Patras

1. Patrai (Patras) pilot boarding Pilot boards38°13.5′N 021°42.1′E

Size limits

LOA 261.22m, beam 34.00m, draught 9.5m and 61,456DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.3m, MHWS 0.5m.

During strong NE'ly winds, a current may occasionally set strongly to windward off the port. The tidal current usually sets SW on the ebb and NE on the flood and does not exceed 0.5kts.

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

Approach

North Port Northern entrance: The N entrance affords the deepest, with depth approx 11.0m, and widest access to Limin Patron. From Patraikos Kolpos leads S between the N end of the breakwater, on which a light is exhibited, and a lightbuoy (port hand), moored approx 225m E to mark the limit of shoals extending from the shore. Lights are exhibited from the S entrance of the boat and caique harbour (0.25nm NE of N end of the breakwater).

North Port Southern entrance: The S entrance, depth approx 7.0m, leads NE from Patraikos Kolpos passing between Provlis Ayios Andreou with a mole at its extremity and a lightbuoy (port hand) moored approx 0.1nm NW marking the SW extremity of a 132m long extension to the SW end of the breakwater. Depths of less than 5.0m lie within 60m of the mole. A light (white metal column green band) is exhibited from the NE head of the mole. Then proceed NW of Provlis Gounari, where a light is exhibited from the SW corner of the pier.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained in the roadstead in the approaches to the harbour, depths from 22.0-29.0m, mud and sand.

Prohibited anchorage: Vessels are prohibited from anchoring NW of a line, extending WSW from the shore approx 0.3nm ENE of the N head of the breakwater, due to submarine cables, and in the vicinity of a submarine cable laid NNW from the shore close W of Ayios Andreas Church.

Restrictions

Night pilotage is restricted to emergencies only. Seaplane activities will operate in close proximity of the port and as a result, caution must be taken.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels over 1,000GT, two tugs available, one with fire-fighting equipment.

Charts and publications

BA 1676, 2404. Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent to vessel's agent on departure from last port. Additional ETA's to be sent 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival to the vessel's agent. One hour prior to arrival, port authorities, pilot and agents should be contacted by VHF giving exact time of arrival.

Vessels without agents should advise ETA via Patras VTS on VHF Ch 13, or on arrival outside Patras Harbour on Ch 12.

The ETA message should include: Vessel's particulars, cargo information, dangerous cargo (if any onboard, with details), health condition and stowaway details (if any).

Communications

Olympia Radio ("SVA") receives distress or urgent messages and public communication (working channel). Watch frequencies VHF/FM, 2182kHz and HF/DSC as follows:

MF 2187.5kHz.

HF 4207.5kHz, 6312kHz, 8414.5kHz, 12577kHz, 16804.5kHz.

Heraklio, Limnos and Corfu Radio for general watch calling frequencies.

The stations work throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

Patras Harbour Master contact info

VHF: Ch 12, 18

Telephone: +30 261 3615400 / +30 261 3615401

Email: [email protected]

Patras Port Authority contact info

Telephone: +30 261 0365135

Facsimile: +30 261 0365134

Telex: + 601-312184 LIPA GR

Email: [email protected]

Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 12

Telephone: +30 261 0324601

Facsimile: +30 261 0324601

Email: [email protected]

VTS contact info

Call Sign: Patra Traffic

VHF: 13, 14

Telephone: +30 261 0341330

Facsimile: +30 261 0342920

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

Can be tendered anytime but will only be accepted between 0800-1700hrs.

Documents

Special forms exist for all documents but apply only to liner vessels. These are delivered onboard on arrival.

Health

Pratique should be applied for on arrival and cannot be applied for by radio.

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Each officer and crew member is allowed 1 bottle of spirits and 1 carton of cigarettes each.

Immigration: Immigration authorities issue crew passes. For EU nationals there are no Immigration procedures. There are special regulations for nationals of countries such as Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia and South American countries.

Crew being repatriated to non European countries must have a ticket which the agent must show to the authorities, agent's guarantees are requested by various authorities.

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: Ministry of Merchant Marine.

Address: 1 K. Paleologou Street, 185 35 Piraeus, Greece.

Tel: +30 210 419 1911/43.

Fax: +30 210 419 1901.

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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

Repairs

Available for minor repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available throughout the port.

Bunkering: Available at selected berths by tankers.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Aghios Andreas Hospital of Patras (2.1km) and General University Hospital (7.25km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Araxos Airport (30km). Inspections were completed in 2023 for a seaplane base in the port of Patras. The base will operate flights to the Ionian and Saronic Islands and to further Peloponnesian destination.

Nearest railway: Patras railway station located in the city centre.

Nearest highway: The port has access to European Route E55. The E55 travels 3,305km N to S from Helsingborg, Sweden in the N to Kalamata, Greece in the S.

Nearest public transport: The port offers free transportation of passengers by two OLPA buses from the passenger docking station.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs/1330-1730hrs (Oct 16-Apr 15), 0800-1200hrs/1400-1800hrs (Apr 16-Oct 15).

Where it is

Patras is situated on the northern shore of Peloponnesus, on the Greek mainland.

The port

Patras, located on the NW coast of the Peloponnese, is primarily a marine transportation port for routes to Italy and the rest of Europe. Port facilities stretch along the NW coastline with the most N'ly used as a marine transportation service across the Gulf of Corinth to Andirrion, as well as a closely located cement facility. Located approx 4nm SW is the Old North Port used to service a range of cargoes including liquid, general cargo, reefer, dry cargo, fishing and passengers. The Old North Port is made up of three basins and is accessible via two entrances N and S of the 18,500m outer breakwater. Depths inside the three basins range between 8.5m and 11.0m and is made up of approx 2,200m quayside. A recently developed South Port is located approx 2nm SSW and is primarily used to handle freight and passengers.

Principal exports include raisins, wine, grapes and citrus fruit. Principal imports include, groceries, iron and textiles.

Traffic

Approx 8,000TEU, 2,500 vessels and 500,000 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Patras?

The pilot boards at Patrai (Patras) pilot boarding, 38°13.5′N 021°42.1′E.

What time zone is Patras in?

Local time at Patras is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Patras?

The deepest berth listed is at North Berths: 9.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Patras?

1025.

Which load line zone is Patras in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Patras?

Port State Control at Patras: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Patras?

The UN/LOCODE of Patras is GRGPA.

What crews who called at Patras 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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