Molo Foraneo.
Key data
updated Aug 2026Size limits
LOA 141m, beam 18.2m, draught 6.0m, 8,184DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.3m.
Currents: With strong N or NW winds a current which sets in an anticlockwise direction within the harbour is noticeable.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molfetta Terminal | 6.00 m | 141 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
None. Access to the port is through the head of Molo Foraneo and the NE head of Molfetta breakwater.
Traffic schemes and VTS
None.
Restrictions
Vessels over 1,500GT are only permitted to enter or leave in daylight.
Speed is restricted to 3kts within the harbour entrance.
An artificial barrier to protect fish havens and marked by buoys and lightbuoys (special), has been established off Molfetta. Entry into the buoyed area is prohibited.
Tugs
Tugs are not available at the port, but can be obtained by arrangement from Barletta.
Charts and publications
BA 186. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Should be advised to vessel's agent 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Port: Ch 16, 14. Vessels are required to contact the port office on VHF channel 16 to obtain permission to anchor.
Pilots: Ch 12.
Health
Free pratique is available on arrival by "Sandimare Bari" and also by telex.
Notices and regulations
All vessels are prohibited to move within, enter, or depart through the harbour entrance at a speed greater than 3 knots.
Special regulations are in force for vessels of 1,600GT or over carrying petroleum, gas, and other flammable cargoes within the port.
Vessels should remain clear of the heads of the moles and the breakwater. A fishing prohibited area lies cantered 5.6km NE of the harbour entrance and may best be seen on the chart. Unexploded ordnance lies on the sea bottom 11.4km NE of Molfetta.
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: Italian Coast Guard Headquarters, Legal Department.
Address: Viale dell'Arte 16, I-00146 Rome, Italy.
Tel: +39 06 590 841 87.
Fax: +39 06 596 482 93.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.guardiacostiera.gov.it
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2018Repairs
Small shipyards for medium size repairs. Vessels of up to 1,000t can be slipped.
Dry docks
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkers: Available by road tanker from private firms, by prior arrangement with agent.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Hospital Don Tonino Bello Molfetta in Molfetta, 3km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport in Bari, 24km.
Nearest railway: Bari Centrale railway station in Bari, 33km.
Working hours
Normal shift 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs; double shift 0700-1930hrs.
About Molfetta
updated Jan 2018Where it is
Molfetta is located on the E coast of Italy, 12nm N of Bari.
The port
The port is completely artificial and is bounded by a breakwater and 2 quays, Molo Foraneo facing NW and Molo Pennello facing N. The breakwater shelters the port from N'ly and NW'ly winds.
The port handles break bulk, container and dry bulk.
Questions about Molfetta
What are the pilot arrangements at Molfetta?
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT and vessels carrying dangerous cargo, available from 0800-2000hrs.
What time zone is Molfetta in?
Local time at Molfetta 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 Molfetta?
The deepest berth listed is at Molfetta Terminal: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Molfetta?
1025.
Which load line zone is Molfetta in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Molfetta?
Port State Control at Molfetta: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Molfetta?
The UN/LOCODE of Molfetta is ITMOL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Molfetta 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.