Tagbilaran

1. Tagbilaran pilot boarding place Pilot boards09°39.6′N 123°49.5′E

Size limits

LOA 199.98m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.5m, 61,664DWT.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean and diurnal tide ranges are 0.8m and 1.2m respectively. The mean tide level is 0.5m.

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

Approach

Tagbilaran: There is a dredged channel through the reefs from the entrance of the harbour to the anchorage area off the pier.

The entrance channel is marked by Tagbilaran Light on the N side and by light beacons.

Balamban: Entered between Mamboycayan Point and Balamban Point, 1.5nm N. A light (white metal tower, 10m in height) is exhibited from the beach fronting the town.

Anchorages

Tagbilaran: Outer anchorage lie seaward of the coral bank that obstruct the harbour 0.175nm NW of and 0.15nm SW of No 1 Light Beacon, marking the N side of the seaward end of the dredged channel.

Jagna:

Anchorage, protected from the NE monsoon, may be obtained 0.35nm off the beach in 16.5m mud.

Jetafe:

Anchorage may be obtained in 3.7m approx 0.5nm offshore. Alternative anchorage may be obtained 2nm N of Ubay in 6.0m, mud.

Talibon:

Turning basin, anchorage and fairway is the open sea. Anchorage can be found, 1nm NE of the town in 5.5m mud, but is not recommended as the depths are unreliable due to silting and the use of fish traps.

Tubigo:

The port can be approached from the W or NW. Anchorage may be obtained in the area close W of the pier head in depths of 5.5-9.0m, mud.

Restrictions

A causeway crosses the S entrance into Tagbilaran harbour connecting Bohol to Penglao Island. There are three bridges in the causeway.

Tugs

There are 2 x 300hp tugs available from Bohol Pilots Association.

Charts and publications

BA 3827, 4473, 4429. Admiralty Pilot NP33, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be advised 36 hours prior to arrival for tramp vessels and 24 hours prior to arrival for liner vessels.

Communications

Port and Pilots: VHF: Ch 16.

Tel: +63 38 4112519, Fax: +63 38 4112511, Email: [email protected].

Health

There are no health regulations for domestic vessels. Foreign vessels should contact the Bureau of Quarantine.

A quarantine anchorage has been established 0.35nm SW of No1 Light Beacon.

Customs and immigration

Attend from Cebu City.

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

A workshop with welding equipment for minor repairs is available.

Dry docks

Balamban has a large shipyard with fitting out quays and building drydocks, 4km SW from town.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Provisions are available.

Sub-ports:

Jagna: Fresh water is available nearby but provisions are scarce.

Talibon: Fresh water, bunkering and provisions are available.

Tubigon: Fuel oil is available but limited provisions.

Medical

Tagbilaran: A hospital is located nearby.

Jagna, Talibon and Tubigon all have medical facilities located nearby.

Transport

Tagbilaran City Airport, approx 1.5km.

Where it is

Tagbilaran is situated on the SW side of Bohol Island, overlooking Penglao Island, in central Philippines.

The port

The port is the main fast ferry port from Bohol to Cebu and other cities in Visayas and N Mindanao.

Tagbilaran consist of a modern multipurpose terminal, handling break bulk, bulk and containerised cargo. It is a baseport with a number of sub-ports located at:

Balamban.

Jagna:Consisting of a port area of 6,500m² and a causeway 106m in length connecting the pier to the mainland. The port has regular inter-island vessel calls.

Jetafe.

Talibon. Handling passenger traffic to Cebu City.

Tubigon:Handling passenger traffic to Cebu City.

Ubay:The port has a total area of 3,726m² and a causeway 496m x 7.5m.

Catagbacan:known as Loon Port, a small port being considered as a cruise ship terminal.

Only small vessels can dock at five of the sub-ports. Jagna is the exception and can accommodate larger vessels.

Traffic

Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 36,000TEU, 14,000 vessels and 1,400,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Tagbilaran?

The pilot boards at Tagbilaran pilot boarding place, 09°39.6′N 123°49.5′E.

What time zone is Tagbilaran in?

Local time at Tagbilaran is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Tagbilaran?

The deepest berth listed is at Bohol Mine: 10.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Tagbilaran in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Tagbilaran?

Port State Control at Tagbilaran: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Tagbilaran?

The UN/LOCODE of Tagbilaran is PHTAG.

What crews who called at Tagbilaran 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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