Talcahuano

1. Talcahuano ZEP 1 – pre-pilotage waiting area (circle 5 cables, 2 M N of Isla Quiriquina) Pilot boards36°34.0′S 073°03.0′W
2. Talcahuano ZEP 2 – pilotage waiting area (circle 2 cables, 1 M SE of Isla Quiriquina) Pilot boards36°39.0′S 073°02.0′W
3. Talcahuano ZEP 3 – national vessels to ASMAR / TTP (circle 1 cable, 1 M E of Faro Belén) Pilot boards36°41.5′S 073°03.0′W

Size limits

LOA 185m and draught 8.4-9.3m, depending on the tide.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Tides

Range 0.60 to 1.00m.

Flow: In winter, particularly during wet weather, strong N winds may create a current which sets W along the head of Bahia Concepsion, then N across the entrance to Puerto de Talcahuano.

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

Approach

Boca Grande is the recommended route for entry to the port with a depth of over 30m.

Boca Grande is entered between Punta del Faro, (36°36'S 073°03'W) and Morro Loberia, 2.5nm ENE; it is recommended that cargo vessels and others without local knowledge should use Boca Grande rather than Boca Chica.

A Traffic Separation Scheme has been established in Boca Grande, the max speed in Boca Grande is 20kts.

From the S end of the S bound traffic lane, 36°38.5'S 073°01.8'W, the recommended approach to Puerto de Talcahuano leads SSW, with the E edge of Morro Talcahuano open E of Banco Belen Light 2nm NE bearing more than 212°; so as to pass E of a buoy moored off the N edge of Banco Belen.

Vessels passing W of Banco Belen should keep W of a buoy moored off the N edge of the shoal, then keep midway between Rompeolas Marinao and a buoy marking the W edge of Banco Belen, reducing speed as necessary to the convenience of vessels alongside in the dockyard.

From E, the recommended approach leads well clear of Banco Isla de Los Reyes; passing at least 0.2nm N of the buoy moored on the N edge of the bank; 1nm SSE of Banco Belen.

An approach channel to Espigon de Atraque Frigorifico is indicated by the alignment 240° of private leading lights exhibited occasionally from the roof of Emporchi refrigeration plant, near the N extremity of the mole, 36°42.6'S 073°06.3'W:

Front light: Square red metal plate;

Rear light: Metal post with triangular topmark, red with green bands 6m in height.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage: Situated 0.7nm S of Banco Belen Light.

Explosives anchorage: Situated 0.9nm S of Banco Belen Light.

These anchorages are near Banca Isla de Los Reyes, which extends 0.3nm to 0.7nm offshore at the head of Bahia Concepcion; a buoy is moored 0.5nm ESE of the explosives anchorages off the N edge of the bank.

Recommended anchorage: In order to avoid fouling the approach to the berths in Puerto de Talcahuano, vessels anchoring outside the port area should do so S of a line extending in an 069°-249° direction through a position 0.5nm SE of Banco Belen Light.

Tugs

Compulsory, six tugs available, from 950hp up to 3,060hp.

Charts and publications

BA 1319, 3074. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 48 hours prior to arrival. The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Communications

Radio: Messages can be sent via Playa Ancha Radio (callsign "CBV") Valparaiso which works throughout 24 hours on 500mHz and work on 8522kHz and 16663kHz. Port Radio 2182 and 2738kHz.

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 09 and 14, available 24 hours.

Information Service: Ch 16, Shipping movements, anchorage and safety area, recommended navigation route, meteorological conditions, local Notice to Mariners.

Standard messages

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine must be authorised.

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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Repairs and salvage facilities of all kinds available in the Naval Dockyard.

Dry docks

There is a ship building slipway for vessels up to 50,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Alongside: Shell, Esso, Copec at San Vicente Port. By road tanker or barge. Copec can deliver diesel at 50m³/hr and LMFO at 50tph by road tanker.

Medical

Naval Hospital, 4.0km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Carriel Sur International Airport located at Concepcion, 12.7km.

Airport facilities: There are 4 flights to the capital daily. Limited air cargo service.

Nearest railway: Sistema Ferrociario Talcahuano-Concepcion.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Talcahuano is situated in the SW corner of Concepcion Bay.

The port

Reports indicate that the general cargo jetty infrastructure was mostly destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.

The port, well protected from all winds and swell, consists of a commercial and fishing port. In the N part of the bay there is a Chilean naval base and the ASMAR shipyard. Merchant vessels may be berthed at certain wharves in Puerto Militar and foreign vessels may use shipyard facilities. The entrance to the port is divided into two channels by Quiriquina Island. The main commercial port traffic handled general, ore, bulk and Ro-Ro traffic. Some STS transfers are carried out in the bay.

Where does the pilot board at Talcahuano?

The pilot boards at Talcahuano ZEP 1 – pre-pilotage waiting area (circle 5 cables, 2 M N of Isla Quiriquina), 36°34.0′S 073°03.0′W. Talcahuano has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Talcahuano in?

Local time at Talcahuano is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the water density at Talcahuano?

1025.

Which load line zone is Talcahuano in?

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Talcahuano?

Port State Control at Talcahuano: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Talcahuano?

The UN/LOCODE of Talcahuano is CLTAL.

What crews who called at Talcahuano 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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