PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Monfalcone
Pilot
updated Apr 2016- Monfalcone pilot boarding place Pilot boards45°44.0′N 013°37.5′E
Compulsory for vessels over 500GT. Pilotage is only available during daylight hours. Pilot boards 1 nm SE of fairway buoy (45°44.0'N 013°37.5'E), at the seaward end of the approach channel.
Key data
updated Sep 2020Size limits
LOA no restriction, beam 36m, draught 11.7m, 72,914DWT.
Water density
1027.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.6m (neaps); 0.9m (springs).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portorosega Wharf Terminal | — | — | 9 |
| Silos De Franceschi | 8.80 m | — | 1 |
| A2A Terminal (Thermal Power Plant) | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2020Approach
Approach to Monfalcone: The port is entered from Baia di Panzano through a marked channel.
Initial position: Close NE of a light buoy (safe water) (45°45'N 013°36'E) moored on the centre line of the entrance channel, and marking its seaward end. The dredged channel approx 2.5nm in length and 170m width lies for the greater part of its length on an axis of 315°/135° and leads between 3 pairs of light beacons (port and starboard hand) positioned at intervals of approx 0.5nm. At its inner end this section of the channel passes: NE of a detached and outer rubble breakwater, 0.17nm in length, lying parallel to the axis of the channel, and SW of a short rubble breakwater extending S from reclaimed land abreast the detached breakwater described above. The NE side of the channel in this vicinity is marked by 3 buoys (starboard hand) where shoaling has occurred, then: NE of the head of an inner rubble breakwater which is angled and extends for about 0.5nm SSE from a position near the E end of Isola dei Bagni to within approx 0.1nm of the NW end of the detached breakwater.
A short distance within the head of the inner breakwater, the axis of the channel alters direction to 338°/158° over a short section and leads into the turning basin, which has a depth of 10.5m.
The entrance canal has been dredged to a depth of 11.7m, with a min width of 166m. A dredged depth of 13.0m is underway and should be available to vessels with a draught up to 11.7m in due course.
Caution: Use of the old and unmarked entrance channel which leads NNW through the gap between the extremity of the inner breakwater and the N extremity of the detached breakwater is not advised as depths are subject to change.
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Vessels waiting to enter the port can anchor 1nm SSE of Castello di Duimo, in depths of 10.0-12.0m, but clear of the approach channel, of the areas in which navigation is prohibited, and the submarine water pipeline. The anchorage can accommodate 8 to 10 vessels, dependent on size.
The sea bed in Baia di Panzano consists of sand and mud in the centre and mud under the coast. Between Duino and Sistiana it is sand and gravel, good holding.
Restrictions
Contact port authority for new regulations of approach.
Tugs
Two tugs available, one of 1,000bhp and one of 1,500bhp. Other tugs are available on request from Trieste.
The use of tugs is optional except for vessels proceeding to A2A (ex-Banchina ENEL) terminal.
Charts and publications
BA 1493, 1461. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
All vessels intending to berth must request permission to approach at least 72 hours before ETA.
Vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods must report to the harbour master 24 hours in advance, See Country section.
Communications
Radio: Radio messages can be sent through the nearby "Radio Trieste".
VHF: Capitaneria di Porto di Monfalcone: Ch 16, 11 throughout 24 hours.
Tugs: Ch 10.
Pilot: Ch 14 (from 0600-2000hrs). Tel: +39 0481 43011.
Customs and immigration
Contact the Aeromaritime Police Office at Ronchidei Legionari Airport.
Notices and regulations
Local harbour regulations are in force, a copy of which should be obtained from the harbour authority. Regulations concerning entry include:
Maximum speed limit of 5kts in the entrance channel and harbour.
A vessel with a following current has priority over a vessel stemming the current.
Warships have priority over all merchant vessels.
Special regulations are in force for tankers and vessels used for the conveyance of dangerous goods in liquid and gaseous states. In addition they include the following:
Masters of such vessels are required to give the harbour authority 24 hours notice of arrival.
Movements in the harbour of such vessels are prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
Tankers, laden with mineral oils and their derivatives, or empty but not yet declared gas free must anchor in the outer anchorage on arrival.
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 Apr 2016Repairs
Small repairs possible. Divers available. Nearest facility for hull repair is Trieste.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from both Portorosega & De Franceschi wharves.
Bunkering: Supplied by barges from Trieste.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Monfalcone.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Trieste - Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, approx 5km. International and domestic flights.
Airport facilities: Connections to Genoa, Milan, Rome, Napoli, Turin, Budapest, Munich, Vienna and London.
Nearest railway: Monfalcone. The port area is connected by rail to Monfalcone Station.
Working hours
Two shifts from 0730-1400hrs and from 1400-1930hrs. Night work is possible at overtime rates.
About Monfalcone
updated Sep 2020Where it is
Monfalcone is located on the Adriatic coast, close to the Slovenian border, approx 30km NW of Trieste.
The port
The port, partly natural, and partly man made, has large and important industries including a large shipyard.
The port is well connected to the rest of Italy via road and rail, handles general cargo and dry bulk.
Traffic
Approx 4,100,000t of cargo, 900TEU and 600 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Monfalcone
Where does the pilot board at Monfalcone?
The pilot boards at Monfalcone pilot boarding place, 45°44.0′N 013°37.5′E.
What time zone is Monfalcone in?
Local time at Monfalcone 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 Monfalcone?
The deepest berth listed is at Silos De Franceschi: 8.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Monfalcone?
1027.
Which load line zone is Monfalcone in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Monfalcone?
Port State Control at Monfalcone: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Monfalcone?
The UN/LOCODE of Monfalcone is ITMNF.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Monfalcone 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.