Subic Bay

1. Port Olongapo (Subic Bay) pilot boarding Pilot boards14°46.5′N 120°12.8′E

Size limits

LOA 347.11m, beam 41.39m, draught 13m, 66,508DWT.

Water density

1022.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

Tidal streams: Streams in Subic Bay are variable and generally weak.

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

Approach

When entering Subic Bay from a position approx 3nm S of Sueste Point (14°45'N 120°11'E), steer 015° through the entrance, passing midway between Grande Island and Macmay Point. The recommended track should be followed or proceed as requisite for allocated anchorage.

Having passed between Grande Island and Macmany Point, alter course to 051° when the NW extremity of Grande Island bears 132°, distant 0.6nm. When on this course "A" Lightbuoy (black and whited stripes), moored 0.9nm NW of Cubi Point, will be found almost in line with Kalaklan Point Light Tower. Then pass close S of "A" Lightbuoy and steer E for the dock area. The harbour has a natural depth of 15m.

Port limits

6nm from shore to Grande Island.

Anchorages

Ore Fabrica (FTS): Anchored in position 14°49.392'N 120°14.766'E for ship to ship transhipment of iron ore.

Anchorage is prohibited in the channel.

Restrictions

Grande Island, Chiquita Island (14°46'N 120°14'E) and the waters within 460m of them constitute a restricted area at night. Vessels should not enter these areas except in an emergency.

Tugs

Seven tugs are available with fire fighting capabilities.

Two tugs used for STS mooring of ballasted ore vessels to alongside Ore Fabrica.

Charts and publications

BA 983, 4491 & 4492 Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio room Tel: +63 47 252 4882, available 24 hours. Harbour Master Tel: +63 47 252 4473.

VHF: Subic Port Control: Ch 16, 74.

SSEI Radio: Ch 16; 68.

Pilot Channel: 16.

Keppel Shipyard Channel: 16, 68.

Documents

For tankers only: Vessel's owner and/or Masters should fax the above documents to the agent in Manila, min of 48 hours prior to a vessel's arrival at Subic Bay.

Customs and immigration

All vessels must comply with Philippine Entry Customs and Quarantine Regulations before permission to enter can be granted. Subic is a Port of Entry. Customs Guard boards the vessel when berthed.

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel is supplied by Coastal Subic Bay Terminal (CSBT), a private company located at the Pol Pier, which has 6 fuel loading stations. Road tankers can be arranged for bunker fuel, but requires advanced notice to CSBT.

Medical

There are hospital and clinics facilities in Olongapo City.

Transport

International and domestic flights from Manila, approx 150km.

Working hours

Port operates throughout 24 hours a day. Office working hours between 0800-1600hrs.

For container and general cargo, handling is carried out in two shifts. First shift between 0800-2000hrs, lunch break from 1200-1300hrs. Second shift between 2000-0800hrs and meal break from 0000-0100hrs.

Where it is

The seaport of Subic Bay is located SW of Luzon Island.

The port

Port of Subic covers a total of 41ha. The port handles bulk fertilizers, bulk grain, general cargo, passenger / cruise ship, and container.

The deep water harbour is sandwiched by the Zambales Mountain Range at the E and the Subic Bay at the W and opens to the South China Sea. It is NW of Bataan Peninsula and SW of Zambales Province. The former US Naval base can handle post Panamax container vessels of 4,900TEU at new terminal at Cubi Point, also bulk fertiliser, grain general cargoes and passenger/cruise ships. There is a 240ha Hanjin Shipbuilding yard on the W side of the bay.

Ore Fabrica: A converted 284,000DWT tanker is anchored in the bay to carry out iron ore transhipments from Vale vessels arriving from Brazil. Smaller vessels will load from Ore Fabrica to discharge in Chinese ports.

Traffic

Approx 7,052,000t of cargo, 200,103TEU and 3,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Subic Bay?

The pilot boards at Port Olongapo (Subic Bay) pilot boarding, 14°46.5′N 120°12.8′E.

What time zone is Subic Bay in?

Local time at Subic Bay is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Subic Bay?

The deepest berth listed is at Leyte Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Subic Bay?

1022.

Which load line zone is Subic Bay in?

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Who carries out Port State Control at Subic Bay?

Port State Control at Subic Bay: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Subic Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Subic Bay is PHSFS.

What crews who called at Subic Bay 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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