PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Pichilingue
Pilot
updated May 2010- Bahia de Pichilingue pilot boarding place Pilot boards24°15.2′N 110°20.0′W
Compulsory vessels over 500GT. The pilot boards from a small wooden boat in the vicinity of the Fairway Buoy (24°15'N 110°20'W).
Key data
updated Sep 2024Size limits
Harbour: LOA 323.59m, beam 37.5m, draught 10.25m, 50,275DWT.
Offshore: LOA 75.74m, draught 8m, 3,092DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
Tides
Variable.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Terminal | 9.15 m | 324 m | 3 |
| Ro-Ro Terminal | 6.50 m | 183 m | 6 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Sep 2024Approach
The bay is approached between the S extremity of Isla San Juan Nepomuceno and Punta Colorado (0.75nm SSE) and entered between that extremity of the island and a point on the mainland 0.3nm E. When entering, care should be taken to avoid the tail of the shore bank which extends about 0.35nm SW from the island; a shoal depth 7.3m lies 0.35nm S of the S extremity of the island.
A lighbuoy marks the extent of the 5m depth contour on the W side of the entrance, and the channel to the finishing harbour at the head of the bay is marked by lightbuoys.The channel distance is 1nm, with 6 flashing buoys, 3 red and 3 white, with a depth of 11.0m.
Caution: The channel is reported to be difficult when winds exceed 20kts, especially when from NE or E.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available at the waiting area, 1nm W of the white buoy of south Point of San Juan Nepomuseno Peninsula or in the vicinity of Punta Prieta, in depths of 12.0-18.0m. Anchorage N of El Mogote is exposed.
Charts and publications
BA 1017, 4802. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo 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: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.
Position: Director General for Merchant Navy
Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.
Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.
Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Sep 2024Repairs
Available
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at the berths.
Bunkering: Available at the berths.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Hospital De Las Monjas (12km).
Transport
Nearest airport: La Paz International Airport (23km).
About Pichilingue
updated Sep 2024Where it is
Pichilingue Port is situated in La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The port is located along the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula, facing the Gulf of California.
The port
Pichilingue Port, a deep-sea and coastal facility, accommodates vessels transporting general cargo, bulk cement and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is notable for serving ferry routes that connect La Paz with Mazatlán and Topolobampo in Sinaloa, acting as the primary transportation link between Baja California Sur and mainland Mexico for both cargo and passengers. The port also welcomes large cruise ships, with passengers frequently visiting tourist attractions in La Paz.
Traffic
Approx 2,700,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Pichilingue
Where does the pilot board at Pichilingue?
The pilot boards at Bahia de Pichilingue pilot boarding place, 24°15.2′N 110°20.0′W.
What time zone is Pichilingue in?
Local time at Pichilingue is UTC−7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Pichilingue?
The deepest berth listed is at Commercial Terminal: 9.15 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Pichilingue?
1025.
Which load line zone is Pichilingue in?
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.
Who carries out Port State Control at Pichilingue?
Port State Control at Pichilingue: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Pichilingue?
The UN/LOCODE of Pichilingue is MXPIC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Pichilingue 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.