PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Paulsboro
Pilot
updated Dec 2011Compulsory.
Compulsory and available 24 hours. Pilots operate on VHF Ch 14, 16 and 13. Vessels should send request for pilot, including ETA and draught, at least 8 hours in advance then confirm at least 2 hours before ETA. LNG and LPG vessels are required to give at least 96 hours notice with confirmation 12 hours in advance. Message should include:
1. ETA at Delaware Memorial Bridge
2. Intended length of stay and ETD
3. Changes to itinerary
In-bound vessels should contact pilots on arrival at Delaware lightbuoy D (38°27.30'N 074°41.80'W) or Five Fathoms lightbuoy F (38°47.20'N 074°34.60'W).
Key data
updated Sep 2026Size limits
LOA 277.36m, draught 12.40m, beam 50.0m, 167,282DWT
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 1.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paulsboro Marine Terminal | 12.40 m | 265 m | 5 |
| Paulsboro Refinery (PBF Energy) | 12.20 m | 277 m | 2 |
| Sunoco Fort Mifflin Terminal | — | 277 m | 3 |
| Sunoco Eagle Point | 12.10 m | 274 m | 3 |
| Repauno Terminal | 12.00 m | 230 m | 1 |
| Plains All American, LP (PAALP) Terminal | 11.50 m | 229 m | 1 |
| Blueknight Energy (SemGroup) Terminal | 8.40 m | 180 m | 1 |
| Axeon Refinery and Terminal (Paulsboro) | 8.20 m | 256 m | 2 |
| Sunoco Logistics (SXL) Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2016Approach
Delaware River has a channel depth of 12.1m to Fairless, PA and 9.0m to Morrisville, NJ.
Traffic schemes and VTS
There is a Traffic Separation Scheme in place in the approaches to Delaware Bay. This comprises two one-way lanes: The East TSS approach and the SE TSS approach and a two-way route.
Both areas are monitored 24 hours.
Vessel Reporting System (VRS)
Participation:
The following vessels are asked to participate in the Delaware River and Bay VRS:
(a) All powered vessels of LOA 40m or more
(b) All vessels of LOA 8m or more whilst towing
(c) All vessels certified to carry 50 passengers or more for hire, whilst working, except when doing so on a published schedule
(d) All dredgers or floating plant employed in the vicinity of the main channels or anchorages if likely to affect the navigation of other vessels. Unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant being under the control of a dredger
Procedure:
Participating vessels within the VRS area should monitor VHF Ch 14 at all times and respond promptly when hailed
Vessels operating in the vicinity of the main channels or sea lanes within the VRS area, but not participating in the VRS, are asked to:
(a) Monitor VHF Ch 13 and respond promptly when called
(b) Contact Delaware Maritime Exchange when required, to obtain details of large vessels operating within the area
(c) Not impede the navigation of large vessels using the sea lanes, channels and anchorages
Reporting:
VRS participants are required to report the following information to Delaware Maritime Exchange:
1. Sailing plan (check in) to be submitted before entering or getting under way within the VRS and should include:
(a) Vessel's name
(b) Location
(c) Destination, including any intended additional callings and and/or anchorages
(d) Tow configuration (number of laden/unladen barges)
(e) Nature of cargo
2. Sailing Plan Deviation to be submitted in the event of any change to intended destination.
3. Position report including name of vessel and position when passing the following Reporting Points:
(a) Off Harbor or Refuge Lt station (in-bound only)
(b) Marcus Hook Range
(c) Mifflin Range
(d) Any other location which may be directed by Delaware Maritime Exchange
(4) Final report (check out)
Check in and check out points:
Delaware Maritime Exchange area:
(a) Brown Shoal Lt Bn (38°55.35'N 75°06.05'W) when passing from Pilot Traffic Tower to Delaware Maritime Exchange systems
(b) Biddle Point (39°33.26'N 75°37.06'W) navigating Eastbound on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
(c) Reedy Point (39°33.65'N 75°33.89'W) navigating Westbound at the entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Pilot Traffic Tower area:
(a) Inbound at McCrie Shoal Gong Lt Buoy 2MS (38°50.60'N 74°50.28'W)
(b) Inbound on entering the Five Fathom sea lane
(c) Inbound on entering the Delaware sea lane
Anchorage Intentions and Reports:
All vessels intending to anchor anywhere within the Delaware Bay or River are required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange prior to arrival at the intended anchorage, including the anchorage position, ETA and reason for anchoring.
Vessels are further required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange of any changes to anchorage intentions, including changes to ETA.
Vessels reporting anchorage intentions will be notified by Delaware Maritime Exchange of:
(a) Any other vessels in the anchorages along with their ETD
(b) Any other vessels en-route the anchorage
(c) Current limitations affecting the intended anchorage
(d) Any other potential conflicts with the intention to anchor
All vessels anchored with in the Delaware Bay and River area are required to:
(a) Continuously monitor VHF Ch 14 and 16
(b) Report to Delaware Maritime Exchange, any change to vessel's intended ETD from the anchorage
(c) Ensure that the vessel's AIS transponder is switched on, fully operational and transmitting correctly while underway and at anchor.
Vessels leaving an anchorage are required to submit a Sailing Plan to Delaware Maritime Exchange
Final Report:
Participants are required to submit a report with name of vessel and position as follows:
(a) On arriving at destination within the VRS
(b) On departing from the VRS area
All communications must be made in English.
Anchorages
There are federally designated anchorages available.
Restrictions
North Atlantic right whales: From1st November to 30th April a Seasonal Management Area is established at the entrance to Delaware Bay. A maximum speed restriction of 10kts is imposed in this vicinity during this period to reduce the danger of ship strikes on North Atlantic right whales.
New road bridge, Mantua Channel: Crossing at a point 1.0nm from the entrance to the Creek and linking Paradise Road to West Deptford, this bridge is part of the infrastructure being built for the new Paulsboro Marine Terminal. Access for barge traffic to wharf areas further down the Creek.
Charts and publications
BA 2603, 2604; NOAA 12312, 12313. Admiralty Pilot NP69. US Coast Pilot Vol 3.
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2011ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16 and 14.
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: The federal quarantine station for Delaware River ports, is situated at Marcus Hook (39°49.0'N 075°25.0'W). Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of United States Health Service. Unless otherwise directed, vessels subject to inspection by quarantine, customs, immigrations and agricultural quarantine officials, are normally boarded by the relevant officials on arrival at their berths.
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.
Inspections
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.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: All grades available; supplied by most US oil companies.
Medical
Four hospitals all within 5km of the port.
Transport
Nearest airport: Philadelphia International Airport, 8km.
Airport facilities: Over 35 airlines serve the Philadelphia area with passenger and air cargo services.
Nearest railway: Conrail, CSXT and Canadian Pacific links port to the rest of US.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Paulsboro
updated Nov 2020Where it is
Paulsboro, New Jersey, is located close to Bramell Point, 1.25nm E of Crab Point (39°51'N 075°13'W).
The port
Paulsboro is one of the "Ports of Philadelphia" within the Delaware River Port Area. The area is centred in an area of heavy population providing a large consumer market. The port mainly handles liquid cargo, breakbulk and dry bulk.
Traffic
Approx 16,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Paulsboro
What are the pilot arrangements at Paulsboro?
Compulsory.
What time zone is Paulsboro in?
Local time at Paulsboro is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Paulsboro?
The deepest berth listed is at Paulsboro Marine Terminal: 12.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Paulsboro?
1000.
Which load line zone is Paulsboro in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Paulsboro?
Port State Control at Paulsboro: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Paulsboro?
The UN/LOCODE of Paulsboro is USPAU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Paulsboro 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.