Portland

Size limits

LOA 301.36m, draught 15.85m, beam 48.0m, 63,519DWT.

Water density

1025.

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 3.1m (springs); 2.2m (neaps).

Tidal streams within the harbour have a rate of about 0.5kn. Strong cross currents tend to set vessels on to the S side of Portland Bridge.

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

Approach

Vessels will report arrival at lighted Racon Buoy "P" position 43°31.6'N 070°05.5'W. Approaches to the sea buoy are made from 2 directions:

Portland Eastern Approach: The inbound traffic lane is 1.5nm in width with a length of 20nm. Entering the traffic lane a course of 287° follows the centreline. The outbound traffic lane is the same with a course of 107°.

Portland Southern Approach: The inbound traffic lane is 1.5nm in width and approx 20nm in length, a course of 342° follows the centreline. The outbound traffic lane is 1.5nm in width and 20nm in length with the centreline course of 162°.

Channels: The main entrance to the channel is from the S between Ram and Cushing to the N and of Portland Head to the S. There is a 13.7m depth channel from the sea to Fort Georges, then 10.6m depth in the inner harbour and Fore River to a turning basin at the head of the combination railroad highway bridge.

Port limits

The harbour consists of the area W of Cushing, Peaks, House, Great and Little Diamonds Islands, from the entrance to Portland Head to the entrance of Fore River at Fish Point (43°40.0'N 070°14.3'W).

Anchorages

Sheltered and secure anchorages are available at all times in the outer harbour.

Restrictions

Safety and Security Zones: These extend 1 mile ahead, 0.5nm astern and 914.4m on either side is established around any LPG vessel. Entry into or movement within these zones is prohibited unless previously authorised by the COTP. A security zone of 91.4m radius is established around any passenger vessel at anchor or alongside. A security zone extending 182.8m ahead, 91.4m on either side and 91.4m astern is established around any passenger vessel that is underway.

Casco Bay Bridge (43°38.7'N 070°15.5'W) has a bascule span with a vertical clearance of 16.8m. The bascule bridge in the harbour approach restricts the beam of vessels visiting South Portland. Vessels over 30.4m beam must obtain USCG permission to transit the bridge and vessels over LOA 114m must use escort tugs for both in- and outbound transits. Tug and barge units should transit the bridge in push ahead or alongside modes. Light tows must use the flood tide when transiting outbound. Tows with capacity of 70,000bbls or more should use an escort tug.

Portland Bridge, vertical clearance 16.8m. This bridge restricts vessels to a draught of 10.6m SW and beam 28m.

Cargo: Vessels laden with explosives or other hazardous or highly inflammable cargo will not be allowed within the berthing limits of any pier, dock or bulk-head or other terminal structure. Only after vessels have applied for and received all local, state and federal permits shall they dock at a terminal. Explosives shall not be stored on the terminal.

Prohibited Cargoes: The Department of Ports and Transportation shall determine what other cargoes shall be deemed prohibited at terminals based upon classification or type.

Tugs

Available from Portland Tugboat & Shipdocking Co., Tel: +1 207 774 2902 or Winslow Tugs, Tel: +1 207 780 8847.

Tugs meet vessels off Spring Point (43°39.0'N 070°13.5'W). All vessels requiring tugs are required to take a docking plot, available from Portland Dock Masters, Tel:207 774 2902 or Casco bay Pilots, Tel: 207 780 8847.

Towage is not mandatory, but if requested, a docking master will be required to direct the vessel's movements in berthing and unberthing operations. Tugs normally meet vessels at the "PH" harbour entrance buoy if continuing on for berthing.

Mooring

Vessel movement that involves passing through the Portland Bridge is undertaken at the pilot's discretion and only at the flood tide.

All vessels requiring tug services in berthing are required to have a Docking Master onboard.

Charts and publications

BA 2488, 2490. Admiralty Pilot NP68.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

Usually tendered upon arrival at the pilot station.

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.

Pratique granted on arrival after boarding by appropriate officials.

Customs and immigration

Vessel will be boarded, on arrival, by Customs and Immigration Officers.

Flags

US flag to be flown on entering port.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Speed Limit: Within Portland Harbour is 5kts. There are also restrictions on the wake produced by vessels in the harbour; the Port Authority should be consulted for further details.

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.

Repairs

There are several ship repair facilities in the port capable of handling a full scale of repairs, for engine, electrical, and electronics. The repair yard is situated 0.6nm SW of Fish Point, including part of State Pier.

Dry docks

Drydocks Bath Iron Works is a shipyard with an 90,000t drydock, capable of handling 304m LOA ships with a beam of 39.6m and a depth over the keel blocks of 14.3m. The drydock has two wing wall 25t cranes. A repair pier with 11.5m alongside is available for above the waterline repairs. The pier has two cranes; 25t, and 60t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Fuel: Available, at the tanker berth or by barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Two private hospitals are available within the city limits, as well as several dental/optical facilities.

Transport

Nearest airport: Portland Municipal Airport.

Nearest railway: Portland.

Working hours

The only dry cargo pier is Merrill's Terminal and it works 24 hours a day except Christmas and New Year's Day. Overtime is normally only charged for work between 1800hrs Fri to 0600hrs Mon. Enquiries should be made in advance.

Where it is

Portland is situated in the southern part of Maine and is New England's largest port.

The port

It is a large, deep, well-sheltered harbour, open all year. Controlling depth in channel and anchorage, 13.7m LW. There is ample space for manoeuvring large vessels.

The main products handled are petroleum products, paper, wood-pulp, scrap metal, coal, salt and container goods.

It is the Atlantic Terminus of pipeline shipments of petroleum products to Canada.

Traffic

Approx 12,821,501t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Portland?

Compulsory for all foreign vessels and for US vessels under register in foreign trade with a draught over 2.7m.

What time zone is Portland in?

Local time at Portland 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 Portland?

The deepest berth listed is at Portland Pipeline: 15.85 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Portland?

1025.

Which load line zone is Portland 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 Portland?

Port State Control at Portland: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Portland?

The UN/LOCODE of Portland is USPWM.

What crews who called at Portland 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.

Read and add tips for Portland →