Salina Cruz

1. Puerto de Salina Cruz pilot boarding place Pilot boards16°07.6′N 095°11.0′W
2. Salina Cruz Offshore Terminal SPM boarding place Pilot boards16°07.0′N 095°12.0′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 200m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.0m, 62,647DWT.

Offshore: LOA 275.6m, BCM 48.0m, draught 21.95m, 157,871DWT.

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

Range 1.52m.

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

Approach

The port is approached from the S or SW through the TSS. The outer access channel is 170m long, with a depth of 14.0m. A precautionary area has been established at the junction of the SW and S approach routes.

The outer harbour is entered from the SSE on the alignment of leading lights which lead between the breakwaters, approx 200m apart.

An channel, length 70m, width 50m and depth 10m (part of a dredging programme to deepen access) links the outer and inner harbours.

The inner harbour has an area of 300m x 185m, with a max depth of 11.7m at Berth No 04. (Note - some reports indicate max depth may be less in this part of the port. Vessels are advised to check latest depths, following implementation of a dredging programme). Two quays line the southern part of the inner harbour, one to the West and to the East, with vessels using the entry between these, 50m wide.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A traffic separation scheme has been established in the approaches to Salina Cruz. The scheme is composed of two geographical locations:

SW Approach: Recommended for oil tankers proceeding to, or coming from the 3 single point moorings or the oil terminal.

S Approach: Recommended for ships of over 500GT arriving at or leaving the port of Salina Cruz.

This scheme has been approved by IMO and Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea applies.

Radar: VTS use radar to monitor the approach of vessels.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained in the outer harbour, good holding ground, or outside the breakwaters E of the leading line and more than 0.5nm offshore, moderate holding ground. Anchorage is prohibited within 0.75nm of the tanker mooring buoys and between the moorings and the coast.

Restrictions

A Restricted Area, radius of approx 600m, is centred around each of the SPMs. Entry into these zones is prohibited without prior permission from the VTS Center in Puerto de Salina Cruz.

Berthing is allowed in daylight hours only in the inner and outer harbours.

Offshore: Mooring during daylight hours only; unmooring unrestricted.

Every year, from the month of Oct through to Feb, the port area may be affected by strong N'ly winds and, because of the small manoevring area within the inner harbour, restrictions as to minimum draught and LOA may be in operation during these months. Vessels should check with the Port Authority for the latest information on these restrictions.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 1940 and 1023. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).

US 21441. US Sailing Directions No 153 (West Coast of Mexico and Central America).

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

Repairs

Available.

Dry docks

There is a drydock at the NW end of the inner harbour, owned by the Federal Government (Navy) with a length 202.4m, width 24.2m, max draught 4.5m and a capacity of approx 21,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at quay and by barge at SPM.

Bunkering: Available from Pemex in the inner and outer harbour berths and by barge at the offshore facilities. Bunkers to be ordered in advance.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital General de Pemex, 6.6km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tapachula International Airport (TAP), 481km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Salina Cruz is situated at the head of the Gulf of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca on the S coast of Mexico.

The port

The port area consists of an inner and outer harbour handling break bulk and liquid bulk cargoes, with an additional sheltered Tanker Harbour to the west with two CBMs, and three offshore SPMs.

The Inner Harbour (Darsena) offers good shelter from all directions, with two substantial quays lining the south side. The outer harbour (Antepuerto) is protected by two breakwaters; the east is 650m in length (a curved 'L' shaped) and the west is approx 330m in length. From seaward, the entrance to these areas is approx 200m wide.

Leading South from the Western breakwater, is the Eastern breakwater (1753m long) of the Tanker Harbour, looking out over Bahia de Salina Marques. Facilities consist of a wide long trestle dock with two CBM areas either side. To the West of this is another shorter breakwater, 425m long, which helps to stop shifting sands, and sediment deposition, from a sandy coastline.

The water depth in the inner and out harbours varies due to silting and dredging is carried out on a regular basis.

Pemex owns and operates fuel and LPG facilities and an oil terminal at the Port, which is one of their largest petroleum installations on the W coast of Mexico. Crude oil and petroleum products are exported to Central America, S America, the W coast of the United States and the Far East.

Traffic

Approx 9,000,000t of cargo, 3,000TEU and 253 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Salina Cruz?

The pilot boards at Puerto de Salina Cruz pilot boarding place, 16°07.6′N 095°11.0′W. Salina Cruz has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Salina Cruz in?

Local time at Salina Cruz is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Salina Cruz?

The deepest berth listed is at Pemex Tanker Harbour (Bahia de Salina Marques): 21.95 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Salina Cruz?

1025.

Which load line zone is Salina Cruz 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 Salina Cruz?

Port State Control at Salina Cruz: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Salina Cruz?

The UN/LOCODE of Salina Cruz is MXSCX.

What crews who called at Salina Cruz 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 Salina Cruz →