PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Santa Marta
Pilot
updated Aug 2017Compulsory for all vessels above 200GT. The pilot will board, by gangway, approx 0.4nm due SSW of the Morro Grande Light, at any hour, day or night. Pilot completes the berthing operation on arrival, or if required, vessels should anchor 0.5nm off the Morro Grande Light, in approx 46m and bearing 090° on the more S'ly of the 2 red flashing buoys near shore, which mark the 9m line.
Key data
updated Aug 2022Size limits
LOA 270m, beam 41m, draught 14.32m, 87,334DWT
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Terminal | 14.32 m | 270 m | 2 |
| Bulk Terminal | — | 200 m | 1 |
| Santa Marta International Terminal | — | 269 m | 2 |
| Breakbulk Terminal | 6.10 m | 61 m | 1 |
| Port Authority of Santa Marta | — | 60 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 Aug 2017Approach
Bahia de Santa Marta is approached from the W and entered between Isla El Morro (11°15'N 074°14'W) and Punta Gaira (Punta de Gaira on Chart 2267), 1.8nm SSW.
IALA buoyage system (Region B) is operational in the area.
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Good anchorage can be obtained in the bay in depths from 38m to 51m for vessels waiting for pilotage into port.
Restrictions
Vessels are limited to a speed of 6kts in Bahia de Santa Marta and a speed of 2kts off the quays.
Tugs
Compulsory for all vessels over 2,000GT. There are 8 tugs from 540-7,600hp available.
Charts and publications
BA 1276, 2195, 2267. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Initial ETA should be sent by the master or owners, 72 hours prior to arrival, to the port agent. Additional ETA's should be sent 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival or when any change in the ETA is envisaged.
The ETA message should include date and time of arrival (local time), arrival draughts (fore and aft), number of crew including master and any special requirements such as additional tugs, side preferred for berthing, etc.
Vessels should send ETA and request for pilot 24 hours in advance.
Communications
There is no radio station at Santa Marta, but in any event no direct notice to the port of arrival is required. Agents must be kept fully informed well in advance. There is a telephone service to Bogota and general agents there can be notified of any last minute changes by radio.
It is recommended to send messages direct to the agent by fax or telex. Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Port: Ch 16, 11. Email: [email protected].
Notice of readiness
Tendered as per Charter Party.
Health
There are no special health regulations but vessels arriving from the Caribbean must be fumigated on arrival. Pratique is granted on arrival by the port doctor. Radio pratique is not possible.
Rat guards are to be placed on all mooring lines.
Ship Sanitation control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed at the port.
Customs and immigration
There are no special customs or immigration restrictions except that nationals of certain countries require Colombian visas.
Flags
Colombian flag and appropriate International Code flags are to be displayed. Penalty for non compliance will result in port clearance being delayed.
Inspections
ISPS
Designated Authority: Direccion General Maritima.
Contact: Jefe Division de Gente de Mar y Naves.
Address: Transversal 41 No 27-50 CAN, Bogota, Colombia.
Tel: +57 1 220 0490
Fax: +57 1 222 5152
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dimar.mil.co
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Aug 2017Repairs
Minor repairs only.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Santa Marta.
Transport
Nearest airport: Simon Bolivar International Airport approx 16km from the port. Daily air service to Barranquilla and Bogota, both of which are international airports.
Nearest railway: Santa Marta.
Working hours
Normally 0730-1130hrs, 1330-1730hrs and 1930-2245hrs.
About Santa Marta
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Santa Marta is situated on the Caribbean coast approx 50nm ENE of Barranquilla.
The port
Santa Marta is an expanding commercial port, with quays in a cove, forming an inner harbour at its NE end. There are seven berths available handling a variety of cargoes such as coal, containers, general cargoes, dry bulk and liquid cargo.
Traffic
Approx. 7,000,000t of cargo, 73,300TEU and 20,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Santa Marta
What are the pilot arrangements at Santa Marta?
Compulsory for all vessels above 200GT.
What time zone is Santa Marta in?
Local time at Santa Marta is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Santa Marta?
The deepest berth listed is at Coal Terminal: 14.32 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Santa Marta?
1025.
Which load line zone is Santa Marta in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Santa Marta?
The UN/LOCODE of Santa Marta is COSMR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Santa Marta 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.