PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Philipsburg
Pilot
updated May 2017Compulsory for Groots Bay, including cruise liner piers, and available 24 hours a day. Pilotage is performed by Government pilots. Requests for pilots should be made 24 hours in advance of vessels arrival.
Ships bound for the pier at Philipsburg should await the pilot at a max distance of 1nm from the line Point Blanche and Fort Amsterdam. The Pilot boards in position 18°00.38'N 063°04.15'W for vessels proceeding to Philipsburg or Cole Bay.
Pilotage is optional for the Shell Texaco Oil Terminals in Cole Bay, although it is recommended for a vessel's first visit and available from Groots Bay, daylight berthing only.
Key data
updated Mar 2022Size limits
LOA 362.12m, beam 47.0m, draught 10.0m, 20,236DWT
Load line zone
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.30m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr AC Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility (incorporating John Craane Cruise Terminal) | 10.00 m | 362 m | 7 |
| Cole Bay (Kool Bai) Terminal | — | 127 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 2017Approach
It is recommended that vessels should not enter into the bay beyond the bearing of 270° on the W entrance point.
The approach to the deepest berth on A.C. Wathey Pier has charted depths of more than 10.0m.
Tugs
A tug is available.
Charts and publications
BA 583, 2079. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).
US 25608, 25613. US Sailing Directions 147 (Caribbean Sea).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA is required 24 hours in advance.
Notices and regulations
Visual storm warning signals are only displayed during the day.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority, Port Security:
Address: Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications,
Government Administration Building,
Clem la Bega Square,
Sint Maarten.
Tel: +1 721 542 2233.
Port services
updated Jul 2017Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Small hospital in Philipsburg.
Transport
Island Airport: International and inter-island flights.
About Philipsburg
updated Mar 2022Where it is
Philipsburg is situated in Groot Bay, in the SE area of the Dutch section of the island of St Maarten (St Martin).
The port
The major port area of Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch part of the island of St Maarten (St Martin), consists of two Cruise Piers, providing up to six berths. A Tender Jetty is located close North of these Cruise Piers. This Terminal area also includes a cargo quay for breakbulk with Ro-Ro facilities at the North and South ends.
Philipsburg is also served by the Cole Bay (Kool Baai) Tanker Terminal consisting of two Open Bay Transfer Moorings, and storage tanks onshore, approx 2nm West of Great Bay (Groot Bay)
Traffic
Approx 2,000,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Philipsburg
What are the pilot arrangements at Philipsburg?
Compulsory for Groots Bay, including cruise liner piers, and available 24 hours a day.
What time zone is Philipsburg in?
Local time at Philipsburg is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Philipsburg?
The deepest berth listed is at Dr AC Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility (incorporating John Craane Cruise Terminal): 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Philipsburg in?
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Philipsburg?
The UN/LOCODE of Philipsburg is SXPHI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Philipsburg 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.