Portimao

Size limits

LOA 215m, draught 10.0m.

Vessels drawing up to 7.6m can cross the bar at the entrance to the harbour at any state of the tide.

Water density

1026.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.6m; mean neap range 1.2m.

Tidal streams: Tidal streams follow the course of the river attaining rates of approximately 1kt on the ingoing stream and 2kts on the outgoing stream. These rates increase slightly at springs and during floods.

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

Approach

From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position, approximately 1nm S of the harbour entrance, the alignment 021° on the leading lights leads through the entrance, 250m wide, to the vicinity of No 2 Lightbuoy (port hand),0.45nm N of Molhe Oeste Light (37°06.4'N 008°31.7'W):

Ferragudo Leading Lights: Front light (white truncated column, red bands) 0.9nm NNE of Molhe Oeste Light.

Rear light (similar column, 8m in height) 87m NNE of front light.

Caution: These lights may be moved to meet changes in the channel.

From the vicinity of No 2 Lightbuoy the fairway, further marked by lightbuoys No 4 (port hand) and No 1 (starboard hand), leads N, then NNW, for approximately 0.7nm to the vicinity of Cais Comerciale de Turismo (1nm N of Molhe Oeste Light). The canal and turning basin, of 350m diameter, leading to the general cargo berth and the Turismo berth is dredged to a depth of 8.0m and a width of 200m.

Vessels proceeding further upriver should maintain a distance of 80m from the quay and round Sao Francisco, the rocky point 0.1nm NW of the head of the quay, at a distance of approximately 50m, then, above the shipyards at Sao Francisco, the W bank should be followed at a distance of approximately 40m.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained off Praia da Rocha (37°07'N 008°32'W), in depths between 14.0m and 35m, sand, in an area centred 2nm SW of the head of the W breakwater.

Facilities for disembarking passengers from large vessels anchored off Praia da Rocha are provided at a small quay at the root of Molhe Oeste. The quay is shoal and the Port Authority position a floating pontoon alongside to facilitate landing.

Inner anchorage: The inner anchorage is situated in the area, approximately 400m in diameter, close N of Molhe Leste, where vessels of up to LOA 100m, draught 7.0m, may moor in a depth of 8.0m.

Restrictions

Vessel greater than 70t may not proceed at a speed greater than 5kts

Tugs

1 small tug available. However more powerful tugs can be made available subject to 24hrs advanced notice.

Charts and publications

BA 89, 3636. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio: Capitania de Porto - 2182kHz, 2566kHz, 2615kHz.

VHF: Port: Ch 11, 14, 16. Call 'Capimarportimao', hours 0900-1200 and 1400-1700.

Notices and regulations

Regulations concerning entry: Vessels over 70t may not proceed at a speed greater than 8kts between the port entrance and Forte Sao Joao 37°07.1'N 008°31.3'W; above this position speeds must not exceed 5kts. If the manoeuvring speed of a vessel exceeds these speeds it may proceed but is not absolved from the responsibility for any danger it may cause. Fishing vessels and recreational craft shall not impede the manoeuvring of larger vessels.

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: Instituto Portuario e dos Transportes Maritimos.

Position: Chairman.

Address: Edificio Vasco da Gama, Rua General Gomes Araujo, P-1399-005, Lisbon, Portugal.

Tel: +351 21 391 4712

Mob: +351 91 971 3089

Website: http://www.imarport.pt

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

Repairs

Small repair available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Diesel fuel available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital de Sao Camilo, 3.4km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Faro Airport located at Faro, 73.4km.

Nearest railway: Portimao.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs.

Where it is

Portimao is situated on the S coast of Portugal, 12km E of Lagos.

The port

Portimao is a port of call for cruise vessels and is also used for the export of canned fish, dried fruit and wood strip.

Traffic

Approx 42 vessels and 20,141 passengers are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Portimao?

Call " Pilotosportimao" on VHF Ch 14, 16.

What time zone is Portimao in?

Local time at Portimao is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Portimao?

1026.

Which load line zone is Portimao in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Portimao?

Port State Control at Portimao: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Portimao?

The UN/LOCODE of Portimao is PTPRM.

What crews who called at Portimao 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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