Ploce

1. Kardeljevo (Ploce) boarding — General Pilot boards43°01.8′N 017°21.9′E
2. Kardeljevo (Ploce) boarding — N approach Peljesac Bridge Pilot boards42°56.1′N 017°32.8′E
3. Kardeljevo (Ploce) boarding — W approach Peljesac Bridge Pilot boards42°56.4′N 017°31.0′E
4. Kardeljevo (Ploce) boarding — dangerous goods Pilot boards43°05.2′N 016°59.7′E

Size limits

LOA 229.93m, beam 38m, draught 18m, 180,000DWT.

Water density

1015-1027.

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

When approaching from the NW one of the summits on Octocic Osinj, 3nm SE of Rt Visnjica, may be used as an ahead mark until 1nm SSW of Rt Visnjica. Care is necessary to avoid over-running the dangers extending SW from the mouth of Rijeka Neretva, approx 1.5nm SSE of Rt Visnjica.

The port is entered through a dredged channel marked by lights and lightbuoys, IALA System A, which leads NNE between the high Visnjica peninsula on the W side and the low broken shoal coast of the mouth of the Neretva River.

Kanal Vlaska is a dredged channel entered approx 0.7nm SSE of Rt Visnjica, leading NE to a single berth oil terminal on the NW side of the channel.

The following rules apply when approaching from W or NW; vessels are required to pass at least 1nm clear of Rt Visnjica Light structure until on the bearing of the axis of the entrance channel. When leaving the entrance channel bound W or NW, vessels are required to round Rt Visnjica at a distance of 0.5nm to avoid incoming traffic.

Vessels are prohibited from passing each other in the entrance channel, the following sound signals are required:

One long blast by vessels entering the channel when abeam of the S lightbuoy marking the channel and one long blast by vessels leaving the channel between the light structure on Rt Gornji Visnjica and Otocic Gubavac, approx 0.15nm N.

Vessels leaving the channel take precedence over vessels entering.

A speed limit of 6kts exists N of the head of Gat Oslobodenja.

The following rules apply for Kanal Vlaska to a single berth oil terminal:

Navigation is permitted in daylight only and with 2 tugs in attendance, vessels normally berth starboard side to, max draught 10.5m, max beam 27m.

From a position approx 1nm SSW of Rt Visnjica the track into the harbour leads NNE passing WNW of a lightbuoy (safe water), 0.8nm S of Rt Visnjica, moored near the SW extremity of Plicina Gumanac in the vicinity of the entrance to Kanal Vlaska and then through the dredged approach channel marked by lightbuoys, (starboard hand), which have been known to shift in heavy weather and passing (positioned from Rt Visnjica Light (43°03.4'N 017°25.3'E):

ESE of Rt Visnjica, then:

ESE of the extremity of Rt Gornji Visnjica (0.175nm NE) on which stands a light, (red round metal tower, 5m in height) and where the fairway is approx 150m wide, then:

ESE of Otocic Gubavac (0.3nm NNE), then:

ESE of Rt Bad (0.5nm NNE) from which a light is exhibited, and: WNW of the head of Gat Oslobodenja, (0.55nm NE) noting that a light, (green round metal column, 5m in height) which is exhibited from the NW head of the quay is obscured 285° to 045° (120°). Abeam of Gat Oslododjenja, the fairway is approx 80m wide.

Large vessels are advised to remain in mid channel in the fairway and to proceed at a recommended speed of 5kts, noting that the currents are strong, depths are relatively shallow and that Scirocco and SW winds add to difficulties in steering.

The current is mainly outgoing, caused by the overflow of Bacinsko Jezero (Bacina Lakes), approx 0.5nm N of N end of the harbour.

The rate is dependent on the strength of the overflow and may reach 2kts. During a Bora, the current in the entrance channel attains a rate of 3kts. Sometimes in the summer during a Scirocco and NW winds, the current sets inward through the entrance, but is of short duration.

Port limits

The position of the ports seaward boundaries at which an approaching vessel is considered "arrived" are the boundaries of the port anchorage, (see anchorage information).

Anchorages

Vessels waiting to enter the port may anchor in Neretvanski Kanal (Neretva Channel), in depths of 30-35m, good holding ground.

Restrictions

Navigation is permitted in the Vlaska Channel in daylight only.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Gat Oslobodenja: In a Bora or NW winds, vessels at the N side of Gat Oslobodenja are advised to berth bows W with the aid of an anchor. This will also assist unberthing which is difficult in similar winds and an outgoing current. Vessels may be required to berth stern to with two anchors laid N. All details are available from Port Control Ch 09 or Tel: +385 20 60317.

Mooring and unmooring of tankers carrying fuel/chemical is during daylight hours only. Oil spill booms are compulsory.

Charts and publications

BA 196, 269, 1574. Croatian (DHI) charts 102, Int 3412, 3414, 154, 100-25, 100-26, 100-27, 63. Admiralty List of Lights and Fog Signals Vol E, Admiralty Pilot NP47, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

For tankers, ETA is to be sent 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. All other vessels are to send an ETA 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Advanced cargo specification, for vessels carrying dangerous and/or noxious cargo, is to be advised 48 hours prior to arrival.

The ETA message should be updated 6 hours prior to arrival, the following information is required: Name of vessel, flag, port of registry, callsign, IMO number, LOA, beam, arrival draught, main engine power (KW).

All required information should first be sent to Port Control on VHF Ch 09 or Tel: +385 20 603400, Fax: +385 20 670271.

Communications

Radio: Coast radio stations: Split Radio "9AS", 2182kHz and 2574kHz, 518kHz (Navtex); Dubrovnik Radio "9AD", 2182kHz and 2615kHz.

VHF: Split Radio, Ch 16, Dubrovnik Radio, Ch 16.

Pilot Station: Ch 16, 12, range approx 12nm.

Tugs: Ch 16, 14.

Harbour Master's Office: Ch 16, 10, range 12nm.

Port Control: Ch 09.

Notice of readiness

NOR is to be tendered between 0800hrs and 1700hrs Mon-Sat.

Health

Free pratique to be requested on arrival only.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate renewal is possible.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Each crew member is allowed 200 cigarettes and a 1 litre bottle of spirit. Penalty for non compliance is confiscation.

Immigration: No special restrictions.

Flags

If a vessel does not have a Croatian flag onboard the pilot will bring the flag onboard with him if it has been ordered in advance.

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 the Sea, Transport and Development.

Position: Assistant Minister

Address: 1000 Zagreb, Prisavlje 14, Croatia.

Tel: +385 1 616 9250.

Fax: +385 1 619 9069.

Mob: +385 989 835032

Email: [email protected]

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

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI):

Croatia has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Croatia flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.

Repairs

There are only small repair facilities available. Tel: +385 20 671041.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water is delivered to vessels at wharves by pipeline, hoses can be supplied by the port.

Bunkering: Gas oil only, delivered by road tankers. Advance notice is required via agent.

Stores: ISSA members available.

Medical

Available at Ploce. Major hospitals are located in Mostar, 64km; Split, 110km and Dubrovnik, 110km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Split, 110km; Dubrovnik 110km. For small aircraft, there is an airport in Ploce.

Railway: Connections located close to the port.

Working hours

Mon-Sat 0600-2200hrs.

Where it is

Ploce is a natural port located on the E coast of the Adriatic Sea at the mouth of the Neretva River and approx 70km NW of Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast. The commercial harbour lies on the E side of the inlet.

The port

The port is sheltered by the Peljesac peninsula, a natural breakwater situated to the S and SW.

Traffic

Approx 3,170,000t of cargo and 27,000TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ploce?

The pilot boards at Kardeljevo (Ploce) boarding — General, 43°01.8′N 017°21.9′E. Ploce has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Ploce in?

Local time at Ploce is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Ploce?

The deepest berth listed is at New Bulk Cargo Terminal (BCT): 18.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ploce?

1015-1027.

Which load line zone is Ploce in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ploce?

Port State Control at Ploce: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ploce?

The UN/LOCODE of Ploce is HRPLE.

What crews who called at Ploce 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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