Panama City

1. Panama City Pilot boards30°04.9′N 085°46.6′W

Size limits

Largest vessel handled: "Christoffer Oldendorff" LOA 227.6m, draught 9.7m, 37,959GT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.5m.

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

Approach

Port Panama City is situated on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which bisects St. Andrew Bay. The Port has easy access to the Gulf of Mexico by means of an 12km to 14km (8 to 9 miles) channel that runs from St. Andrew Pass (known as the West Pass) to the Port. The channel and berthing areas have been deepened to 10.9m (36ft).

The port should be approached within the charted safety fairway. The harbour is entered by a marked and dredged channel cut through a narrow opening (known as the entrance cut or St Andrew Bay Entrance) between Shell Island and the mainland.

All larger vessels are requested to check latest depths with the Port Authority (or via their Agent) as the area is subject to shoaling and stated depths may not be correct. The area is subject strong currents and one way traffic for larger vessels is recommended through the entrance cut.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The above reporting guidelines are the minimum recommended and additional calls may be prudent under existing circumstances.

Anchorages

Outer fairway anchorage limits are in position 29°53.0'N 085°43.0'W, in depths of 24m to 26m about 14nm S of the harbour entrance, adjacent to the safety fairway.

Restrictions

Submarine Cables: Cross the Entrance Channel in position 30°07.0'N 085°43.0'W and cross the harbour NE of Redfish Point in position 30°08.0'N 085°40.0'W.

Danger Zones: There are small arms firing ranges SE of the Entrance to St Andrew Bay. Vessels are requested to contact Agent or Port Authority as to timings for these areas.

Tugs

Available. Requests should be made via Agent or by telephone.

Charts and publications

BA 3148, 3852. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

US Charts 11390, 11391, 11389. US Coast Pilot 5.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

ETA updates should be advised 3hrs beforehand for vessels arriving at the Pilot Boarding position or at anchor within St. Andrew Bay and vessels departing from Naval Support activities. Vessels should send ETA to Port Authority 24hrs in advance via Mobile Marine Operator or their Agent.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Quarantine officials board vessels for inspection when alongside the wharves.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

The Panama City Port Authority is preparing to extend the East Terminal berth as part of the next phase of their East Terminal Turning Base & Expansion project. Officials are enthusiastic about the planned extension, which will allow the terminal to accommodate larger vessels that regularly visit the port. This expansion is a key element of the Port Authority's fiscal planning for 2025.

The extension will add 1,500 feet of berthing space, enabling two vessels to maneuver simultaneously. According to King, this upgrade is essential to meet modern shipping demands and will bring new opportunities to the port. Although construction is not expected to begin until 2027 at the earliest, the port is currently working to secure grants for the project. Additionally, an environmental impact study must be completed before any construction can take place.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available from Midstream Fuel Supplies.

Medical

Gulf Coast Hospital, 5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Panama City/Bay County.

Airport facilities: Served by ASA/Delta Connection and Northwest Airlines.

Nearest railway: Alongside (Atlanta and St Andrews Bay Railroad).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours; no work performed on holidays.

Where it is

The port of Panama City, Florida, is situated 448km E of New Orleans on St Andrews Bay. The Intra-coastal canal between Apalachicola Bay and Pensacola, runs through Panama City and along the coast.

The port

This is a modern deepwater port with 1,250m of deepwater bulkhead. There is an Intermodal Distribution Center approx 16km to the NE.

Traffic

Approx 1,950,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Panama City?

The pilot boards at Panama City, 30°04.9′N 085°46.6′W.

What time zone is Panama City in?

Local time at Panama City is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Panama City?

1025.

Which load line zone is Panama City in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Panama City?

Port State Control at Panama City: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Panama City?

The UN/LOCODE of Panama City is USPFN.

What crews who called at Panama City 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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