PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Puerto Princesa
Pilot
updated May 2010- Puerto Princesa boarding position 1 (inbound) Pilot boards09°43.5′N 118°43.4′E
- Puerto Princesa boarding position 2 (inbound) Pilot boards09°44.5′N 118°43.5′E
Compulsory. There are two pilots available in the port located at Sea Plant Base 1, Puerto Princesa City. Request for pilotage should be communicated to the Port Authority at least 24 hours before arrival.
There are new pilot stations for all foreign vessels situated as follows:
Pilot Station I: For vessels of 1,000GT and below: (09°44.0'N 118°43.1'E.)
Pilot Station II: For vessels over 1,000GT: (09°43.3'N 118°43.5'E.) Requests should be sent in advance by radio through the agent's office. The message should include ship's and company's names, flag type of vessel, length, draught, GRT, nature and volume of cargo for discharge and the number of landing passengers.
Key data
updated May 2021Size limits
Harbour: LOA 210.7m, beam 28.1m, draught 9.4m, 29,721DWT.
Off Shore: LOA 105.07m, draught 6.8m, 5,667DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.35m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa | 7.50 m | 211 m | 3 |
| Petron Terminal | 6.80 m | 106 m | 1 |
| Brooke's Point | 5.40 m | 78 m | 2 |
| Staroil Sevenstar Terminal | 5.20 m | 91 m | 1 |
| Cruise Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Culion | — | — | 1 |
| Cuyo | — | — | 1 |
| Shell terminal | — | 89 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2021Approach
The entrance to Puerto Princesa has a minimum width of 1,500m between the reefs on either side. Tidepole Point in line with Mount Beaufort, bearing 311°, just clears the reefs on the S side, but it should not be used as a leading mark for entering the harbour.
A beacon, 8m in height, stands on the coastal bank close W of Bancaobancaon Point. There is a depth of 2.7m, 0.5nm W of this beacon, with a small ruined pier close inshore. A 3.3m shoal lies approx 0.55nm ESE of Tidepole Point. Three mooring buoys are positioned approx 0.3nm WSW of the same point.
Saguit Inlet and Abucayan Inlet, both fringed with mangroves, are situated on the S side of the entrance. The navigable channel at the entrance to Abucayan Inlet is only 200m in width between the reefs on either side, which are clearly visible under favourable conditions. The inlet widens inside the entrance, but steep to reefs extend from either shore and local knowledge is necessary for safe navigation.
A shoal, with a depth of 1.5m over it, lies on the W side of Abucayan Inlet, 0.7nm SW of Heron Point; a pile marks its E edge. A turning semicircle with 500m radius is on the port side of entrance channel when approaching berths.
Anchorages
There is an anchorage 0.2nm N of the pier head, in depths from 16.0m to 18.0m, mud; it is well protected and is recommended as a good typhoon anchorage.
Designated anchorage grounds:
Quarantine Anchorage (not infected)
Latitude 09° 44'08.0"N, Longitude 118° 42'58.0"E
Quarantine Anchorage (infected)
Latitude 09° 43'04.9"N, Longitude 118° 44'01.0"E
Loading Anchorage/Waiting for Berth
Latitude 09° 44'52.0"N, Longitude 118° 43'27.0"E
Lay-Up Anchorage (Below 5,000 GT)
Latitude 09° 44'02.9"N, Longitude 118° 43'04.15"E
Lay-Up Anchorage (5,000 GT and Above)
Latitude 09° 43'18.0"N, Longitude 118° 43'29.0"E.
Tugs
There are tugs available and arranged through the local agent.
Mooring
Vessels are not allowed to berth or shift berths without applying to the Puerto Princesa authorities.
Charts and publications
BA 2914, 967. Admiralty Pilot NP33.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
To be sent 24 hours prior to arrival in order to file an application for berth/anchorage with Puerto Princesa operations authority. The application form may be secured from the authorities office.
Notice of arrival may be sent through telegram via RCPI, PT & T or by Tel: +63 48 433 2351, Fax: +63 48 433 2716.
Communications
VHF: The port is not equipped with VHF radio.
The use of frequencies above 161.500MHz is strictly prohibited by the authorities when vessels are in port.
Documents
Inward and Outward Manifests, Passenger Manifests and Crew Lists are required, including Oath of Master.
Cargo documentation: The Bill of Lading is needed in order to load/discharge cargoes. Payment of cargo handling fees and of wharfage fees is necessary before cargo can be loaded or released.
Health
If anyone requires vaccination contact: Medical Quarantine Officer, Tel: +63 433 2018.
Customs and immigration
Bureau of Customs, Tel: +63 48 433 2118, Fax: +63 48 433 4922. Immigration and Deportation Office, Tel: +63 48 433 2248, Fax: +63 48 433 2248.
Notices and regulations
No vessel is allowed to enter the harbour and manoeuvre for anchorage or berth without a Notice of Arrival, Anchorage or Berthing Permit on an approved form issued by the Philippines Port Authority.
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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC
Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.
Fax: +63 2 725 4787
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2013Repairs
Repairs onboard may be undertaken upon applying for a "Permit to Repair" from Puerto Princesa Authority and payment of the permit fee.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from PPA with a 24 hour notice. Delivery is via pipeline.
Bunkering: Available at Petron Corp, Petron Servicentre, Shell Puerto Princesa Depot, Pilipinas Shell. Service is also provided by Tomas Tan Shell Station - Tel. No. 433-2751 and CUL Gasoline Service Center - Tel. No. 433-5635
Medical
Puerto Princesa Provincial Hospital, Palawan Adventist Hospital, Savers Clinic and several private clinics.
Crew change
Not possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Puerto Princesa Airport, 3km from port.
Airport facilities: International connections.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours, subject to special arrangements but regular schedule is from 0800-1700hrs.
About Puerto Princesa
updated Jun 2021Where it is
Puerto Princesa is located on the SE coast of Palawan Island, 370nm from Manila.
The port
Puerto Princesa is a principal port of entry and a hub port for Palawan province, open to foreign and domestic container and passenger traffic. There are also five other terminals on Palawan operated by Puerto Princesa namely El Nido, Cuyo, Culion, Brooke's Point and Coron.
Imports: Bottled cargo, construction materials, general consumer goods and other finished products.
Exports: Marine and agricultural products, lumber, live animals, furniture, coconut products and other raw materials.
Traffic
Approx 8,000,000t of cargo, 86,000TEU, 6,000 vessels and 300,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Puerto Princesa
Where does the pilot board at Puerto Princesa?
The pilot boards at Puerto Princesa boarding position 1 (inbound), 09°43.5′N 118°43.4′E. Puerto Princesa has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Puerto Princesa in?
Local time at Puerto Princesa is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Puerto Princesa?
The deepest berth listed is at Puerto Princesa: 7.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Puerto Princesa?
1025.
Which load line zone is Puerto Princesa in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Puerto Princesa?
Port State Control at Puerto Princesa: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto Princesa?
The UN/LOCODE of Puerto Princesa is PHPPS.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Puerto Princesa 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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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.