Sete

1. Sete boarding — good weather Pilot boards43°22.5′N 003°47.0′E

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 260m, beam 40m, draught 14m, 82,648DWT.

Off Shore: LOA 225m, 51,488DWT.

Water density

1027.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

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

Approach

Harbour entrances:

Passe de l'Ouest, the W entrance, is partly blocked by a mole extending nearly 0.1nm S from Mole Saint Louis, a light structure (red cylinder, triangular support), 7m in height, standing on the S end of the mole. Entry is confined to small craft with a max draught of 2.5m.

Passe de l'Est, the main entrance, lies between Epi Dellon and Digue Est which extends for 1.0nm S from the shore. The extremities of these moles are marked by white light structures with red and green tops respectively. Within the entrance the N side of the channel is marked by a lightbuoy, moored 0.3nm WSW of the head of Digue Est and by two light structures, which are floodlit, situated 0.3 and 0.6nm respectively, further WSW. The E approach to the harbour and the outer part of Passe de l'Est, are dredged to a depth of 14.5m.

Directions: Pass S of the seaward ends of the oil berths, then approach Passe de l'Est with Mole Saint Lois Light structure in line with Mont Sete Light structure bearing 263°, which leads into the channel.

Depths may not always be maintained in the dredged areas, for latest information contact Port Authority.

A compulsory approach and departure route for tankers is in operation, between the SBM and a lightbuoy (safe water, whistle), moored 145.5° distance 9nm. Inbound tankers should keep NE of the centre line and outbound tankers should keep SW of it.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available in an area, bounded to the N by the breakwater (Brise-Lames) and Epi Dellon and on W and E respectively, by the meridians of the W extremity of the breakwater and the E extremity of Epi Dellon. Bottom is sand and mud with good holding except in SE winds.

Tankers should use the anchorage described above or the S half of the restricted area (permission to be obtained from harbour master). No more than one tanker exceeding 100,000DWT may use the latter anchorage at any one time.

Anchorage is prohibited within 1nm of the pipeline laid from North Berth NNE to the shore at Frontignan.

Restrictions

Vessels drawing 7.0m can pass the bridges of the Maritime Canal and come alongside the quays. The commercial harbour in the Maritime Canal is restricted to vessels of max LOA 140m and beam 20m.

Tugs

Thomas Services Maritime (TSM) provides harbour towage and rescue at the port of Sete. They also provide assistance for ships during berthing/unberthing. TSM operates three tugs manned by three crews of four men.

Charts and publications

BA 2114, 8241, 1705. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice should be given again 1 hour prior to arrival to Sete Port Traffic, via VHF Ch 12, giving: Request for permission to enter and ETA to be referred to Alfa Buoy.

Communications

VHF: Port Control: Ch 12.

Pilot Office and Pilot Vessel: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +33 4 67 74 34 06, Email: [email protected].

Standard messages

Confirmation of arrival. Eventual gas free confirmation in case of OBO.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Last 3 ports in reverse order; date of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate; Interco "ZT" and "ZS".

Customs and immigration

Usual regulation for cigarettes and spirits.

Seaman's Book and/or passport must be available onboard for presentation to the Immigration department.

Flags

Flags to be displayed: During bunkering "B" flag and on arrival "Q" flag.

Notices and regulations

All vessels must contact Sete Port Traffic before entering port limits or anchoring.

No vessel may enter port limits or anchor in VTS area without permission from Sete Port Traffic.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Where it is

Sete is situated on the S coast of France in the Gulf of Lion.

The port

Sete is a deep water harbour, well protected from the swell by an E/W orientated breakwater, 2.4km in length, with the entrance in the E sector. It is also a port of refuge. The harbour is linked to the hinterland by a motorway, railways and a waterway.

The port handles container, dry bulk cargo, breakbulk cargo, liquid terminal, passenger and Ro Ro facilities.

Traffic

Approx 3,800,000t of cargo (including 81,600t of coal) and 7440,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Sete?

The pilot boards at Sete boarding — good weather, 43°22.5′N 003°47.0′E.

What time zone is Sete in?

Local time at Sete 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 Sete?

The deepest berth listed is at Quay H: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sete?

1027.

Which load line zone is Sete in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Dec 16 to Mar 15, Summer Mar 16 to Dec 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sete?

Port State Control at Sete: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sete?

The UN/LOCODE of Sete is FRSET.

What crews who called at Sete 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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