PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
San Ciprian
Pilot
updated May 2010- San Ciprian boarding — all other vessels Pilot boards43°43.5′N 007°26.9′W
Compulsory for all vessels over 150GT.
There are 2 pilot boarding areas:
Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes of 200t or more, or, over 10,000GT in position 43°44.0'N 007°26.6'W.
Vessels from 5,000-10,000GT at 43°43.6'N 007°26.8'W.
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
LOA 240m, beam 36.0m, draught 12.5m, 62,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.5m to 4.1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoa Terminal | 12.50 m | 240 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2015Approach
The port has two access channels, both marked with leading lights.
To enter the N channel vessels should make a course of 202° from sea, leaving the Farallones Islands to port, channel length 1,800m, width 200m, depth 17.0m LLW.
Vessels may also use the E channel steering 271° from the sea and leaving the Farallones Islands on the starboard side, channel length 2,300m, width 200m, depth 11.3m LLW.
Between the breakwaters, the entrance to the port has a width of 270m with a depth of 20m LWST. The breakwater heads are marked by lights and a foghorn is located on the S breakwater head.
Restrictions
Vessels of max dimensions for the port may only manoeuvre during daylight and with HW.
Vessels of 12,000-62,000DWT may only manoeuvre during daylight; vessels below 12,000DWT may proceed at any time.
Tugs
Two tugs of 1,900hp and 2,400hp are contracted by Alumina Espanola SA to serve the port. In addition to the above tugs there is another to assist large vessels. Tugs are compulsory for all vessels over 2,000GT and compulsory when judged necessary by the Port Authority.
Charts and publications
BA 1122, Spanish 4081, Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
All vessels are requested to contact San Ciprian pilots, or San Ciprian Port Control, on VHF Ch 16 or 14, two hours prior to arrival at the pilot station to confirm ETA and to receive instructions about berthing and operations.
Communications
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16 and 14.
Pilots: Tel: +34 981 353527, Fax: +34 981 353199.
Port Authority: Tel: +34 981 338000, Fax: +34 981 338001.
Health
There is no health authority in the area, the nearest is at La Coruna. Vaccination or renewal of certificates is not possible.
Inspections
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: Puertos del Estado (Ministerio de Fomento)
Title: Coordinador de Proteccion Portuaria
Address: Av de la Marina, 3, 15001, A Coruna, Spain
Tel: +34 98 121 9618
Fax: +34 98 121 9607
Mob: +34 630 957875
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Oct 2015Repairs
There are no major facilities at the port. None of the berths are dedicated for repair work. Should maintenance or repairs be required proper notice should be given to the Port Authorities.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Not available, small quantities can be supplied by road tanker from La Coruna.
Stores: Stores may be delivered to vessel by road. Loading of stores may be restricted during cargo operations.
Medical
Universitario A Coruna Hospital, 128km and La Rosaleda Medical Center, 184km.
Crew change
Normal service of crew replacements according to standard EC regulations.
Transport
Nearest airport: La Coruna Airport located at A Coruna, 124km and Santiago de Compostela Airport located at A Coruna, 174km.
Nearest railway: San Ciprian City (3km).
Working hours
Normally 0800-2359hrs. Bulk cargoes may be handled throughout 24 hours.
About San Ciprian
updated Apr 2020Where it is
San Ciprian (also known as San Cibrao) is located on the Spanish NW coast, approx 16km E of Estaca de Bares Point.
The port
This private port serves the local alumina plant. It imports raw materials and exports the finished goods. The port is part of the Ferrol-San Cibrao Port Authority.
The port is well sheltered by two breakwaters. One in the N part, 935m in length, leading ESE and another in the S part with a length of 1,130m, leading NNE, on which are situated the piers.
Traffic
Approx 5,900,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about San Ciprian
Where does the pilot board at San Ciprian?
The pilot boards at San Ciprian boarding — all other vessels, 43°43.5′N 007°26.9′W.
What time zone is San Ciprian in?
Local time at San Ciprian 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 San Ciprian?
The deepest berth listed is at Alcoa Terminal: 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at San Ciprian?
1025.
Which load line zone is San Ciprian in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at San Ciprian?
Port State Control at San Ciprian: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of San Ciprian?
The UN/LOCODE of San Ciprian is ESSCI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at San Ciprian 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.
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.